Jackie Steves is guest-hosting her Dad’s blog with 17 posts in 17 days. Follow the adventures of Andy and Jackie Steves as they ‘ the first Steves to venture into South America ‘ report on their experience.
After a short night’s sleep we went at it again ‘ this time it was an all-day boat party. We and all our new friends were babbling brooks of joy at being on a boat, sipping caipirinhas, and being driven around to Ilha Grande’s most gorgeous lagoons. We felt like we belonged in a movie or a music video.
When we got to the first lagoon Andy was the first to jump in. Within a matter of minutes everyone (about 30 20-something-year-olds) followed suit except me and Italian Tweedledumb, Paolo. He confessed to me with a big adorable grin, “Don’t tell anyone, but I don’t know how to swim.” But that didn’t stop him. Soon he was paddling around down there with a life jacket like a three-year-old. I think people found a way to jump off almost every possible perch on the boat.
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Andy, Tweedledee Ian, and Tweedledumb Paolo with caipirinhas in hand at the helm of the boat. Enlarge photo |
The roof of the boat was a big flat platform, perfect for a dance floor. This was the most surreal party ‘ I think for all of us. I was chatting up top with one of the Brazilians who helps run the hostel, Frederico, when a man in a small motor boat drove up alongside our boat. Frederico asked me if I liked coconut. When I said yes he called down to the man below in Portuguese. The man threw up a coconut. Frederico pulled out a pocketknife, whacked off the top of the coconut, tossed in a straw, and gave it to me. The all-natural refreshment couldn’t have been more fitting.
At one point the Brazilians turned off the music and joined all together in song and dance. They really know how to make their own fun. Just the sight of them all singing and dancing made me extremely happy.
The bar turned out a continuous flow of caipirinhas. You would think they would mass-make these ahead of time for the sake of ease, but instead the cocktails were ever so fresh, made from limes they chopped the moment before they threw them in your cup so they could only make four at a time, with two regular-size shakers.
The next morning our time in paradise expired. Andy kept asking, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay a few more days?” I could stay the rest of my life so happily here, but I was also very excited to see Rio.
Wow, what a fun day. i`ve had the coconut with a straw in it before; the flavor of it doesn t do much for me but the fun of drinking it right from the coconut makes it totally worth while.
Nothing like fun in the sun, crystal blue waters and coconut treats, too! A nice memory for back at school when most of your time is spent with your new friends called books. I`m enjoying your writting. Keep up the good work.
ahhhh, drinking caipirinhas on a beautiful beach with Tweedledee and Tweeedledumb, who could ask for anything more?
It`s true that the US work ethic is different than that of Brazil, especially coastal Brazil. And I think everybody who has ever worked hard or is working hard relates to pure bliss. But whatever happened to young adults who went into the Peace Corps, or Americorps, or who enlisted in the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course, or who work in soup kitchens? Is it possible some of us are totally spoiled? Not that Rick Steves` children are. But is class war when the 5% having most of the money in the US rails against paying higher taxes? Not that Rick Steves does. He and his company seem to be emblematic of spreading the wealth. Just hope that while he and his wife are funding the ability of their children to wallow in the sybaritic, they are also thinking about how they can incent the kids to contribute. I may have missed it but the future blogs for Andy and Jackie would be even more impressive if they were doing something for the most underprivileged of the planet. ((And I could be wrong because we all know that some of wealthiest give back behind the scenes.)) That`s admirable too.
Peace Corps volunteers are generally college graduates. I am sure that Jackie is still in school and I think that Andy hasn`t graduated yet either. Good for them that they are traveling in South America well outside their comfort zone! I am sure that they are learning a lot that will affect how they think about the world in the future. Let`s give them time to finish their education before sending them off to the Peace Corps, Americorps or the Marins Corps Platoon Leadership Course. This is a blog about their travels. They may do another blog about their charitable work. In the meantime, I hope that they are having fun while learning more about the world.
Thanks, Pam. I couldn`t have said it better. Jackie and Andy are basically preparing for a full life of giving. You must have experience to understand what needs to be done. I do not understand why some people are so cranky…perhaps THEY need to broaden their horizons or perhaps THEY never had the chance and just may be a bit jealous of the opportunities these young adults have. Anyway, Jackie and Andy, ROCK ON! P.S.: I am not a liberal. Contrary to some ideas it is possible to be a conservative and still care about people and the world.
Come, come, Rick devotees. You should know that Andy graduated from Notre Dame this year with majors in Italian language and literature and design, I believe. There was even a photo of proud Dad with proud son on this website.
Ah, then a post graduation trip before settling in to more school or a new job. What fun that he branched out to South America.
I took a boat trip with a group of Scandanavians who had never spent much time in the sun. They really got sick from sun burn. I never learned more than that.