Last year, I spent a few days with the riverside community of Nova Esperança as part of a community based tourism experience organised by @brazilian.do
I think my favourite bit was spending time with Arlete and Praxedes as they prepared manioc flour.
This was the last step (roasting the flour in a wood fired clay oven) in a long labourious process. They had been at it since 5am that morning. Skinning the roots of the Cassava and grinding them into powder. Squeezing the toxic liquid out of the powder, followed by sifting and roasting in the oven.
Arlete constantly chatted with us, telling us about their daily life and sharing funny anecdotes. My laughter lagged behind as Luisa (@janelasabertas) translated their conversation. But my awkwardness was quickly swept away by her warmth.
Praxedes seemed her opposite. His silence was only interrupted by laughter and smiles at his wife's antics.
Later when Luisa drew him into our conversation, he told us about how he had always wanted to go see the ocean. When he finally got his chance, he was impressed but also surprised that it was salty
