Let the Lacemaking Begin...

Annie, Linnea and I decided the best way to commence the cooperative at Casa Cultural, before we begin to suggest some product devlopment and design ideas, is to have the women teach us how to make renda (bobbin lace.) To check out what they make go to http://www.fairloom.org/. This past week Nay and I have been diligently working away at our pathetic frienship bracelet like lace trying to interpret instructions in Portuguese while also attempting to make sense of the daily gossip and both wondering how these women continue without horrible back pain. They´ve been having a ball teaching us and a lot of time laughing in good humor at our inadequacy. The other day while we were working there was a major thunderstorm. Actually, none of the women were working, everyone was rather chatting and periodically shouting out the window into the street. Suddenly this incredible boom shook the building, the power went out and Donna Jita ( the oldest of the bunch who must be pushin 80) started whimpering. Eleni ran to get her doctor kit and took her blood pressure. Then all the women wanted their blood pressure taken so everyone lined up. We finally realized that the incredible bang was partly due to a corner section of the wall completely dislocating and shattering on top of the bureau. Nay and I returned home to cement chunks of our wall missing too- no big deal or as they say here - Naõ tem problema!

Third photo from top: Donna Jita- oldest member of the group who doesn´t like loud booms
Bottom photos: Inspirational images I snapped in Santa Barbara before I left- hoping that the renda can be inlaid in clothing at some point.

Bem Vindo a Fortaleza!

Linnea and I arrived in Fortaleza after three different flights (one missed connection,) an unexpected overnight stay in Saõ Paulo and each missing a piece of checked luggage. We were very happy to be greeted by the lovely, blue-eyed Annie- director of Fairloom who informed us she was relieved that we weren´t the spandex-suited, high-heeled fashionistas that stepped off the plane before us. She was certainly mistaken- were the disoriented girls with too many overstuffed carry ons wearing what was, more or less, pajamas. Annie helped us get situated in our new humble, yet colorful surroundings and took off for a week in the Amazon and Salvador with her boyfriend, Jed. This past week has already offered a fair share of adventure. Despite some unsettled stomachs, mosquitoes that are especially fond of leaving big red welts on pale foreigners like myself and some larger than life roaches which we have declared war on- we are faring quite well. We fall asleep to the sound of the ocean in our hammocks and awake to the bobbins clicking away at Casa Culutral Arte e Vida (where we´ll be working) first thing in the morning. The biggest highlight of Fortaleza so far has been the people- we´ve been invited to dinner and capinheiras most nights and are constantly followed by an entourage of children who are very eager to show us the ways of their beloved favelah.

Pictured above is our street (Casa Cultural is on the left with the black writing, our house is directly across.) Pictured below is view from the bedroom window.

The sisters (and baby Z) in Portland, ME over Christmas!

Prior to Departure....

This Christmas the small members of the ever-growing Ferguson clan just kept getting cuter.