“The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go” – John Muir
The Mountains Called, We Answered Before it Went to Voicemail
A Lot About Intention
A Picture is Worth 3 Words – I Love You
The Mountains Called, We Answered Before it Went to Voicemail (By Da-V-Day)
It all started with a 8/infinite hour overnight bus ride at butt o’clock from Rio to Espera Feliz. This is what that looked like (pic on right)..impossible to sleep except for the guy right behind us who sounded like a bull frog for 92% of the trip.
We wore shorts on the bus as it had been hot in Rio and we were greeted in Espera Feliz around 4am by our friends Ari and Thalles in winter parkas, hats, and scarves. It was COLD…crisp! They then drove us through the bumpy countryside roads into the Caparao National Park area which is home for Ari and Thalles! It was super dark but the stars lit our way highlighting the silhouettes of the mountains, and we soon found ourselves at Ari and Thalles’ AirBnB guest house – Casa da Serra Caparao Instagram @casadaserracaparao – objectively the most gorgeous AirBnB in this galaxy.
We rested for a few hours as the sun came up before going with our gracious hosting friends out to the delectable local lunch buffet at Cantina da Tia Nena, and adulting/getting some groceries in the nearest town. Then, we were kids again liberated in the Caparao mountains for some exploring, hiking, waterfall chasing, and bathing in pure nature. It was intensely refreshing and the joy of Thalles and Ari was palpable to share their home sweet home with guests. They are truly the best hosts you could ever hope for – the most loving and fun couple you will meet, and so beautifully passionate about facilitating an authentic, remarkable, and memorable visit for us. We are so grateful for them (if you are reading this Ari and Thalles..thank you, thank you, thank you!) As we went around town with them we quickly learned that they were local celebrities (or they paid everyone to act like they were!) and it was heart-warming to see such a vibrant close-knit community that Ari and Thalles are a part of and actively contributing to its beauty. Later that day we had some great conversation as we sorted coffee beans together that were literally picked in their backyard, we relaxed and breathed in the mountains from some hammocks, and had a night fire to let the stars inspire our imagination and feeling of reconnection to this wild marvelous world.
The next couple days we fell in love with the flow of the mountain life – the ecstatic feeling of exploring the wilderness and jumping into refreshingly cold water of waterfalls in the park, the sweet delights of local Fred’s fresh and locally made coffee and the most incredible chocolate chip cookies, and the chance to slow down and connect with locals having our friends as our bridge for intercultural connection. It really is the simple things that sparkle in Caparao and the presencing in the moments that filled our days in Caparao with laughter, learning, reflection, rest, contentment, and solitude.
We were especially fortunate to attend the area’s Festa Junina which just happened to be on one of our nights visiting. It felt like the entire community turned out in all its festive energy to celebrate and we were treated to traditional Brazilian dance and animated traditional stories, festive treats and drinks, and even a mechanical bull/buttery poll was prepared for a climbing competition. Right in the middle of the awe-inspiring traditional dance, complete with couples in colorful coordinated outfits, a torrential rain storm came through and knocked out the power. We stood under an awning for a bit enjoying the comradery with everyone as the storm intensified and feeling the power of nature, the power of community, and the joy of being a part of it all wash over us.
A Lot about Intention (By Pidge)
Ahhh, Espera Feliz to Caparão. It felt so beautifully rural. The roads wrapped along the elevation where each turn exposed the immaculate views. The national park painted the background and the coffee farms colored the landscape. Greens & grays countering the red, brown and orange creating a beautiful masterpiece. Then many houses with fun yellows and blues bringing a sense of mystery into the picture that each house that protected people and families with stories and experiences. And we were just so lucky for the opportunity to be in one with a beautiful couple.
When we originally were planning Brazil, we had not planned for there, but with such an opportunity came the intentionality. I found myself thinking a lot about intention with every smile we met; It felt embodied there. Each person we were introduced to had a light about their purpose or an ambition for their passion. The park rangers for the Caparão National Park had a sense of protection for the park and nature. The local farming family was so giving to not only provide for their own family, but also the community. The owners of a local café were so loving with their family and coffee that they loved sharing it with others that shared that same love.
More personally, we were lucky enough to learn about our host/friends’ passions. Ari envisioned their place as a yoga and/or retreat haven where she shared her practice to help others. Thalles had planned to explore being a park guide to share his excitement about what Caparão could provide. (Happy to share that we have cheered them on while watching each grow into their passions).
That part of the trip honestly gave such a richer understanding of Ikigai. Although anyone can read the book, it takes a lot to understand and live to it. Being raised in the U.S. has a lot of privilege I am grateful for, but sometimes I do get saddened by the suppression of ‘living life with such a purpose’. Sometimes living in the U.S. feels more like we are playing a role in a playwright rather than actually experiencing the liveness of life which I appreciate Espera Feliz & Caparão for offering such perspective.
A Picture is Worth Three Words – I Love You
