Chapter Twenty Three: A little more about here... and there...

So, I got a wicked haircut last Saturday.
Went with my love to those 2 hairdresser, it was a blast and they gave me a fantastic haircut.
The problem is that, it is cold here in Curitiba.
Left, all happy, then went to a beer festival, had another great time, met a french canadian, drank and got a nasty flu.
Well done Serge!
Sunday, I was in bed with fever and shivers.
My favorite.
But today, I am way better.
Go figure.




The more I stay here, in Parana, the more I like it.
I finally got the battery for my camera that I had forgotten in Victoria -don't ask- , thank you to Athanasia who send it to me, and so, I have started to take some real pictures.
Not that I don't like my IPhone, but, it's kinda limited to take pics.....
So, here are some pics:

Organic life in Curitiba

Building in Curitiba

Buildings and sky in Curitiba

Street light in Curitiba

Wicked bus stop in Curitiba

It's interesting how, as a new comer, you see things that people don't see. In the meantime, as a new comer, you don't understand it.
However, Curitiba has that mix of everything and nothing as I have already said. However, I find most of the architecture very organic, the city is very much alive and not safe. This make it interesting to me, fascinating if I could. It forces me to come up with tricks to take pictures. For instance, all of those pics were taken from a car.
I am falling in love with the insane wire line there is everywhere.
Such perfect lines, made with no other purpose than being utilities wires. But somehow, it all mixes in some wonderful lines and curves, so well defined that it becomes difficult to see what is organic and what is not. Maybe, it all is, what do we know after all?


A couple of week ends ago, Silvia and I went to a wonderful island called Ilha do Mel, which means Honey Island. There is a lots of funny and goofy names here, like on our way there, 3 hours by bus or so, in some destroyed area, a large avenue was called Las vegas. I couldn't but smile at the absurdity of the world.
Anyway, when you get close to the island, you got to take a boat.
Not a ferry like we have in BC, but one of those old crappy boat that I like so much.
The ocean was some kind of blue green, just wonderful.
There, even though it is a super touristic place, it is out of season here, as it was still winter.
But it wasn't that cold.
Now, let me put one thing clear once and for all. Brazil is huge. And not the stereotype we think it is. So, where I live, it's cold. OK!!!!!!!! Everyone gets it?!!?!? it's c o l d !!!!!
The weather is kind of similar with victoria, with the exception than rain and heavy and short, and there is thunder and lightnings. Me luuuuuuuuuuuurve thunders and lightnings. :)
This said, Ilha do Mel wasn't that cold.
We got a fantastic bungalow just for ourselves, with a sort of amazing patchwork of things, but so nicely decorated, an incredible harmony I tried to absorb as much as I could.
We walked to the light house, the jungle and the immense beaches with no one in sight.
Perfect for us.
Food was good, and not too expensive, the people were simple and agreeable. Something I am not too use to. Or maybe, something I forgot, something I took for granted and stopped appreciating. Ah, there is always so much to learn.
And, well, Sil and I had some veeeeeeeeeeery good time there! :)
It is so good to see her so happy.
Then, we went back, took our big bus Greyhound style, and mid way, the bus had a flat. :|
This was amazing, but again, this is Brazil. And, the driver simply changed that enormous wheel, and we were back on our way back. I was stunned how this event was seen as normal there. People didn't even get of the bus, but I surely did to see the titan work that this task was. :)
Here are some pics:

Our boat

On the boat

Our hotel entrance

Our bungalow

Amazing beaches where we swam

Beach with the light house

Up to the light house

Serge happy

The empty hotel at night

More of the hotel at night

Our perfect hotel at night

On the way back

Simple love

So, it was just wonderful!




Now, let's do something new here, for fun and what's not. I have been thinking of adding more bla bla bla parts to my blog, like some rants that I like so much, :D, but to start, let's do a short movie review of the crap I have been watching recently. :D

1. The good, the bad and the weird

Well, Korean movies are getting better by the second. In fact, nowadays, I believe they are some of the best. Subtile, funny, and magnificently directed, a mix of western spaghetti and a lesson o history... Well, at least, one side of it. A good time!

2. It's complicated

What a piece of crap!

Don't get me wrong, I actually like romantic comedy quit a lot. But here we are, rich people with a perfect family and a view of the world that makes me sick. This is a complete imbecility. It valorizes cheating and once again, the individuality over the real meaning of what a couple is.

Don't lose your time. Read a good book!

3. Plein Soleil

Magnificent movie from René Clément, based on the book called Mr Ripley.

Does that reminds you of anything?

Admirable acting, cold and deep, gorgeous Alain Delon, and produced by Martin Scorcese back in 1960. A must see!

4. Police Python 357

Interesting movie, definitely inspired by Dirty Harris, I believe that, what Alain Corneau was trying to show was the hypocrisy of the french bourgeoisie in a province of France, in the city of Orleans.

Excellent acting by Yves Montand, as cold as a coal, fermé a double tour!

A little long from time to time, and maybe a little too slow.

5. A bout de souffle or Breathless

A french classic from La nouvelle vague or La nouvelle blague from Jean-Luc Godard.

Not a huge huge fan of la nouvelle vague, but this one, with Les 400 coups is still one of my favorite.

A must see, even just to see how the world has changed.

Chapter Twenty Two: Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

The sun rises, it looks like it is going to be a nice day.
The sky is some kind of yellowish blue and some weird birds are singing.
In half an hour, the sky covers itself with a cloudy blanket, and the temperature drops.
It is said that you really have four seasons in Curitiba, but all in the same day.
I smile and start my day.

Curitiba is quite an interesting city.
I got so used to the north american cities, that it is like a breath of fresh air to see something not overly organized and somehow sterile.
The patchwork, mix of everything and nothing would make some wonder what's really going on, but to me, it is alive. It's the people taking over the rules.
Don't get me wrong, some things are, hmmmm, absolutely horrific, but all in all, it's a blast.
Here are some of the buildings who attracted my eyes, followed by some interesting night shots.
Oh, by the way, I don't have access o my camera, so all of those shots, again, were taking with my Iphone.
I love that toy.

Building and Tree

Red Building

Red Line Building

Fake Art-Deco Building

Curitiba by Night

Electric Pole at Night

Gratifies in Curitiba

Art Museum in Curitiba

Sunset in Curitiba

You may have noticed that, all the electrics, cable, telephone wires and others are fully apparent.
Some would say, it is a blasphemy!
I'd say, this is unintentional art!
See what I mean??!?!

Amazing Wires in Curitiba's Sky

On Sundays, Elyka, Claudi, Silvia and myself have taken the habit of going places.
Last Sunday we went some places, roughly 40 km from Curitiba.
Claudi knows so many places, the man is really something else.
First, he brought us to a belvedere where you could clearly see as far as eyes can reach.
There, also, there was a fairly big statue of Jesus.
The sky was so blue, it was inspiring.
But, I'd rather let you be the judge.

Breath Taking View of Curitiba's Surrounding

The Secret Back of Jesus

Jesus and the Cable Tower

Then, we got back in the car, a VW Golf, and went to a river, a little further, where we had a lovely swim and a well deserve picnic.
The river was cold, but, as per Canadian standard, it wasn't that cold at all.
I am smiling while thinking about it.
It was absolutely delightful, and so gorgeous.
An old bridge was standing there, silent and reassuring.
When the sun started to set, the light turned all gold, and the colours became unreal.
The beauty of nature lays perfect, all our imitations we call Art reminds me of a child trying to learn how to use primary colours.
The best art is in the real.
Everything else, really, are just pale imitations of the perfection nature produces every day, and has been doing so for as long as the world as existed.
Pay your respect my friends.

River and Bridge

River

Little White Bridge and Water Reflection

Hills and the River

The Old Bridge and the River

Claudi and the Bridge

Sun Setting Down in the Trees

Sunset

Sunset and the Clouds

One of Silvia's uncle is an expert in the art of growing orchids.
I took a good thousand of pictures, but I am selfish, from time to time.
So, I will only share one, this time.

Orchids

Chapter Twenty one: Chosen reality

There is many ways to live one's life.

In our societies, it is the norm to follow the pack.

The one who tries a different path is easily and rapidly outcasted, followed by envy, judge and condemned.

But, the outcasts are the ones who bring the society to a new extend, a new dimension, they are the one who change the society.

Live your dreams.

Fear is there to be conquered.

Change the world by living your dreams.

At the age of 43, I choose to change my life, again, to create a chosen reality, to live my dreams.

On the 1st of September 2010, I moved to South America, a continent I had never been to, to Brazil, land of so many differences.

After many hours of traveling, many planes and many stories, I finally arrived in Curitiba, my new home town for the next 6 months.

Those type of things don't happen easily, they require work, commitment and courage.

But in the end, it is easier to act than to be silent and inactive.

In the end, there is just the experience one had in life.

Life is wonderful.

Mine is.

I have organized my life in Canada the best I could, prepared everything for my children to be well taking care of while I was away, and I left to join my wife that I missed so much.

I have been in Curitiba for 10 days now, and these are my first impressions of this immense country.

I had never been on the other hemisphere.

Everything people say is true.

The water in the sink really turn "backward".

The stars in the sky are brand new to me, exciting and marvelous.

All is new.

The language, the way people walk, the way the sun shines, the plants, the water, even the society.

Brazil is so very different.

And I already feel at home here.

I live with my wife's parents.

Both are amazing artists who are able to live from their art.

I do admire and respect that a great deal.

Her father, Mr. Davide Boriani http://www.davideboriani.com/ , is a major figure in Kinetic Art.

This is extremely inspiring to me, this opens my eyes.

Life is a very special thing.

It never seized to surprise me.

It changes me.

It fulfills me when I do what I am really meant to do.

They live in a massive and beautiful house filled with incredible artwork, a paradise for a guy like me.

My days are never the same, but we could say that, when i am not going to a farm or the jungle or in the city (Curitiba is a city of 3.5 millions people), my days goes this way.

I try to wake up as early as possible, 6 am is a time I like to get up.

I wash the dishes and have a real Italian coffee with cereals.

Then, i go study for about 2/3 hours, out of a book Marlene, my wife's mother found in their library.

I am learning Portuguese, which is a very challenging language.

I am most definitely back in grade 1.

However, after 10 days, I am starting to be able to read portuguese.

I do all the exercises very carefully, and I must admit that, I enjoy that a great deal.

Soon, it is time to cook. I help the best I can, and practice my poor portuguese with Marlene.

Then, we eat.

And, let me tell you, we do eat amazing food.

Silvia's father is Italian.

We eat a lots of italian food.

I eat like I have never eaten. I am most definitely going to gain weight, most definitely, which is a very good thing.

Now, this is one of the funniest thing ever:

While eating, I speak english with Silvia, french with her father and some portuguese with her mother, while they speak italian with each other.

It is hilarious, and we are all getting confused with all those languages.

Marlene, Silvia's mother is the only one who speaks all the languages, quite an amazing woman for whom I have the outmost respect.

Then, it is cafe time again, and I often speak with Silvia's father for a while, about art and politics.

We discuss french and italian politics, it is absolutely wonderful.

After lunch, it is time to wash dishes again.

Then, I go with them in their workshop and help them complete some piece of art they are finishing for an exhibit they have in Milan next month.

This is an incredible experience. I am in heaven. Literally.

When they don't need me, and I have already spoken with my sons, I go with my wife to the university and wait for her while she does her course. 

I love being there when she comes out.

This is the most beautiful moment of my life.

Because, let's face the truth, I did all of that, come to the other side of the continent, live 12.000 km from Canada for her, to be with Silvia. She is the reason why I live on a very personal level.

She is my wife in the real sense of the word.

Then we come back, and eat again.

The evening is filled with more conversations, more good food, and more time with Silvia.

We usually go to sleep quite late. And, we smile.

I discover Curitiba little by little and the surrounding areas.

I met some of Silvia's friend, especially Elyka and Claudi who are simply awesome people.

I met Silvia's family, her aunts and uncles.

And, I slowly start to understand.

There is so much to say.

A country in full expansion, a country with so many options and contradictions.

A fascinating country.

But, let me show you some images of my first 10 days:

Have fun People
Live you dreams

Sincerely,

Serge

Welcome to Curitiba

Serge Happy

Curitiba at Night

Curitiba at Night

Please, Don't Drink and Drive

Red Dirt

Monument

Sil and Serge Happy

Sil on the Bridge

Sil on the Bridge

Elyka and Claudi

Elyka and Claudi

Sky and Mountain

Pillar and Lake

Sky and Bridge

Lake

Pink Flower

Red Flower

Purple Flowers

Purple flowers

Purple and Yellow Flowers

Purple and Red Flowers

Flowers on a Tree

Jungle Sky

Giant Wild Bamboo

Wild Dog Skull in the Jungle

Wild Dog Skull in the Jungle

Weird Jungle Fruit

Silvia & Elyka in the Jungle

Banana Weird Leaves

Banana Flower

Jungle

Jungle