Fortaleza? You Must Be Crazy!

I got back from Fortaleza just a few hours ago and I have to say I'm already planning to go back in September. I must admit that the days spent in this city will stay in my thoughts for a long time. The days spent on the beach at Praia do Futuro under a glorious sun, the early-evening strolls along Beira Mar at the handicraft market with a stop at a stall. Nothing but a little bar on the beach, where you can enjoy a caipirinha, letting yourself be caressed by a very pleasant breeze and enjoying the passing crowd. The crazy nights spent at Pirata, Armazém, Arregua, Mucuripe amid the rhythms of forró (a local dance), men and women dancing as I've never seen before. Live Brazilian popular music at the Centro Cultural Dragão do Mar, sitting in a little bar packed with people passing the time between one chat and another, drinking a soft drink in total relaxation.

And again..........beach parties at sunset on Sundays at Praia do Futuro at the Croco Beach and Coco Beach beach clubs. Trips over the dunes of Cumbuco, or to Morro Branco among the labyrinths and cliffs. Lagoinha with its splendid view of the beach from above, and then a ride on quad bikes, first on the wet sand and then up........as far as the fishing village and then again over the dunes.............fantastic. How strange — before leaving I spoke to another guy who has already been to Brazil several times to get an idea of what I was in for. Among other things, he told me that when I got back to Italy I would feel SAUDADE; intrigued, I asked him what it was. Well, the closest translation is SAUDADE = NOSTALGIA, but he insisted it's something more and something deeper, though he couldn't define it in words.

I imagine that at this very moment as I write, I'm feeling this sentiment that's new to me, and I can say he was absolutely right. It's something that keeps transforming, between the joy of happy memories and the frustration of no longer being there, and finally the desire to return to relive those splendid moments of happiness and carefreeness. I have to thank viaggiscoop, where I read the accounts by Franco Dini that allowed me to meet Ivan Sala, a guy who has lived in Fortaleza for years and who welcomed me and looked after me, finding me a beautiful, clean, well-organised place to stay, and who didn't just take the money; every time it was necessary he went out of his way to instruct and help me in everything.

Should you wish to contact him for accommodation, I'm sure he'll be very helpful and available to look after you; you can call him on 0055-85-91032391 or by e-mail sala69it@yahoo.it, skype: ivanbrasile One last piece of advice for those who want to experience these splendid emotions and spend their holidays in Fortaleza. Don't buy packages with flight and hotel; buy just the flight and rent an apartment. I met people who bought the package and bitterly regretted it when they saw my accommodation in an apartment. Bye and good luck, Fabrizio.