Recife, Brazil, Day 55

Recife, Brazil's fourth largest city with a population of over 4 million people, was founded by the Portuguese in 1537. As with it's neighbor to the south, sugar cane was and is their economic staple. Though it is no longer their largest grossing export, it is still way up there in economic importance. In some language or other Recife means reef which is totally appropriate for this location as large numbers of reefs dot the shoreline. Two rivers converge here as they enter into the Atlantic. In 1537 when the Portuguese came and built this settlement, I can only imagine how absolutely, strikingly beautiful it was. Sadly, as we humans tend to do, we have done our dead level best to ruin it! Those two once beautiful rivers were strewn with liter of every kind from bank to bank. Okay, this was at low tide so there was a lot of marsh land exposed that would not have been visible at high tide, but still I do believe that I could have walked across those rivers 50 pounds ago. What a shame!

As we were walking through the port terminal, we were greeted with music and dancing. All of Brazil has a local cultural with their own brand of music and dance. In the beginning it was a form of communication among the slaves. Over the years it has simply become each area's traditional way of expressing themselves and retaining a very special part of their heritage.

Another example of the Dutch influence dating back to the 16th century adorns a wall inside Se' Cathedral (maybe?).

Off to school we go.

It must be lunchtime. Couldn't help but notice the kids inspecting the contents of their lunch bag and trading one thing for another. Some things are universal are they not?

According to the tour description we were to visit Golden Chapel & Church in Recife, then board several minivans for our trip to Olinda. The streets of Olinda are cobblestone from several centuries ago, thus our huge tour bus could not fit. Once in Olinda we visited Se Cathedral, enjoyed some free time for photos, shopping and refreshments. etc. No mention of the schools which were a definite plus for me. I will confess, at this point in this trip having visited so many Cathedrals and Churches I cannot swear which is which. I can say with certainty that both were beautiful and one was in Recife and one in Olinda.

These views from atop the hill were spectacular. Post card views no doubt as were many others.

Early in our tour we passed along narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful wares including handmade lace. Sadly, there was no place to park or idle to allow shopping. I suppose these merchants were relying on foot traffic. When I heard handmade lace, I thought tatting. Perhaps there was tatted lace in those small shops, but once we arrived at the appointed "handcraft market" the photo below reveals their idea of handmade. Two guys sitting on a stone wall cutting out patterns in machine stenciled acrylic for table runners, clothes, and placemats which were selling like hotcakes. Not what I had pictured.

Once past the mouths of the rivers, Recife is a beautiful city and it's neighbor, Olinda, a 50 minute drive away is even more beautiful. Our tour in Olinda included a refreshment stop at a quaint little restaurant with an outdoor courtyard where we were served coconut juice/milk/?? straight from the shell and treated to another local traditional dance performance. Not only were the little umbrellas used to provide shade in the courtyard, they were also incorporated into the dance. (Not to mention they made excellent baskets for the collection of tips.) We were told that the umbrellas were originally incorporated into their native dance to conceal weapons within the handle. Clever!

Both Olinda and Recife are famous for their Carnival and consider it at least as good if not better than Rio. Everyone who is or was anyone has been to Carnival in Olinda and eaten at this their most famous restaurant. Our guide rattled off a long list of entertainers and politicians who have dined herein. Elvis is the only name I have retained at this point.

Then we are safely returned to the ship after another beautiful day exploring the northern coast of Brazil.

Today Is Someday! Don't let it go to waste!