To market, to market

March 2, 2013

It was a spectacular morning in town with the Brasilian crowds who rush off to work from areas far from the city. Vendors set up their artisan wares under white awnings before the stores open at 9:00am. Men sit around cement tables that have a checkerboard design painted over the top. Others crowd around to watch. The common Native Indian women lie on a colorful blanket with their children surrounded by carved animals that resemble monkeys, giraffes, tigers, anteaters, local birds and owls. Rattles and woven bracelets rim the area with baskets set in front for donations. Toddlers and infants scramble on the tiled street closed to cars. Pedestrians scuttle by without a glance at the women nor children.

I was off to hawk my last dollars. Men with fanny packs sit on the periphery of the cluster of banks on the main drag. In the past there were quite a few characters, today only two to choose from. I select and approach the man sitting on a child’s lime green chair on the corner. Feels a bit like a drug deal from the movies whispering price and quantity, money changing hands in the blink of an eye without much conversation. It is incredible how much cash in both dollars and reais this man carries on his waist. He couldn’t hold the folded bills in one hand.

Had time to kill before meeting up with my ride so I meander thru the multiple booths at the Praca Quinze selling everything from plastic trinkets, luggage, cookies, fish, wooden items, shoes, herbs, and all hanging from every imaginable space. Hard to absorb it all so I wander through the maze several times getting turned around while looking for the bathroom which costs R$1 to use. Pass through the turnstile and grab the wad of toilet paper from the antique woman sitting at her table collecting the coins. It is clean  as a whistle and calm, safe and cool in the wall-to-wall white tile.

A hit of dark rich sugar with coffee and munch on a cheesy roll at the nearby stand satisfies my hunger while I wait and look and absorb the culture that I so adore. A few hours of mingling makes me extremely happy and lighthearted. I will miss this place and do intend to return prior to ten years down the road.

Off to Blumenau this afternoon to be with the family for an overnight and lunch celebration of “mom’s” 76^th birthday.

It is hottish and windy for the few hours drive. An eating extravaganza with 95 Germans and me! It will certainly be another lesson in efficiency. I will take notes.