Rain, rain go away...

It has been raining steadily for two days here which is most unusual at this time of year, winter is usually very dry. I hope it stops soon as this weekend we are having a communal open-air party to celebrate the Feast of Saint John. This is celebrated all over Brazil with traditional country music and dancing, bonfires and  special food as well as a spicy punch called quentão. People dress up as peasants in straw hats, check shirts and dungarees or long dresses and there is sometimes a shotgun wedding often performed by children.

I believe it was originally a religious Catholic festival brought over from Portugal in the 16th century by the colonists. June has Saint John´s Day and also Saint Anthony´s Day so they are both celebrated. Let´s hope this year the festivities won´t be too damp.