Monks and Markets

Sun. 6/27
Got up early and several of us took the metro downtown and then to the top of hill atop which stood a 17th century monastery. I was amazed at how ornate the entire interior of the church was and inside it was very dim and we were greeted with an intense aroma of incense. I have never been in a building that old. Mass was a little tiring because I was really struggling to keep up with and understand any of what they were saying unlike the past two masses I have been to here. Luckily, the real reason we decided to go was because it was a Gregorian chant mass. It sounded absolutely heavenly (hehe) and was well worth getting up early and making the trek down.
The day only got better because then we to the Ipanema Hippie Fair (no really, this is what it is called) which is a huge fair of artisan vendors that set up in a park every Sunday. If you are thinking this sounds like your average craft fair with woodwork door decorations and paisley-patterned handmade purses think again…...”craft fairs” are wayyyyy cooler in Brazil and let’s just say I wanted everything. Brazil is apparently known for its leather and I saw some of the most amazing chairs, shoes, bags and jewelry made from leather…all of which smelled really good! If only I didn’t have to fly home I totally would have purchased an ottoman. Ha. Because the exchange rate is so good here I bought so many things for so cheap. I even did a little bartering! The highlights for me must have been the artwork (which is all SO COLORFUL!) the jewelry and the caramelized coconut that I bought from a food vendor. It was just such a happy feeling to walk through this park and see all of the beautiful and creative things that these Brasileiros had created, eating good food and sharing with Molly a sense of excitement when we saw a table full of infant-sized leather sandals. Life is good and I am definitely going back next week!
To cap off the night I got to walk down to the rocks at Arpoador which juts out into the ocean in between Copacabana and Ipanema beach. The sun had just set behind the mountains and there were dozens of people out on the rocks sharing food, embracing, playing guitar, or walking with their kids. The set of lights illuminating the water by the rocks allows surfers to do some night surfing and people to fish off of the rock formations as onlookers enjoy the sight. The most amazing thing was that it was a full moon and I don’t think I have even seen it so big and orange….and to think we are all under that same moon. God’s gifts of nature were at their finest at this spot in beautiful Brazil. Do I have to leave? 