15 days project - São Thomé das Letras - Part 14

 Chapter 13 – Goodbyes (with a feeling of i'll be back) 

    I woke up a little later than other days (5 o'clock), after putting on my luggage previously washed clothes that will not be used, I dedicated myself to breakfast and on my mourning duties , I felt that my heart today does not ask for a transfer to visit any distant touristic spot available here. So, I put water and something quick to eat in my backpack and set off, towards the witch's stone through the most difficult access (through the steep stairs), before arriving at my destination, I came across a formation of rocks on the right side , more precisely between the witch's stone and the croix (cruzeiro). I don't know if this rock formation has an official name, but I named it bull stone due to its pointed, almost horizontal edges, which reminds me of a bull in an attacking position. I decided that this formation would be my “new” destination, so I followed the trail through tall, dry vegetation (it hasn't rained here for many days) that led to it, climbed the rock, explored the surrounding area, contemplated the magnificent landscape and I took several photos as the sky was practically cloudless, the visibility provided was hundreds of kilometers.

Rock formation present on the right side of the witch's stone, which I call “bull's stone” 

Access trail to “bull's stone”, highlighted by tall and dry vegetation in its surroundings, making access difficult

Witch's stone from my contemplation/observation point

  Coming down from my contemplation / observation point (bull rock) I decided to climb the witch's rock once again to take some photos, and this time I went up through another access point, a little steeper than the one I used previously but shorter and which also presents some of the characteristics of my previous access point: it has what appears to be steps, I don't know if they were intentionally carved by people into the rock in order to facilitate access or naturally “sculpted” by time through the erosion process.

Access point to the top of the witch's stone, detail of the “steps” that facilitate the climb, as well as the slope 

    In the middle of the climb, I paused to record the access point as well as the sculpture imprinted on the rock by erosion. As I climbed, I unfortunately saw traces of trash and utensils for energy manipulations left by people who had not yet been touched by the “true magic” of the place, the day was so beautiful and the sky was still an almost infinite blue perfection that I turned my attention to what really matters there (in my opinion) the connection with the divine. 

Pause during the climb to record the erosion process, it is possible to see  (on the left) part of the city center 

 After some time recording and contemplating the beauty of the place once again, I made my return with a brief stop at the supermarket to ensure what needed to be purchased early. Once in the apartment, my attention turned to cleaning the place and washing clothes, just for information to the reader, when I talk about washing clothes. After lunch, I intend to select photos (there were many) and go wherever my heart asks to enjoy my last moments in the city. At the end of the afternoon I had to go back to the supermarket because I saw that I had forgotten to buy some things and I could see the frenetic movement in the streets, supermarket, square, today the “harvest festival” begins here in the city and from what I received of information, it is the biggest event of the year. People from all over the state of Minas Gerais and nearby states arrive to enjoy the beauty of São Thomé and the free shows with nationally and internationally renowned artists. All this movement injects a large sum of resources into the local economy, something that is highly expected here in the city, whether for those who will enjoy the shows or those who will increase their revenue due to the substantial increase in people circulating. 

    I could see that the city council seems to be doing everything it can to prevent the collapse of car traffic as well as the city's  basic structure on this critical days ahead , I saw sound cars asking people to move around on foot and many municipal employees providing information and security. Due to all this commotion in the city, I decided that this is my last night of walking because tomorrow I intend to sleep very early because the following day I will have my long pilgrimage back to my homeland. I couldn't  be anywhere on my last free night but on the croix (cruzeiro) , it was there where I saw things at night that I had never seen, it was there that I had experiences whose logic cannot explain, it was there where the beginning of the my cycle in the city and in the silence of my introspection and absence of any expectations, I will stay as long as the cold “allows” to end this cycle with gratitude to everything and everyone involved. 

    The clock showed 8:30 pm when I was already at the top of the croix (cruzeiro) , up there, everything was dark and I could see that there were about 6 or 7 people. I positioned myself a little further back from the canyon and to the right of where I used to be intending a little privacy, the sky was practically cloudless, full of stars and as soon as I “settled” in my new place I started to contemplate that “ gift “, it didn't take long for me to see the first asteroid, so it continued until the seventh. In particular, number 6, which was the most beautiful asteroid/meteorite I have ever seen in my life, it lasted approximately 5 seconds, it appeared on my left, it crossed my horizon until it went out on my right, its light was blue and so intense that during the passage lightened the entire canyon. The people there reacted with screams of excitement to the phenomenon, which also made a light noise like a rock breaking. Regarding unexplained situations on my “farewell” day, I saw an object with circular-shaped lighting in an orange and translucent tone (like a fog of circular light), it flew over an area of native forest about 3 or 4km away on the horizon and then disappeared (it lasted about 6 seconds), another situation occurred later when it was close to the return time, I saw a triangular shaped object without any luminosity, white and dull, similar to a marble but dull, it was apparently large (about 20 meters in diameter, it flew over the same area of native forest as the “orange light”, but it moved horizontally until it “descended” in a forest area behind a mountain, in fact as it was very low, close to the trees I'm not sure if it “went down” behind the mountain or in some clearing (I think it's unlikely as apparently the vegetation was dense) in the middle of the vegetation in the summit area that was about 4km away from where I was. I returned to the apartment around 23:30 pm impacted by everything I witnessed and this time with other people in the place who possibly saw all or part of what I observed. 

    Upon my return to the apartment I could see that the city was full of people, on the streets  was possible to see the traffic of groups heading to the show location because according to the official schedule, the main attraction started or should have started the show at 23 pm, upon arriving at the apartment I took a shower, had dinner and even though I was approximately 1km away from the show location, it was possible to hear the sound coming from the band that was performing. I tried to sleep but was “impregnated” by a strong energy, I simply couldn't and before the reader imagine any relationship with the sound I say that despite the show being performed on an open area the volume was quite “polite”, from what i could hear inside the apartment, by way of comparison, what I heard had a lower volume than that normally used on TV to watch what was convenient for me. It was a night of brief naps without the possibility of true restful sleep. 

Chapter 13 Playlist 

Wolf Larsen: ○ Album: Quiet at the kitchen door 

Izzy Stradlin and the Juju hounds: ○ Album: Izzy Stradlin and the Juju hounds 

Clinton Fearon: ○ Album: Mi deh yah

 

 

The rock - Acrylic - 2024

Gustavo H.F. de Sousa - 15 days project 

 (2023-2024)

Revisiting the sacred mountain 

     The mountain with blades of ore and crystal receives the sediments/ornaments of a time that celebrates the arrival of the new

     Between the right and left summits, on the narrow and winding clay path, there is the transit of what is essential 

   In the surroundings along the way, greens, oranges and bees select the opening for passersby eager for emotions      My eyes allow the entry of everything that brings lightness and wisdom to the soul, forgiving the dust wich is comming  from those who succumb to the rush 

    My attention jumps from one peak to another on a walk rhythmic like the punctuation of a country guitar 

    I follow permitted ramps and declines, straight lines and curves that take me to the observation point where the external brightness is softened and each individuality can expose its tone and intensity 

    From a chair excavated in the rock by holy waters, I end physical activities by irrigating everything that doesn't restrict me

Gustavo H.F. de Sousa - 15 days project 

 (2023-2024)