Paradise: a placa where you do connections

by Andressa Almenara (Brazil)

Making a local connection Brazil

I was doing the same journey to college for the past two years. The trees, the river, the cars, and the traffic. It is strange how we are so used to the routine that we don't see the secrets of the places we pass through. I live in Ribeirão Pires, since I was born, tourist city of the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Despite, being located inside the metropolis, Ribeirão resembles a comfortable country town. To go to the college, I pass through a real 2 hour trip. And, it was where I never imagined, that I found a wonderful adventure. The highway where the bus drives is of a natural pattern, surrounded by forest and water. Sometimes you could see the pink and white of the lenten trees (typical tree of the Atlantic Forest), sometimes the blue immensity of the dam, took over the landscape. The schedule helped, with the sun rising around 6 am, and the landscape was reflected in the water. A real spectacle, seen from the square window of a bus filled with tired people. I had never thought of stopping there. Suddenly, the bus broke, and I was face to face with a new possibility. There was a park there, Parque do Estoril, the name of the neighborhood around the dam. The image of the board, covered by some trees, stayed with me all the week. On Saturday, I decided to visit there with some friends. The entrance to the park was the same entrance of the neighborhood. The walk was simple, and after three streets, the noise of cars was drowned out by the trees, and only the birds were singing in the forest that surrounded the neighborhood. It was early, few people were on the street, a calm almost unimaginable. At the entrance, there was a map of the park. To the left, the dam formed a small beach, and a wooden deck awaited tourists with a view of the dam, with islands of forests in the middle, and the highway in the background. A picturesque contrast. On the right, the smell of fried fish invaded my nostrils, warning where lunch would be made. We followed the park trail. The way was made of clay. One side, the dam, and on the other, majestic trees. Some adventurers practiced water sports and pedal boats. Butterflies flew everywhere, like fairies touching trees and plants. In the middle way, we met Mr. Alfredo Marandola. Retired, he used to go to the park since he was a child, and he reminded when everything was different. Mr. Alfredo is also a great fisherman. - Once, I caught a fish weighing more than 20 kg, and it is not a fisherman's story. This happened! - he joked. After 15 minutes of a simple walk, the path opened up to a large parking. Mr. alfredo said goodbye: - See you, friends. It is hard to find such a good conversation these days. If you like adventure, wait for what's behind the wall! On the way, a wall hid something that I did not think I would find. A zoo enchanted the local children. Very excited, they ran and played close to the first grid. When I passed the door, I was surprised and emotional. Macaws and parakeets flew right in front of my eyes, some landed in the arms of tourists, others ate the fruits stuck on branches, in the middle of the place. Whoever entered could feed and pet those free-spirited animals. Inside the zoo there was a space for birds. Incredulous about what I had just experienced, I went on my way through the rest of the zoo, happy for that experience, but also sad that the animals were trapped. It was out of the park that I met Vanderleia, president of the post-raft fishermen's association. A group of women who came together to move the economy of the neighborhood with fishing, tourism and local crafts. The ceramic bowls are inspired by the leaves of the Atlantic Forest plants, fishing is conscious and tourism is sustainable. That little piece of paradise in the middle of routine of the city, relieves the heart even of the most discredited.