After my mom's death in March of 2014, I decided to explore the outside world again and went on a trip to Minas Gerais where I visited a State Park at Serra do Ibitipoca.
I took a bus that could roll downhill any minute. But locals seem not to be aware of the danger. I focused on the scenic drive.
Then I got to the village of Conceicao do Ibitipoca.
Many homes would look like this.
But it is actually dominated by this kind.
Beautiful expensive hotels for my pocket. So I stayed at an apartment with three bedrooms and more beds than I could count. The only thing that they didn't have and probably the one that I needed most besides the cell phone signal was the internet connection.
But the park was a few kilometers away.
I stopped by a cafe to charge myself with caffeine. As any tourist place, everything looks upscale, but it is in truth just overcharged.
Then, I took the road.
Three kilometers of uphill walk. I understand now why there is a bus to the park entrance.
Well, by the time I arrived at the entrance, I was already on top of the mountain.
I saw I gigantic wall with a stream of dark water running at its feet.
I took a trail to the lake.
Mirror Lake says the sign.
And then it became flat.
Different.
Sometimes pretty.
I wished this were amber ale while drinking straight from the stream.
Then, I changed direction. Steps to the top?
WOW!
Walking down to find the stream running through the rock wall.
Then I followed the stream.
I also dunk my feet into the cold water.
Heaven.
