Shrimp mouth
Expedition to find fresh shrimp on the market and to complete the formalities of leaving the state of Paraïba. And yes, we finally decided to move and join El Salvador de Bahia for the end of year celebrations.
We leave with Jacques and go up the village street towards the station. Objective, Take the 8:06 a.m. train to avoid the heat. 8:15 a.m.… Still no train!!! And Yes, always broken down! Next train in 1h30. So we cross the street to the “Station Café” and order a coffee. Still as bad as ever!! But where is the Brazilian coffee??
When we arrived in Cabedelo we found the harbour master's office “temporary” which is not equipped with computers. In an empty room, an official hands us forms that he seems to discover at the same time as us. With his help, we fill in the form with information that seems useless to us (or even the brand of our VHF radio!!!). Finally, all the boxes are filled. He sends us to town to make photocopies and on our return returns the original decorated with a superb official stamp and his signature. We are in good standing!
Head for the market. It's hot! so first purchase, straw hats. Then the fish market from which we leave with 2kg of large shrimps. Passing through the fruit market you can't resist. And here we are loaded with 10kg of mangoes, Papayas, passion fruit… and bananas that the merchant takes out from under her stall to let us taste… a delight, We had never eaten bananas so juicy, Melting and sweet! Noon is approaching… Passing in front of a barbecue, you can enjoy a small grilled chicken with a beer, then towards the train station. Here you are, the train is almost on time to return to Jacaré!
At sunset, everything is ready for our shrimp feast that Jacques comes to share with us. First, Aperitif on the terrace accompanied by cold shrimps with the pink sauce that goes well (Nathalie's secret). Then freshly cooked shrimp in a fondue of onions and peppers drizzled with coconut milk, served with rice and a small chilled white wine from Arbois to accompany them! Ouch, Ouch, Ouch, What a delight. We lick the dish to the last trace. What's next, The Chiefs (All of us) Grilled shrimp with olive oil, salt and chilli…. But it's too much and we're saving them for tomorrow. So we go straight to dessert… Bananas with cane sugar and flambéed with rum… What a night! my mouth is still watering.
Jacques crossed the Atlantic alone on his sailboat. It's a beautiful aluminum ketch that he put 10 years to renovate… I have rarely seen a sailboat so well refurbished – better than new because Jacques is a sailor and he has thought of everything! He sails four months a year when the marina he manages at Lake Constance is closed. He is a bon vivant who, even alone at sea, takes pleasure in preparing good recipes with the fish he catches – Supporting photos! brief, We found a friend with whom to share and enjoy good food. So we decide to meet around New Year's Eve in El Salvador de Bahia where his partner comes to join him… and we already have some ideas for the menu….
(We will put up photos when we are on land)