Mindelo, Cape Verde: Monte Verde

Last Monday, Alexis, Nelida, and I walked to the top of Monte Verde which is the tallest mountain on this island. We started our walk from the city. It took us about an hour to get to the base of the mountain and then it took us who knows how long to get to the top. Maybe two hours more. Here´s the downer: it was super cloudy that day. When you get to the top you are supposed to have this spectacular view of the island, but all we could see was mist because we were legit standing in a cloud. Well all was not lost...at least we got to hang out with the army for a half hour to watch part of the World Cup. Yeah, who knew. Some soldiers are stationed up at the top to guard the satellites, etc. Anyway, we then walked back to the city which took another two hours.

We hiked to the tip top of the mountain covered with clouds. Which you cant even see.

But don´t worry I took a picture of the peak on a more clear day! See the highest point in the background? I was there!

Hobson and I went on an unofficial tour of Mindelo Thursday and Friday and got to see the whole island. It was incredible. I am living in one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth. We saw the most breath taking beach I have ever seen: Praia Grande. No beach will ever compare to this one.

Oh Thursday it was São João, some holiday here that celebrates a saint john. Apparently it´s tradition to jump over a fire the night before São João. No one here knows why its tradition. it just is. So Wednesday night there were tons of fires with kids jumping over them, then in the center of the city everyone gathers together and there are three BIG fires with adults jumping over them. Except the fire is too high for them to actually jump over them so it´s more like people jumping through the fire. It was crazy. On Thursday there were parades of people banging on drums, and whistling whistles, and dancing. It was really neat to see. So different!