domingo, 27 de maio de 2007

Parati… para mim!…

I wish we could all chose our last place on Earth to spend our own very last instants of this life the best way possible…

Sorry, I don't mean to be morbid at all. It's just that I've found myself some years ago pondering the possibility of definitely leaving Portugal and settling somewhere else for the rest of my days. I know I was only indulging myself with that characteristic we Portuguese like so much to call «universalism» of the Lusitanian soul – that strong inner voice calling us all one way or the other, sooner or later, to leave this western European strip of land, and to travel about in the world…

All in all, we may be about 200 million people speaking Portuguese, but the truth is wherever you go you're somehow bound to hear someone speak in Camoens's and Pessoa's idiom… It has happened to me! Quite far away from Belém, as a matter of fact, in North America, which is not that odd anyway, if you consider what emigration has meant in Portuguese culture ever since the 15.th century…

I've somehow fallen under the Brazilian spell. In the 50s an uncle of mine had left for Rio, and only some years ago he was still very much alive and kicking in his eighties, having a great time in São Paulo… So I guess I was destined to listen to the Brazilian call…


And then one day 'it' just came over me like a flood of unspeakable beauty!
It's Parati I would like to write about, but I'm not so sure whether or not I can. Not much, just an appetizer, for the photos speak for themselves. The colonial town lies on the Rio de Janeiro-Santos axe, on the Atlantic Ocean, on the shore of the magnificent Ilha Grande bay. The place is just what you may easily consider a paradise on Earth, and it has no less than 300 (!) enchanted beaches!

But there's somehow more to it than just its stunning beauty. When I first saw it in a movie I finally understood it: if I ever believed in reincarnation I most surely had to admit I've lived there before. Have I?


So now you see, Minge, what I meant when I answered 'yes' to your question about my ability of portraying myself living in Brazil. With just a slight difference: whereas you've been to Portugal already, I've never been to Brazil… Yet!

Just when I was trying to gather some more information about the place a few hours ago, here is what I've come across:

«International Literary Party at Parati
Quite a few well-known Portuguese speaking writers have been invited.
Sponsored by FLIP, great lexicographic electronic devices!
Next July 4.th to 8.th



Could I ever wish for a better place to be? I don't think so…
Oh if I only could…
Parati… for me!

I advise you to google 'Parati', and you'll come across some very interesting sites, a few of them with pages in English!

(Also meant as a dear homage to Carioca, , Ricardo, and all other Brazilian blogger friends.)

RIC

11 comentários:

Rui disse...

está tudo bem, obrigado. :)
um abraço*

RIC disse...

Ah, és tu! Sê bem-vindo, de novo!... Há já meses que nada sabíamos um do outro... Fico feliz por saber que estás bem!
Desejo-te o melhor, meu caro!
Até a uma próxima próxima! :-)

Anónimo disse...

Oi, Ric.
Por incrível que pareça, você acredita que eu nunca tive pessoalmente em Parati?! Mas todas as pessoas que eu conheço que já tiveram lá adoraram o lugar! Qualquer dia vou ver se passo por lá.rs
Grande abraço!

RIC disse...

Olá Carioca!
Pois é, creio que se passa o mesmo comigo... É certo o ditado que diz que «santos de casa não fazem milagres»...
Primeiro, vi um conjunto de fotos de uma amiga. Depois, tive a possibilidade de ver um filme. E foi amor à primeira vista!...
Espero que visites Parati em breve! Por mim...
Um abraço!

Anónimo disse...

Parati parece-me bem, mas olha que Olinda também não deve ser de deitar fora, eh eh eh...

RIC disse...

Olá João M.!
Ai parece-te bem para mim? Pois olha que a mim também! Rsrsrs! Há muito tempo...
Olinda também é um espanto. A diferença fundamental está no clima: fica mais a norte - junto a Recife - e é por isso bem mais quente.
Aliás, todas as povoações de arquitectura colonial são fascinantes, umas mais ainda que outras...
Para ti, uma excelente semana! :-)

kevin disse...

Do many Portuguese people go to live in Brazil? We dont get many Portuguese coming to live in New Zealand. Portuguese people are always welcome here along with all other EU people. My memories of Portuguese people are very good.

Come and live in the South Pacific Ric.

Kev in NZ

RIC disse...

Hello dear Kevin!
Well, nowadays not so many anymore, no, but just some decades ago, yes. Brazil is now more the kind of a vacation paradise.
As to Oceania/South Pacific, some years ago I've been close to move to Sydney or Melbourne, but then again my life here changed, and I eventually gave up that idea. If I had left for Australia I'm sure I hardly would ever be back... It's too far away... As a tourist I'd gladly go, but staying there wouldn't be easy...
I guess the same applies to New Zealand, dear Kevin... Maybe I'll visit you some day, who knows...
Once again, thank you so very much for your kindness!
Have a great week! :-)

T-Bird disse...

ohmygod some Brazilian men are so hot that my tongue melts just looking at them. Such a sexy scent…. Not sure of this is on topic. I suspect is is.

T-Bird disse...

PS: I see you linked on many of blogs there that I cruise thru looking for tasty things.

RIC disse...

Hello Will!
Oh but there are so many more! And most of them with good taste...
As to Brazilians, they are a Nature's wonder, no doubt about it!
You know, Will, the greater the mixture, the better the outcome! Scientifically proven! :-)