Benign solitude…
Day 11 Thu 9/9, Ilha Grande (Villa Abraao)
“When from our better selves we have too long
been parted by the hurrying world, and droop,
sick of its business, of its pleasures tired,
how gracious, how benign is solitude”
I’ve probably got it all wrong and can’t remember who wrote that. I had a day all to myself today. Woke up early to more tropical rain. Headed out on a 2 hour (each way) hike to Praia Dois Rios. It was still raining when I headed out at 10:00. It was a much easier hike than yesterday and the views, while beautiful, were not quite as stunning. It reminded of my visits to my aunt’s village in Kerala. It probably had to do with the fact that I was walking along a road that connects the two villages, Villa Abraao and Dois Rios. Yesterday was a much more conventional hike with the jungle right in your face. Here the views were what you’d see as a passenger in a vehicle.
A vehicle did pass me. I was wrong when I wrote that there are no vehicles in the village. There is a military police pst here. They have vehicles; there are ambulanes and I imagine vehicles that carry supplies. There are no passenger vehicles.
I had a couple of hours all to myself on the trail and it was quite a welcome change. I like big cities & I do like seeing people around. I enjoyed hiking with others yesterday, but it was lovely to be on my own. There was just a couple at the beach when I got there. In the time I spent at the beach, 8 more people showed up. On the way back, I passed about 7 people, but still had a lot of time to myself.
I like beaches, but I am not a beach person. I like the sand, the water, the views across the water, the sound of the waves, and the women in bikinis. However, after a while I get restless and cant sit still at a beach. I have to get up and walk around. The beach was pretty, but my legs were egging me to walk after about an hour. Figured I’d update the blog while there is no queue at the computer. We have one computer with dial up for all the folks here. Dont plan to do much but lay down in my hammock, read, eat dinner and chat with travellers who are dime-a-dozen here!
There was a funny incident on the trail on my way back. I surprised a lady who was squatting down for a pee along the trail. I didnt see her till she screamed! I did the gentlemanly thing; turned and gave her a minute before heading back. Her husband, carrying a baby told me “Nao conosco” .. “I dont know her” as we exchanged our “boa tarde”s while she blushed and refused to look in my direction or return my greeting.
After dinner, I planned to go to my room and sleep like the old geezer that I am. However, my plans were scuppered and I ended up in a bar on the beach, under the stars, next to the waves and boats, drinking a suco de laranja naturais (natural orange juice). I dont like beer and didnt want to drink any alcohol since it slows me down. Last thing I need before a long hike! I havent had a glass of red wine since I left Seattle. I am saving up for Argentina and Chile.
Tags: Travel
Damu