Natal (Northern Brazil)

In doing research about Brazil, we decided to see the North part of the country. We heard from Argentines that Natal was a relatively up-and-coming paradise on earth. It has not yet become a large tourist destination and it’s known for its pure sandy beaches and sand dunes. By now, we’ve picked up a few words in Portuguese but find ourselves using Spanish more than anything. Our hotel, Ponto do Madeira, informed us that we are the first North Americans to visit the hotel in 2 years! From the hotel, we climbed down a couple hundred steps to reach the sand – fine, soft, and creamy white. The water was warmer than bathwater!

We spent 4 days bodysurfing, reading, and staring at the beautiful star-filled skies at night. It was the first time I remembered looking up at the sky and really observing the stars. In 5 minutes, we witnessed three shooting stars. I had an epiphany in Natal. There is so much beauty around us (especially Santa Monica) but over the past several years, working and living an impatient life, I cannot recall looking at the stars once! I hope that I recall such glimpses of clarity once we’ve settled back in LA, juggling our busy schedules, and falling back into old habits. For now, I’m more relaxed than I have been in a long time… After a quick layover in Sao Paolo, we are off to SOUTH AFRICA!