We felt such peace

The view from the gate

My husband and I spent a restful several days at Pousada Viva. This was our second visit to Brazil, but our first visit to this farm community and bed and breakfast about an hour and a half from Rio.

We made arrangements for Helena to meet us at the airport.  It was a relief to see her smiling face after we breezed through customs.  She whisked us away from busy Rio. We kept driving up and up around winding mountain roads. Past Itaipava (where we later visited the farmers market), Correas and the farm community of Bom Fim.  A warning….the roads are bumpy the last 30 minutes of the drive, but you are experiencing the Brazil most tourists never see.  And it helps that Helena is a native and competent driver.

Gilvania at the wood stove

Then we were at Pousada Viva with the incredible mountain scenery!  The pictures don’t do it justice!  We felt such peace after our busy journey.  We were welcomed by Leigh and their Jack Russell, Zuca. Gilvania, the housekeeper also appeared to welcome us to Brazil.  She is a wonder with their wood stove and baked bread and made native rice and bean dishes.  We selected a mixture of native foods and the vegetarian raw foods for our food plan  Refreshing, delicious and healthy is what describes the meals.  I’m 68 and had my yearly check up with my doctor when we returned.  All my blood work for cholesterol and triglycerides was the best in years!

We stayed in Lua, the larger guest room, which has just been comfortably refurbished.  It was so quiet and we slept so well!

My husband and I are birders and sat in the yard early in the morning being dazzled by the variety of beautiful birds.  We took a hike of the property with Leigh and Sr. Tiao, their gardener.  He was able to point out so many interesting plants, gardening techniques and local stories.

Sightseeing in Teresopolis

In the afternoons I enjoyed the hammock for a quiet rest and to soak up the view. If you’re lucky, Zuca may join you.  Leigh and Helena graciously included us in the preparation of some of the meals.  My husband enjoyed picking vegetables from their extensive gardens.  If you are there when the jabuticaba fruit is ripe be sure to taste some.  If not, buy some of the jelly in the farmers market.  We’ve been amazing our friends with its deep flavor.

We have traveled extensively and this was one of those “one of a kind” places. You’ll have a unique and special experience at beautiful Pousada Viva.

Nancy and Bruce,

Fairport, New York

I felt as if I’ve lived there always

Pousada Viva was a perfect entry to the beauty, spirit and restorative power of this country. The Pousada is indeed a special place. I found myself instantaneously relaxed and fully connected with everything around me. The purple hued mountains, the pair of green parrots that soared above me wing-in-wing, the summer and winter garden whose bounty fueled my body and soul every day, the smells, the light, the warmth of the owners…

I felt as if I’ve lived there always. I felt as if I could stay forever.

Leigh and Helena transcend what it means to be gracious hostesses with limitless knowledge of the local fauna and flora, who know your every need before you do and greet you always with beaming smiles and hugs. They invite you to be part of their home and their family. That is one invitation you should take without a second thought.

Viva's outdoor dining room

As I think back to how I felt when I was there and what stayed with me when I left, I am challenged to come up with the right words. Nothing seems adequate enough and then I remembered this:

“When you are inspired…all your thoughts break their bonds; Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dorman forces, faculties and talents become ALIVE, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” —Patanjali

Yes! That’s it exactly. It’s the feeling of being fully ALIVE. VIVA!

Barbara MacEachern

Boston, MA, USA