Arte Na Mata

Let me just preface this post by saying that we absolutely love living at Arte Na Mata eco lodge in Itacare. Our cabin is clean and cozy. We have a deck that overlooks the jungle, a river and the ocean. We live next door to Dave and Simone, the greatest hosts and companions. There are two fun women that come to our house every morning to cook us breakfast. We live down the street from Naco, an elderly artist who is a telepath from another planet. Actually, today he was Pinnochio and Rivers was an "amante"-or-lover of many women. He has a kiln in his house and makes ceramic sculptures all day. I'm starting to believe his stories. We are 5 minutes away from some of the most beautiful beaches set within the colorful and friendly Brazilian cultural landscape. Still, there are those few laughable discrepancies that come with living in a rustic paradisaical landscape (remember the annoying Costa Rican toucans?) I feel like I should mention a few so that I can remember them one day when our future children haze Harper for having lived in such tropical places while they will most likely be raised in boring America (no offense, U S of A). That way I can have a few tales of woe for them, just to balance the scale a bit. 1. The eco lodge is solar powered. Today it was raining. There was no power. I'm just starting to realize how creative one must be without the crutch of Yo Gabba Gabba or Disney to distract a toddler when it's raining. My trick so far: lots of play-dough and lots of forts. 2. The dirt road to the lodge is so bumpy and steep that you have to gun it in first gear in the 1-wheel drive Fiat in order to get traction. Rivers got stuck yesterday. We had to coast backwards in neutral at a 75 degree decline and make a second attempt. Luckily Harper found it amusing, raising her arms in the air and screaming "woooo hooooo!" I think we have a daredevil on our hands.... 3. It turns out that the squeaking noises Rivs and I have been hearing at night are emanating from a gang of bats that have decided to make their nest (or lair, or headquaters, or whatever bat homes are called) in our ceiling (which is also the inside of our roof). So far no nocturnal dive bombing, but I'll keep you posted on that. I'm expecting it at some point. Again, Harper loves the fact that we have bats living in our house. She'll stop, shine a flashlight on one of the sleeping creatures and say "Nanananana BATMAN!" 4. There are poisonous things here. Pretty much anything with teeth or pincers here also has some ghastly poison coursing through its body. Harper got bit today and I was convinced by the extent of her scream and pained expression (and shaking) that she had been stung by a scorpion or attacked by a spider. My initial instinct was to catch the creature so I could bring it to the hospital where doctors would undoubtedly extract its venom and create an antidote. Turns out it was an ant. Don't worry, she's fine. Her thumb swelled to a sizable girth, but Aunt Simone came to the rescue with topical Benadryl and some orange soda. Problem solved. Later, Dave informed me that he has some anti-snake venom lying around, just in case. Phewf. Really these are just things that enrich our experience here. It's feels like we're living a dream in this part of the world. I don't think Harper has picked up a toy since we've arrived (other than play-dough). Rivs is busy helping Dave with managing the lodge and harvesting fruit. I'm enjoying spending time with Simone, playing with Harper and lounging by the pool while she naps. This is how Rivs harvests coconuts. He later took of his shirt and asked if he looked like a Spartan. Yes, Rivs. You look just like Gerard Butler in that scene in 300 where his troops are parched, and the general grabs his trusty coconut lance to get to the fruits' sweet nectar. a

I guess this is that scene where the Spartan feeds some warrior animals. ( Must have been in the bonus material/deleted scenes)

This is Harper swimming with some fishing lures. Don't worry, Uncle Dave de-hooked them beforehand.

The storm a-coming.

Rainy day fun on the deck

Latest discovery: Harper loves Acai. Can you tell?