Jericoacoara, “the place where the crocodiles sleep under the sun” in Indian language, is a small village lost at the edge of the ocean, nested in the middle of a desert of white sand dunes strewn with blue lakes and lagoons, green and rocky hills where donkeys, horses and cowes graze peacefully. Around the immense space and the landscapes we can also find a wild nature, like the Pedra Furada, this large rock with a big hole in middle, formed by the waves and the erosion. Wild smells from the sea, the wind on our faces. Many feelings that we adore. We feel far away and well, right in the middle of a very wild nature that we were impatient to meet.
First a small fishermen village, Jeri became a paradise for the surfers and kite surfers, who can enjoy strong winds and a wild coast extending to the infinite. Gradually the village increased in size and people, and now can accomodate many travellers who also heard of this magical place. Despite its multitude of visitors, Jeri nevertheless keeps an undeniable charm. On top of all the nature surrounding it, the village is of beauty, made up only of sand streets, small shops, and natives wandering around.
The pace of life in Jeri is very slow. Cool man, cool. Here, don't be in a hurry, and don't rush your neighbor. Sleeping or relaxing in a hammock is an art, just like sitting on a bench, or taking a nap, anytime. For urban ex-Londoners that we are, the laxative behavior of some people shocks us, and we struggle to understand how some manage to put their brains at rest during such a long time! Surely the Mary Jane friend is for something, because in Jeri, one does smoke from time to time...
We gave ourselves 8 days to explore Jeri and its surroundings, and make our first test for the travel guide, the new job we found and that could make us travel for a little longer.
While benefitting from the low season period and our great talents of negotiators, we finally rent a room at 10€ per night, with terrace, hammock, fan, bathroom and fridge! We live in the house of Jose, a native grandpa from the village, who rent part of his house to make some money. A typical casa familial. Jose often makes us laugh, with his large tanned belly, his cane, and his unceasing `Rouououpa!'. His wife, Geraldine, is also a typical grandma, who despite of Delphine's Portuguese level would keep on chatting with her like she was her sister. The daughter and grandaugther's of Jose, as for them, spent all their time washing, cleaning, scouring, drying clothes, and cooking. From 6am at midnight, all that under the semi opened eyes of our German neighbor, who spent the most of his time in his hammock sleeping, smoking and drinking beers.
Del and her friend the woman with the sweetcorn and coconut soup, to drink with sugar and sprinkles of cinnamon
Thanks to our work for the travel guide, we spent much time into the hotels and pousadas. We were often received like guests rather than commercial reps, and it was each time a pleasure of spending evening working! All of that within splendid frameworks, since we targeted luxury and pousadas of charm. We will remember in particular our hosts Alessandro and Fabio, with whom we spent long and delirious evenings.
We have thanks to our work seen a difference face of Jeri, an hidden side that the tourists can't see. While woking with its inhabitants, we almost felt like at home!
Between sessions of work, we also enjoyed walks in the village, on the beach and the surrounding nature. At the end of the afternoon, we liked watching the sunset from the enormous dune of Por do Sol, which overhangs the village and the sea to offer a splendid show for each sunset. We also treated ourselves with several activities and excursions: a surfing class, horse riding, and a whole afternoon on a buggy (sort of a mini 4x4 but larger than a quad) driving through landscapes of dunes and lagoons. One of the highlights of our travel so far!!