The month of September brings the annual Festa de Flores and Morangos de Atibaia. This is the festival, Trevor and I went to when we visited Brazil last year, before moving here. So it was only fitting that we take the boys. This is the festival Atibaia is known for. At first, the boys weren’t super excited about looking at a bunch of flowers, but they went anyway.
It turned out to be a great day. We walked through the vendors and made our way to watch the Sumo wrestling exhibition. There is a large Japanese population in Brazil and a lot of the exhibits and plants showcase their culture but the festival, also showcases other cultures; Russian, Croatian, German, Brazil, Bolivia, Arabic, Portuguese, and Spain in the exhibition tent depending on the day and time. The festival runs Friday through Sunday every weekend during the month.
Watching the sumo was fun. After the entertainment, we were on a mission to try a bunch of the festival food.
First up was Moti (or mochi). It is a Japanese dessert made from rice dough, not rice flour, where short grain glutinous rice is steamed and then pounded into a paste, and then molded into the desired shape.
We got to see them actually pounded the rice and make the dessert. Of course, I had to try it. We bought a sample pack containing, Itigodaifuku, Sakura Moti, Shiromoti, Daifuku, and Botamoti. We were not fans, any of us. It was very bland, even once you got to the filling inside. It was soft like dough but not raw tasting as it was steamed but, no thanks. You never know unless you try, though.
The rest of the treats we tasted were delicious. There was strawberry ice cream, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry mousse parfait, strawberry juice, a strawberry tart, some coconut candy, and nêsperas, also known as Brazilian loquats, this fruit is native to Japan and China and kind of made me think of a small mild peachy type fruit. By that point, we had had WAY more than our fill of sweets.
There are tons of food vendors serving real food but we opted to spend the money on the strawberry stuff and eat real food back at the house.
The festival had plenty of flowers for purchase too, along with plenty of food samples and a play area for kids.
By the end of the day the boys had a good time and were glad they went. I’m sure us letting them eat all that junk helped.
The boys are still liking the weekly wiffle ball game and hanging out with English speaking kids.
Trevor and I had a date day and headed out to Campinas. They have a Sam’s Club there. Who knew? I was on a mission to find a few Christmas decorations. Those of you that know me, know I LOVE to decorate for Christmas but I didn’t pack a single Christmas item. I guess with teaching the kids Joy to the World in English class for their party the first week in December, it just got me in the Christmas mood. Trev was a good sport about it. I tried hard to keep it simple; tree, a few ornaments, a tree skirt, and four stockings. I just don’t know what it’s going to be like having a blazing hot Christmas. That will definitely be a change for us.
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