Beach Trilogy: Episode Two

Episode Two: Arrial d´Ajuda
Arrial is a far cry from the bohemian backwaters of Caraiva. But, it´s Christmas and the quaint cobbled streets decorated with fairy lights and lined with beautiful boutiques and romantic restaurants carries a more festive feel.

In truth, without he usual commercial hype, cold weather and annual embarrassment at the office party - Christmas couldn´t be further from my mind. And, when the realisation eventually arrives I find myself missing what is really important at this time of year...presents! I mean friends and family of course.

It isn't until the night before Christmas that our bells finally start jingling. We assume that Santa has left the fur lined present at our door - in the form of an itty bitty kitty. We immediately perform an unecessary rescue and I spend the evening stroking pussy...until the owner returns and accuses us of catnapping.

We're dreaming of a whitey Christmas (racist)
Christmas morning is spent sipping capirinhas at the beach. After, at least, one too many we return to share a BBQ with the hostel owners - and are inebriated enough to ignore an Italian ruining our expensive steaks.

A bottle of premium cachaca is opened after the meal. And the Christmas spirit goes straight to my head. With a reputation to consider I manage to politely excuse myself from the table (previously it seems as if the only time I was opening my mouth was to put another foot in it), promising to return swiftly.

One hour later, Flo finds me laid out on the bed - with one foot planted on the ground to stop the room from spinning! Apparently, I demand she only return bearing water and a kitten. Thankfully, for all in involved, the cat cannot be found. Flo is still laughing at my World Lightweight Championship win the next day. But, there's soon a new contender for the title...

After only three, admittedly potent, capirinhas on Boxing Day we return to the room where Flo has what would be conservatively described as a 'funny turn'. Unfortunately, I resist the temptation to photo her lying foetal on the shower cubicle floor and speaking in a variety of drunken tongues but the memory will linger longer than her hangover. Christmas!...drink, and you'll miss it.

Children of the Revellion
With the festive formalities over, Brazil enters a relentless period of partying to close the year - under the collective banner of 'Revellion'. The previously quiet streets are crowded with young Brazilians in scenes reminiscent of the US Spring Break; cars installed with oversized speakers cruise past playing unbearably loud music while boys in skimpy shorts chase girls in even smaller bikinis.

Since we have neither the stamina nor the swimwear to compete, we leave for the last beach in our planned trilogy.

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