10 Things Claude's Going To Miss
1. Outdoor Life
Regardless of the weather, getting out of the house each day was never a problem. Even if it rained, we often went out. There was fresh air, beach, river, forest, garden and most of the houses were built in a way that the air flowed through. Since returning to England, I've appreciated more just how fortunate we were to be able to experience the joys of being outdoors so much and with nature.
2. People
We made so many friends. People visit Piracanga from all over the world. It's an international community. We met so many visitors and residents who were alternative-minded, travelling like us and who took a similar approach to child-raising and education. The people were nearly always friendly and so many adults took out time to be with and nurture Zenchai. Also, I don't think I've been anywhere in the world where I've got to know so many people so quickly and easily.
3. Letting Children Roam Freely
Once you are back in a city, you understand and value how fantastic it was to have a child and feel comfortable allowing your child to come and go without us parents having to worry for his safety or whereabouts. Piracanga felt safe from that perspective. There were few cars and everyone seemed to know everyone. Often Zenchai would go for walks by himself and be gone for an hour or more. Frequently, he went to the houses of other children by himself. We were never concerned and nothing ever happened to him that gave us cause for worry.
4. Fresh Coconuts
They grew on the trees in our garden and were everywhere. There is a plantation next door and each week Alex, who works in the restaurant kitchen, sold and delivered them to your door. We would usually buy about 30 each week (at R30) and bolstered our supply with ripe coconuts from the garden. We drank the sweet juice and used the flesh for puddings, smoothies, soups, granola and just eating raw.
5. Beach And Ocean
Few days passed when we didn't visit one or both. The beach, especially at low tide, was brilliant for enabling children to let off steam and burn up some energy. We often had it entirely to ourselves. Whilst the waves were powerful, the water was usually warm. Zenchai would enjoy jumping waves.
6. Local Fruits & Vegetables
The choice wasn't exactly immense, but we will miss the size of the papayas, mangoes and avocados for certain. By British standards, it was all very affordable. The passion fruit was delicious and, when in season, Jack Fruit so delicious we would sometimes devour one in a single sitting. I shall miss other fruits like plantain, that are harder to get elsewhere, and vegetables such as mandioca.
7. Year-round Sunshine & Warmth
Only for maybe a few weeks of the nine months I was there did I need to where anything with long sleeves. Much of the time I had on just a pair of shorts and, at most, a t-shirt. In the summer it can get really hot, which makes sleeping uncomfortable, but I would take the heat and sun over cold and rain every time.
8. Clean Air & Limited Pollution
Piracanga had some cars and a tractor that was used by the workmen. But there was no traffic to speak of and, because of the forest, all the trees and being by the ocean where there was a constant breeze, the air was clean and fresh.
9. Living In Shorts & Bikinis
As an extention of No. 7, you don't have to pack much to visit here. The climate suits the minimalist. I had only two pairs of shorts and Jamie a couple of bikinis.
10. River
Zenchai preferred the river to the ocean. That's where he learned to swim and kayak - by himself. It's shallow at low tide and the perfect place for a child to begin swimming. Caution is needed when the tide rises and the current strengthens. We went to the river as a family all the time. When the water was warm it was like taking a bath.
10 Things Claude Won't Miss
1. Bicho De Pe
These little fleas, which are spread through the urine of animals, get into your feet (and sometimes hands), causing a slight stabbing pain and the only way to remove them is physically. Bichos are actually a type of flea - so they can jump, too. Kobra got one on her toe after only a few weeks of being born. We removed ours using a needle. I had about 10 in the nine months I was there. Zenchai had two and Jamie, somehow, avoided them all. Even though the first one I had taken out knocked me out - yes, I fainted - subsequently, I got good at removing them by myself and without fuss.
2. Poor Internet Signal
Having internet costs R50 per month or R5 per day. Where you live will have an affect on how strong your signal is, as will the weather. The internet signal is transmitted by radio. It's not fast. Some days we got nothing from our house and would have to go to the centre. On occasion the signal would be down everywhere. But in terms of using Skype and doing research online it was quite frustrating for us.
3. Driving On The Piracanga Road
This was a really bumpy journey, taking about one hour to Itacare going through deep puddles and large pot-holes. Zenchai threw up almost every time he made the trip. The road has recently been improved and the drive isn't as bad, but it remains a rally-type experience.
4. Humidity
Nearly all the clothes we took with us got ruined - they turned mouldy. The climate makes it difficult to keep clothing fresh, especially when it rains.
5. Mosquitos And Matukas
As much as you can get used to mosquitos, they can still drive you nuts at times. We certainly didn't react to bites as much at the end as we did when we first arrived. But outside of a mosquito net they would often swarm around you at night and, with a young baby, it wasn't fun. The bite of a matuka fly was more severe and matukas don't leave you alone. To clobber them, you have to let them land and sink their teeth in first!
6. Long Community Meetings
We got invited to many meetings during our stay, but soon found that most of them lasted two to three times longer than necessary.
7. 'Cold' Winter Nights
It did get chilly, relatively speaking. Some nights during the winter, with the homes open to the elements, we needed to wrap up under four or five blankets and snuggle together to stay warm.
8. Dusty, Sandy Houses When The Wind Blows Hard
It was hard keeping a house clean. Sand, dust and leaves would end up everywhere, especially on windy days.
9. Waiting For Laundry To Dry During The Wet Season
Sometimes the rain would last for days. With no washing machine, dryer etc, you have to either pray for the rain to stop or hang your clothes indoors. But even with the latter, it would take time for clothes to dry when the sun wasn't shining.
10. Insecurity
At first, we thought Piracanga was wonderful because there was no need to lock up your doors when you went out. Crime was almost unheard of. And then, as more houses were being constructed, workers came in from outside the village and the crime rate increased. We had a computer stolen during a burglary. Life never felt the same.
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