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Day 361 - 25 June 2006 São João in full effect! Festa d’San Jon, Festa do São João, the party for Saint John…whatever you wanna call it, it’s here! and it’s goin strong! believe me, it came, it conquered, we all wambled home racing the sun as it rose. (or continued to heat up as it already rose hours before.) OH THE MADNESS! there really is nothing like wandering the streets runnin into EVERYBODY you know, and even more that seem to know you (even if I have no idea who they are). talk about a community event, especially during the third and final week when I couldn’t help but run into everybody, even folks I had met out of town and off island. by the final few nights, there were so many out-of-towners around that just walkin down the street was an accomplishment. just imagine Mardi Gras without the beads and floats. just people. EVERYWHERE. all the homies came down from the north and took over the Bufadour home, commonly known as São João headquarters… somehow during this week, I befriend the donas & donos (owners) of a few establishments on the far end of town, which end up becoming long-lasting friendships of sorts. I dunno if it was the liquid courage that was talking but somehow I have long conversations with folks during this week and meet way too many people to remember, but of course, they all remember me, kel branco ma kel cabel’ (that white guy with the hair). I end up befriending a few different groups of party buddies and somehow dividing my time up pretty evenly amongst them (miraculously). I also come to realize that my homies from the north aren’t the passeia’n type and are more into the clubbin, so eventually after what seems like draggin them around town to my own bidding, they take off to do the dancing thing and I wander as my heart desires. but… before we go our separate ways, two funny things happen with my fellow Americans: another fellow consumer and I miraculously spy the remnants of a bottle to top shelf refreshment at a kiosk and take two for the team, polishin off the top shelf. troopers we are, yes. the senior Volunteer on the island somehow finds time to pop it like Shakira. if you haven’t seen that ad, well I feel sorry for you, and for those of you who didn’t see his rendition, well, I’ve got it on video, so don’t worry, there will be a broadcast later this year…hahaha…POP IT! here’s a quick summary: wandering the town till sunrise, makin ‘eaps ‘n ‘eaps of new CVean friends, realizin just how far the non-salary can stretch in times of festas, tons of fun stories to share with your homies, both back home and abroad. <--- santo antonio                a year abroad --->