What are tags? You can give your posts a "tag", which is like a keyword. Tags help you find content which has something in common. You can assign as many tags as you wish to each post.
View posts by people in your network with tag rain
What a morning. We left home just after 5am to head into town to Poupa Tempo, the govt offices where Tat was to renew her RG. It was drizzly, tiny droplets of rain floating and dancing, never really hitting the ground, landing gracefully and soaking everything they touched. In the light of the street lamps, the overhead wires looked as though they were beaded with diamonds. We were about to take a photo when the bus arrived. The bus was packed with steaming bodies... shouted conversations, the bus conductor playing with cell phone tunes, a girl singing along to some private tune on her mp3 player. We swayed and bumped along as light crept almost imperceptably into the sky.
The fresh air as we got off the bus was delightful. A group of elderly folk in white with perky white caps were doing some form of slow movement... not sure if it was Tai Chi. The walk to Poupa Tempo was uneventful. We chatted and laughed, glorying in the fresh, cool air. At Poupa Tempo, we got into the queue to get the number to be in the queue - yes, confusing. We wanted to take photos of their fascinating old/new light fittings. These things were huge, very antiquey with flourescent lightbulbs in them. Needing permission from the building admin, we decided against it. When Tat's turn finally came, we were somewhat dismayed to find that hers wasn't an ordinary case. She has to choose her nationality... and no one really knew what the next step was, but we could find out at a 'cartorio'. The cartorio's are basically clerical offices set up as middle men between the public and the government offices. Just another link in the chain... just another palm to cross. The cartorio was going to open in around 2 hours. Nothing else is open in the city before 9am - Brazilians aren't early birds.
We set out to wander around Sé. Sé is a mostly-paved semi-park fronting São Paulo's main cathedral. The Sé metro station runs below. Sé is in the heart of the city, it's center. All city measurements are taken from this point. We took a photo of a gorgeous rain sprinkled rose, then crossed over to another garden, where we took photos of some really interesting flowers. A little further along, I took photos of some shattered safety glass on a 'bridge' going over the pond. We caught sight of some fragile plants with dainty bell-like flowers. I took a few photos and handed the camera to Tat. As I handed the camera over, her cell phone rang. In that split second when we both looked down to the cell phone, a 'wind' blew past. We were robbed. I say, 'a wind', as the bridge was empty. It was a big bridge and wide... there was not a soul to be seen other than the two youths over head in another 'pond' taking their early morning bath. It took a second to register what had happened. Tat was on the ball. She dropped the umbrella she was carrying and gave chase... yelling for anyone to catch the thief. I think this guy could have given Road Runner a run for his money. I have never seen anyone run like that. They look in the wrong places for Olympic athletes. I followed as fast as I could, but I'm not exactly built for high speed chase. Two other men joined Tat in the chase. The cops and security guards we passed just looked on.
The chase got to where the area was very dicey. My hot-headed, impulsive daughter finally stopped, thankfully. There were two cops on the corner. One kept muttering about not being able to leave the car and the other said, "Don't worry! I'll get on my white horse and chase the scoundrel down!" Ok, not quite in those words. He ran off. I think he must have fallen somewhere. He was still dapper when he returned, but obviously hurting. He was totally bewitched by Tatiana. After radioing a bulletin to the other cops in the area, he very 'officially' took down Tat's details, interspersing his assurances about catching the criminal with "I wish I had eyes like yours" and "You're very pretty" (how does she do it... even when she looks a wreck, she attracts them!). I suggested she autograph a photo for him ; )
Around that time, Tat's two fellow-chasers came back. They lost the thief in the bus terminus. It was assumed that the thief got on one of the buses. What astounded us was that these two were homeless men and they were angry! We thanked them profusely for their efforts. They went off swearing that if they caught the thief, they would make him pay. We made our way, slowly, back up to the scene of the crime. There, we found one of the chasers talking to a woman, also homeless. She was ranting that thieves like that bring a slur on them, as they don't steal. When they spotted us, they went on about what they would do if they caught him. I guess they have their own justice system.
We left the area and headed to the bus to go home, a little heavier in heart than when we arrived. Tat's documents could wait for another day. The lesson? Not that we should be more careful when going into town. That is a given. That boy stole to get a pitance with which he could buy his next bottle of glue - or he stole to 'pay' an older person... a controller. He was skilled at his 'art', probably having done that since he was barely out of his mother's arms, if he spent any time in his mother's arms at all. Then there was the two homeless men who helped give chase. They had nothing to gain from helping, though on hindsight, I think there was a reward expected. I think, though, that they chased because they saw a crime committed on their 'turf'. Yes, we learnt a lot about humanity and our perceptions of people this morning. As for me, the material loss is not welcome, but when I watched my child running, and sometimes losing sight of her - it was a long distance - I feared something happening to her. I cannot begin to describe the relief when I finally met up with her again and could put my arms around her. Life is precious.
This past week, São Paulo has seen wintery weather and rain and more rain. The local weather bureau has recorded 219mm (8.6 inches) of rain between midnight last night and 3pm today, which is more than last year's total January rainfall by 67%! This is mean to be our hottest month of the year... this and February. The national guard is apparently being put on alert because of expected heavy rainfall. What fun. The poor birds were nestling under the eves of the abandoned house over the road, all puffed up and shivering. I took the photo from inside our carport.
I was meant to go out shopping today, but we took one look at the big wet out there and changed our minds. Tomorrow, we will just have grit our teeth and get onto it. It is at times like this that I miss having a car. If I leave early enough, I should be home by three... assuming no roads are flooded.
For your entertainment, here is what Climatempo has to say about it: São Paulo ficou um caos nesta terça-feira por conta da chuva. Não foi a primeira vez e nem será a última. Também não foi uma nova frente fria que chegou a cidade trazendo a chuvarada. A chuva não veio com trovoadas, mas se espalhou forte a moderada e constante por toda a Grande São Paulo. De segunda para a terça-feira, em diversos níveis da atmosfera, a circulação dos ventos foram formando áreas de baixa pressão, que concentraram a umidade, gerando as densas nuvens baixas no sul de São Paulo que avançaram para a capital paulista. Começou a chover constante no início da noite de segunda-feira, mas em geral de forma fraca a moderada. A intensificação da chuva começou a se observada por volta das 7 horas da manhã, quando nuvens pesadas começaram a chegar a cidade. O volume de chuva que a cidade recebeu desde a madrugada correspondeu mais ou menos a 1/4 da média de chuva de janeiro, que é de aproximadamente 254 mm. Até as 19 horas, as estações meteorológicas do CGE registraram 71 mm acumulados em Cidade Ademar, 65,5mm na região do Ribeirão dos Meninos (divisa de São Paulo com o ABC), 63,5mm em Itaim Paulista (zona leste), 59 mm em Santo Amaro (zona sul), 58,5 mm em Pirituba (zona oeste), 47,4 mm na Consolação (centro) e 41,8 mm em M Boi Mirim. Na zona norte, a estação meteorológica automática do Inmet registrou 62 mm entre meia-noite e 18h de terça-feira. Nessa quarta-feira saberemos o volume total de chuva que aconteceu na cidade, uma vez que estes dados ainda são preliminares. São Paulo vai ganhar um pouco de sol nessa quarta-feira e cada vez mais calor até o sábado de Carnaval. A chuva não vai embora, apenas muda a forma de cair. Voltam a chuva e as trovoadas das nuvens que crescem por causa do calor.
On a slightly different matter. I have not been a very good blog friend at all. I have neglected you all and have no excuse. Yes, it does look as though I have visited, but that is because I am signed in to Multiply and check new posts via my e-mail. In the mornings, I flip through the e-mails weeding out the group mails and other e-mails including spam. This does make me appear in your list of who has viewed your blog! It doesn't mean that I don't find what you write interesting. Chances are, I glanced and moved on. Most are so interesting that I want to come back and read. I just haven't had the chance. You don't want to see how far behind I am, but those who know me know that I'm the kind who is determined to read every word and when I do, I always comment. I will catch up. I will, I tell ya!
It's traditional here.... rain over the New Year and tradition has stood us proud yet again. Ok, for half the city it has. Watch the video and weep with me... not a drop of that rain has fallen here!!! We are still hot and sweaty and sticky. Granted, I don't wish the flooding on anyone, but if we could at least get a little of that. Our skies here are clear and, yes, it is the same city. The temperature has been around 35°C (95°F). The rains you see here have fallen in the area where we used to live two years ago. I'm rather glad we're not there anymore. That house leaked so badly, we'd have to bail ship every time.
That'll teach me for complaining. We had such a long period of super-dry. Now we have floods. Our house is on high ground, so it doesn't affect us, other than my very waterlogged flower pots.
This photo of a tiny portion of São Paulo wasn't taken by me. It is a Terra news photo:
It does give you a fairly good idea of what the city is like at the moment. I'd say its rather damp here, wouldn't you?
The photo at the top is mine though and is a photo of quebra pedra, a weed (or should that read 'volunteer plant'?) that I spent a very long time uprooting until one of the locals saw me and berated me for uprooting what is considered one of the 'sacred herbs'. 'Quebra pedra' translates literally to 'stone breaker' and is used as a remedy for kidney stones. The locals swear by it. It is a very pretty herb, the raindrops on its dainty leaves looking like tiny jewels.
This afternoon, we were meant to go into the village to enjoy the neighbourhood's 80'th birthday party. Vila Zelina is a Lithuanian community and was established in 1927. The celebration was to take place at the square. Pity it was a washout. This photo was taken at the square on a sunny day, the usual gathering of old (and not so old) men playing their dominoes. The dominoes table is always occupied, regardless of the time of day.
See what happens when you complain? We have gone from hot and dry to cold and wet. Overnight, the temperatures dropped and it is now cold with constant rain. Make that cold by Brazilian standards, with temperatures averaging 18°C (64°F).
In honour of this auspicious event (unaccustomed rain), I present you with one of Tat's favourite treats, Bolinha de chuva. Actually, it was a friend of hers that introduced us to this local confection. 'Bolinha de chuva' translates to 'little rain cake'. Every time this friend would visit, she would haul out the pot and the flour and make bolinha for us. She loved cooking at our place, as she wasn't allowed to at home. Herewith, my translation of a Bolinha de chuva recipe...
Bolinha de chuva(I added the Brazilian version of the recipe just as a curiosity)
Temperature: Hot Difficulty: Easy Preparation time: 10 minutes Makes about 70 balls
Ingredients: 1 pinch of salt about 1/2 cup of milk 4 tablespoons sugar 2 cups flour 1 level tablespoon of baking powder 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon cinnamon oil for deep frying 3 cups of sugar for making the cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
Method:
In a bowl, mix flour, eggs, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add milk little by little with a mixer until you have a smooth batter. The mixture is ready when it starts to keep the shape of the balls. Heat sufficient oil in a frying pan to deep fry the balls. When the oil is hot, put small balls into the oil with a spoon. Fry the balls until golden brown and crisp. Remove with a straining spoon and place on paper towels to drain off oil. Toss balls in cinnamon sugar and they're ready to serve/eat/whichever-comes-first ;)
Portuguese version:
Temperatura: Quente Dificuldade: Fácil Tempo de preparo: 10 min Rendimento: 70 unidades
Ingredientes
: 1 pitada de sal cerca de 1/2 xícara (chá) de leite 4 colheres (sopa) de açúcar 2 xícaras (chá) de farinha de trigo 2 ovos ligeiramente batidos 1 colher (sobremesa) rasa de fermento em pó 1 colher (sobremesa) de canela em pó óleo para fritura 3 xícaras (chá) de açúcar (para misturar com a canela em pó)
Modo de Preparo
: Coloque numa tigela a farinha, os ovos, o fermento, o açúcar e o sal. Aos poucos, adicione o leite e misture com um batedor até obter uma massa homogênea. A massa estará no ponto quando começar a formar bolhas. Em uma frigideira, coloque bastante óleo e leve ao fogo. Quando estiver bem quente, coloque pequenas porções de massa, com o auxílio de uma colher. Frite os bolinhos, deixando-os dourar bem. Retire e coloque sobre papel toalha para absorver o excesso de óleo. Em seguida, passe os bolinhos no açúcar e na canela e sirva.
