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The Grussaí restingaThe old dirt road that linked Campos dos Goytacazes to Grussaí and especially
after “Casa Sincera”, older than this that speaks to you, small undulation of the land coud
be seen that would go close to the edge of the beach and paralle to them. Unfortunately,
it cannot be seen clearly now.
They were and are the bunds, elevations, and between them the Restingas,
more or less wide, of undergrowth and more consistent vegetation. We reached Grussaí
through one of these Restingas, that, with the passage of time would become the main
“street“ of this town , the 2nd district of São João da Barra, the current Avenida Liberdade”,
2 km long. As stated, the road, still a dirty road, the electric lighting and running water only
in the imagination and desires of locals and visitors. Even though, with golden seawater
(or muddy, for the bad ones), and other visitors coming before them, my grandfather was
considered one of the first foreigners who arrived at the place.
From now on the memory of some events that Grussaí’s Restinga detains.
Restinga views by those who know it for some time (around nearly eight decades?). And
for certain, the subject cannot be exhausted. I remember felling some impact after two
months’ vacation without interruption and the return to Campos. I got used to see the
other side of the Restinga and the return to the city, the other side of street was there. I
could not hear the horses in their trot, while in return, although the sound of horseshoes
seemed shrill.
I remember the effects of the summer rains. The Restinga and other similar
flooded. To be transposed, it was necessary to build a ground “footbridge”, and to go to
the sea through other Restingas, and it was necessary to put on clogs. And for many
times we used to fish in the Restinga; the alleged victims were skittish “barrigudinhos”
that managed not to be hooked. The baits used in tiny hooks were the breadcrumbs, and
for the fearless, worms (still alive, of course). When the water went down, we tested the
ground steadiness, practicing the “chap-chap”, the sound of stepping on the floor with
clogs. When the sand was dry the “chap” was inaudible and we could already wear shoes
(sneakers? what is this?)
I remember a ditch that was opened to drain the huge amount of water behind
the houses on the right side of the Restinga. The ditch came out of my uncle’s house,
followed the Restinga along its way, passed under the “small bridge” until the end, and
flowed into the Grussaí Lagoon. The ditch had an ephemeral life. The villagers had to
construct a footbridge so the water would pass. Those who had cars should reinforce
the footbridge.The romantic aspect of the ditch:
across Reinaldo Terra and their daughters
Marta, Magaly and Maria Lucia idle house
a meeting point emerged for, conversation,
flirt and guitar. It was known as “Buraca”.
People would walk from the beginning
of the Restinga, near my cousin Paulo’s
house, to participate in the “Buraca”
meeting.
Oh, how miss it!
I remember the volleyball
matches between Atafona and Grussaí,
when the club of the last one was still
under construction. Thanks to the efforts
and dedication of Arlindo Aquino and
Humberto Soares from either side. In
Grussaí, the games were played in the
Restinga, across Santo Amaro church.
Bricks, cases and whatever served as a
seat were considered armchairs. Caravans
of cars carried inflamed fans.
I remember the schedules around
January 15 (Santo Amaro, the patron). The
sports competitions were major. Among
them, the rustic race that started at the
curve to São João da Barra and ended at
the church. In the competition, the two
winners were Teresa Cristina Henriques
and Euclides Gaia (the late Quidinho,
local). I remember something else. But
that’s another story.