Say it back...

This is too good not to share....

Enjoy it!

Back home

After a crazy three weeks of vacations and traveling, I am now back home.  

It was fun, productive and at times, relaxing, but sometimes your bed, the comforts of home (of course enriched by a small trip to the US that brings some of that home with me) and just being able to do whatever I want....

happiness!

For all of those curious minds out there...

yes, I did find a house.  We will be making an offer on it, but it is a short sale.  Basically, short sales depend pretty much on the bank, and not the seller.  The bank has agreed to take a lesser price, to pay off the mortgage, I believe, to just finish with the loan.  The banks take their time in doing this.  They are not real estate agents, and they do not care that people are anxiously awaiting their answer....it is just another piece of paper to them, sitting on their to do list, waiting to get done.  What does all this mean?  Well, that I will not know if we have the house or not for a long time.  When I know, I will let you all know, deal?

The house is very pretty, re-done quite harmoniously.  I am a Libra, and balance plays a big role in my life.  This house has that balance.  The rooms are airy, plenty of light, and feel polished.  Of course, there are always small things that we would change...but overall, quite a nice house.  When I know if we get it, then I will post pictures.

The trip was short but very sweet.  The waters off Key West are beautiful.  The colors reminded me of our trip to the Maldives...always a good sign!

It was nice to come back and have my kids run to me when they saw me waiting for them at the end of their school day.  I missed them too...

so it was equally sweet for me!

Garmin, or How to still get lost even with a Garmin

I had the Garmin put into the rental car that I had to drive to Key West.  Not because of getting to Key West because that is pretty straight forward on the highways...more because on the way back, I wanted to stop in Miami at a few places to get a few things.

Well, I first got lost trying it out just leaving the rental car place to get on the highway to go to Key West.

I mean, c'mon...there is this seductive ladies voice telling me...

"in .5 of a mile bear left onto the ramp marked, blah, blah, blah..."

I bore left, but there wasn't any ramp, was there? then I hear

"recalculating"...

so I am then directed to go around in a circle, and the same thing happens again!

Too funny...I felt like at some point she was going to come on and say...

"what is wrong with you?  I told you to bear left onto the ramp!"

Then coming back today the same thing happened.  Only this time, I think I got lost 2 or 3 times...all I kept hearing was...

"recalculating"

Am I the only one getting lost even with a Garmin?!

At least it made me laugh, and then I just let her ramble on and actually just followed the signs around the airport that said: Rental Car Return.

Maybe our world is just too technically challenged now!

Well that's my story anyways :)

Talk to you when I get back to Brazil!

Key West

Here I am in The Conch Republic.

I flew into Miami and drove down to Key West.  The sun was still asleep when I started the drive, about a 3 hour drive.  As the sun started to peak onto the horizon, I noticed the sliver of moon and bright star right above it.  It was the coolest image, but my camera was in the suitcase in the trunk...and I was on a mission to get to the hotel.

After flying 9 hours, sleeping about 4 1/2 of it, and then having to drive, alone, for 3-4 hours...I just kept the beautiful sky in my mind and not on my camera!

So why am I here?  Am I crazy traveling AGAIN?

Well, yes...I am crazy, but mostly this is a fact finding mission. 

We are considering buying a house here in Key West.  

It is a great time for buyers, and a house is sounding really nice!

The trip has been worth it.  So far, I have seen two properties that are worth the trip...and one that we am seriously thinking of making an offer.

I have had the chance to enjoy Duval Street and all the crazy goings on that happen there...the tourist shops, the fortune tellers, the drunkards, Mallory Square at

 sunset, the great scallops I had last night for dinner!  (though I did quite a few looks while eating alone in a popular tourist destination!)

Anyways, I'll keep you updated and be back home on Monday!

Hope you all enjoy a great weekend!

Earth Day

The World is constantly changing.  

We can not change the evolution of the natural world, but we can try to limit the impact that we have on it.  We must coexist, therefore, we must find a way to coexist peacefully, without harming one another.

Happy Earth Day....

let's protect what we were given!

I know, same day posting but I gotta finish this!

On to Easter...

Ouro Preto retains a rich history mainly because of the Gold Rush in the 17th and 18th century...but there is also another history.

Holy Week.  On Good Friday, the churches began to decorate outside.  They place purple over the steps of the main church and have a procession following a mass and reading of the Passion of Christ.

  This picture shows the three crucified figures on the steps outside of the front doors, which they then took Jesus down and began their procession throughout the streets.

On Saturday evening begins the decoration of the streets themselves.  The houses hang carpets and flags from their windows 

and the people decorate the street with different figures in sawdust.  It almost wasn't sawdust, though I can't really name what it was, and all the books claim it is sawdust.

Some of the drawings are artistic, some fun, some relating to Easter and have a religious theme.... 

Some use templates, some draw with chalk...

They all have their own way of decorating.  This process takes most of the night....

and Sunday morning, the route for the procession after the Easter mass follows it's path.  It was amazing to see the street transformed overnight.

This section, in the foto below, was right in front of the church that gave the mass.  It is interesting, depending on whether it is an even or odd numbered year is what determines where the mass is held and what route is taken for the procession.

The procession involves many members of the community, retelling in their costumes and props, the stories of Jesus.  These little children really looked like angels and were absolutely beautiful!

It was an amazing experience to be there during this week.  So, no matter what bad was placed on us by the guide, we didn't let it ruin this chance to witness such an incredible city.

Where to start..

Ok, I have been away again and I am leaving again tomorrow..

I am not sure how to fit this all in?!

How about we back up and finish the trip to Ouro Preto first.

We left off with us going to the Gruta de Maquine.  This is an underground 

cavern that was discovered many, many years ago.  Periodically, there are rains that come down, but the whole thing has not filled completely in over 20 years.  It takes 8 days from when it rains to when the water actually starts seeping through.

There are small pools of water throughout.  This foto shows a pool of water that is reflecting the stalactites on the ceiling.

They even water it through an irrigation system because of the dust build up.  Now, what I never got answered is what the big deal about the dust building up is...purely for us tourists?  Whatever the reason it doesn't really matter because it is amazing to experience this cavern. 

The stalagmites and stalactites are enormous.  It almost seems as if you are entering into another dimension.

 They have also put lights inside so that we have a chance to glimpse this magnificent cavern.