I have finally arrived in Belém, the bustling capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Pará, located on the banks of the Pará River. Founded by the Portuguese in the 17th century, it was the first European colony on the Amazon. During the rubber boom in the 19th century, the city grew rapidly, bringing wealth and prosperity to some in the region.
The Port of Belém is one of the busiest in Brazil, serving as a gateway to the Amazon region and playing a crucial role in transporting goods, such as grains, minerals and forest products. It is also a significant hub for cruise ships that include Belém in their itinerary.
After disembarking from the riverboat, I headed to Estação das Docas, a beautifully restored warehouse complex housing eateries, shops, and cultural spaces. The area is split into three large iron sheds, with the Fort of São Pedro Nolasco transformed into a museum at one end and the Maria Sylvia Nunes Theatre at the other. As I walked along the waterfront beneath towering cranes that used to load and unload cargo a century ago and the 19th-century steam engine that provided energy to the port's equipment, I felt a sense of history, of days gone by.
Belém's food culture is a fascinating blend of indigenous, African, and European influences, evident in the city's thriving street food scene. Wandering through the vibrant streets, I could smell the aroma of grilled meat skewers and sweet, fresh juices wafting from the many vendors. Traditional dishes like 'pato no tucupi' caught my eye. Its succulent duck was cooked in a yellow sauce made from fermented cassava roots. But I was also drawn to the fusion dishes, like 'caruru de camarão', a stew combining West African and Brazilian influences, made with tender shrimp, okra, onions, and aromatic spices. With so many mouth-watering flavours to choose from, I found myself torn between the many options.
Before settling on something, I walked through the Ver-o-peso Market, one of the oldest public markets in the country, supplying the city with various goods, medicinal herbs, fresh veggies, fish and meat. The market is famous for its fried fish and açai, a simple yet interesting combination that strikes me as a cross between sweet and savoury. I decided to try this dish, given its supposed fame.
With my takeout in hand, I found a seat overlooking Guajará Bay, and as the sun set over the horizon, I reflected on my journey. The Amazon is a splendid ecosystem of magnificent flora and fauna with a mind-boggling river system. Every inch of the forest pulsates with life, from the towering trees to the tiniest insects. And the colours, so many among all the green, from the bright beaks of the toucans and brilliant plumage of the macaws to the delicate purple and white petals of the Passiflora and bold, bright shades of heliconias.
I found it humbling to learn about the indigenous communities and how they adapt to the ever-changing environment while steadfastly holding onto their way of life and traditions. As a final thought, I felt inspired by the conservation and sustainability initiatives taken by many NGOs. These efforts give me hope that we can still protect the Amazon Rainforest and help it flourish and thrive.
Farewell, and see you on my next journey.
We divided our group of women into two teams of 5 for this challenge. The start date isn't correct as I had to activate the code in December, and we didn't start until January 1 - finishing January 24. I really enjoyed the postcard information on this one!
- 24 postcards received
- 12 local spots viewed
- 5 trees planted (25 total)
Book previously read: The River of Doubt by Candace Millard. A true account of Theodore Roosevelt's near-fateful trip down the Amazon River.
No comments:
Post a Comment
It's so good to see you here . . .