Lost in the Waves
Reliving the Joy of Childhood Passions
I remember the salty tang of the ocean breeze — I can still smell it today, by just thinking about it. I grew up in a coastal city, so the ocean was an old friend and not just some background.
I would spend six straight hours in the water, battling the bigger waves and letting the smaller ones carry me to the shore. The beach sea was my playground and the beach was my second home.
There are a few memories that stand out clearly in my mind. The fizzy taste of Coke in a glass bottle (the best kind), a treat I was only allowed once or twice a week. The smell of freshly cooked crabs, french fries, and occasionally fried fish. Those weren’t just beach snacks — they were a part of the whole experience.
Getting to the beach was an adventure in itself. We’d catch the “Jardineira,” “Gardener” in English, a bus unlike any other. It had wooden benches and open windows, more like a breezy, rustic cruise than public transportation. Not that safe, but so fun for children. The whole trip, between taking a bus downtown and then later catching this special bus, took about an hour.
Growing up in a coastal city in Brazil, everyone’s world revolved around the beach. We didn’t have many parks, mountains, or the wildlife the countryside often offers. Despite not having…
