Brazil: The land of exotic enchantment…

Not!

For some of my newer readers, I make frequent trips to Brazil. I don’t go to the “exotic” and “enchanted” locations; I go to the desert of the northeast.

I’ve actually been to many of the exotic and enchanted spots and, much like Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Family Vacation, I arrive, look and am ready to leave because I’ve got other things on my mind.

Many of the exotic locations have become quite dangerous. I’ve been to Rio de Janeiro many times; but have absolutely no desire to go back. I’d be safer in a free fire zone in Iraq. Seriously. And the Amazon? Mosquitos the size of bats, piranha with razor sharp teeth and humidity that runs just shy of 140%… been there, done that and the t-shirt is already faded.

My exotic and enchanted Brazil lies in the arid desert of the northeastern state of Ceará. Populated with “country folks,” people of the earth, grizzled and sun-hardened skin with a fatality of thought that is unique to their way of life.

The land that time forgot.

Life tends to become crystal clear there; it becomes much easier to arrange your priorities; purpose is tangible.

This has been the “exotic and enchanted” Brazil I’ve been in over the last week.