Fortaleza looks like a mirage of tall white buildings rising from the blue sea, and a place that you should visit. Like most South American cities that we have visited, the beauty of the mirage is an illusion. Maxine, Mal, Barry and I hopped on the complimentary shuttle bus into town, at 8 am knowing that the markets would be closed at noon. It was already steamy hot, as we drove along the road beside the beach that seems to be a prerequisite of any city on this continent. It was deserted at this hour, but we noticed how clean and wide it was, much like Copacabana in Rio. Later in the day, after we returned to the ship, we could see that this same beach was covered in bodies, for Brazilians like to live outdoors, and they like their beaches. A fellow passenger that spins with me every day, told me that she felt completely overdressed on the beach, in her tankini, for all the women had 3 small triangles covering the essentials and that was all, regardless of their age, or size, or shape.
The shuttle dropped us at a market in an old prison, but we promptly walked 4 blocks to the big central local market, which was a hive of business, with ladies selling their handmade wares. Inside the market were 3 stories reachable by ramp or elevator with an elevator lady, who must have been dying in the heat. Every small stall either sold the famous laces, children's clothing, spices, linens, leather goods or carvings. The Portuguese influence is obvious, as all the linens are handmade beautiful items either with intricate lacework, or elaborate cutwork. A woman was hard at work weaving lace borders with shuttles that she manually wove in and out. The leather shoes and bags were very expensive, although we have been spoiled by our Asian markets.
We had had enough of the heat and the sameness by noon, and we headed back to the ship, this time in a cab. The city itself was poor, with little to redeem it. Maybe we just don't have an affinity for South America. Our hearts went out to the people who seem to be hard working, polite, and patient with those of us who had difficulty communicating as they don't speak English and we do not speak Portuguese.
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