Categoria: The Gift Day + Eventos

Today has been fascinating. I’ve been doing one of my favourite things – talking to other members of the Gift Box team about their lives, and about their writing and creating.

First I talked to Brazilian Author Paola Benalia, through our translator, Carol.

I learn that her first historical romance was set in London, and that although her family support her in her writing, they don’t read her books. She thinks if her husband read her books, he’d blush. Gotta say, that’s intriguing!

It’s frustrating that I won’t be able to read her books except through Google Translate.

Paola used to be a Psychologist although she’s a full time writer now. I imagine that’s a useful background for a writer.

Then I chatted with Cristina Melo, and she said that her husband not only reads her books but critiques the first draft and always encourages her to improve.

I’m intrigued to learn that she ran a pet shop for 15 years, and dumped her ex-boyfriend because he didn’t want dogs in the house. Smart lady!!

I think her husband shares her love of animals… I certainly hope so!

My interpreter, Carol Dias, is a 23 year old author who also works for Gift Box publishers. She also has an amazing voice and used to sing with her church. She can also dance samba but sadly failed to teach me the moves. She tried, I tried, but this body just won’t move like that. Oh well.

Interviewing Gergo Jonas was also incredibly fascinating. Originally from Hungary in Eastern Europe, he’s lived in the UK for 10 years.

DÉCIMO DIA

Continue lendo “Diário de viagem de Jane Harvey-Berrick – Dia 10”

DAY 9 #brazilliant adventures ❤️

The hot weather continues and I’m seriously tempted to spend the day by the pool, but it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to see more of this diverse and beautiful country.

Besides, I’m told that today’s trip is to a chocolate factory near the historic beach town of Ilhéus. Well, why didn’t you say?!

I imagine a smart, cool factory with melted chocolate being poured into moulds, and then invited to a tasting session.

Instead, our driver drops us off in a lush, green, hilly landscape, where the undergrowth steams from recent rain. This is the Yrerê cacao plantation where the beans that make chocolate are grown.

Cacao is a huge part of the economy in Bahia state. When the crop failed due to blight in the 1980s, only 20% of the plants survived and the price of chocolate shot up.

We slog upwards, some of us barefoot when the path becomes underwater until our guide leads us to a table full of cacao pods the size of Stu’s fist.

Using a machete, the guide opens them up one by one and invites us to suck the cacao beans covered in a sweet, pale flesh. It’s surprisingly delicious, even though it looks unappetising. They also make jam/jelly from this.

Squashing ants underfoot, we sweat our way through the dense foliage, the humidity and heat intense. Stu name’s me ‘Jane of the Jungle’ due to my enormous floppy hat. I don’t care how dumb it looks; without it I’ll be even pinker. Even the Brazilian authors are uncomfortable in the heat, although Andy says that her home in the north near the Amazon is hotter!

At last, we head to the plantation house. First, we are shown the enormous sheds where they dry the beans for 15 days.

Then finally, blessed shade and a chance to drink cacao juice and taste chocolate.

Fran is in photography heaven, even though he has a heavy rucksack of equipment.

We taste sugared cacao beans, then 80% dark chocolate, 72% and 65%. It’s all good, and I’m left even more respectful of chocolate and the effort it takes to make it.

I buy souvenirs for friends and family, but it’s even money if the chocolate will make it back to the UK…

Tomorrow is a work day where I’ll interview as many of the team as I can. I guess being nosy about people puts me in the perfect place at the perfect time 😊

Continue lendo “Diário de viagem de Jane Harvey-Berrick – Dia 9”