I woke up with the certainty that I would make it to Natal today, I woke up with the certainty that my sun will rise, and I woke up with the certainty that I have had a perfect location to sleep last night. The owner of the shed came to say good morning or maybe to ask for the rent for the night. Before the meeting could turn into a conversation, I said good-bye and thank you. I had already packed my hammock, was ready to leave and just had a minute to take the necessary pictures before I started the car and drove off.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

Just one hour later the blue signboard that was shining in the clear sky high above the road welcomed me back to the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Already yesterday I had send a message to inform about my possible arrival time in order to pick up my baby Matilda and now I was certain that the information was correct, the arrival time was correct and the pickup time was correct. Another hour later, I was on the bypass around Mossoro, the first major city, the second largest city of the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

The last month, basically as from after my robbery in Quito I had been exclusively focused to get back to Natal and had not spent a minute thinking about the continuation of my project, suddenly it was on my mind but I pushed the thought aside immediately. I calculated the time that I would need to apply and receive the German passport, the Brazilian permanent Visa, the driving license and all the credit cards with more than 2 to 3 month. During that time, I would have enough time to think but actually already, the timeframe of 2 to 3 month was kind of an answer to that question.

I had driven the last hundreds of kilometers from Mossoro to Natal probably 20 to 30 times but today was different. I did not drive 120 or 130 kilometers per hour, I drove the allowed 80 kilometers per hour, I listened to one more mix of my friend Albert and drove on, and on, and on, no air condition to save gas, windows open to feel the wind and cool me down. I counted the kilometers backwards and way before lunchtime I could see the skyline from Natal and was excited to pick up my baby Matilda at the agreed time after lunch. Last time, last year for her birthday in December, my visit was a surprise, this time she would know.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

I drove into town and stopped at the city limit of Parnamirim and Natal, at the statue of the 3 Holy Kings and the Shooting Star. I was back in Natal, I was about to pick up my baby Matilda, my project had come to an abrupt change which had brought me here and I did not know if or how it would or could continue. I had very intense but mixed feelings, I knew every bit of the city but everything appeared strange and distant. I took pictures and went back to the car, started the engine, first gear, second gear and then, nothing; the motor was still running but the third gear was not working, back to the second but the second was not working.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

I am neither a mechanic nor do I have any technical knowledge but something was wrong. My mixed feelings wanted to let me cry but I had no tears. I had no tears since my robbery in Quito, there was no need for tears anymore, I had no belongings anymore, I had no money anymore. I let the car roll down the highway with the last speed, turned right into a side street and made it exactly onto a BR gas station. No time to cry, no time to yell, no time to think, just get out and walk the 3 kilometers to the Volkswagen dealer and organize help, organize a solution and be on time to pick up my baby Matilda.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

I arrived at the Volkswagen dealer after a 30 minutes’ walk in the midday heat and it was hot, really hot, it was too hot. I explained the situation and asked to please call Allianz insurance to find out if the car still had insurance and if so to please ask for a tow truck to pick the car up at the BR gas station. The assistant started the conversation but when the questions regarding all the car details and personal details were asked, she wanted to pass the phone to me. I refused to speak, I was not in the condition to speak, I was not patient enough to answer lots and maybe stupid questions. The assistant had to continue and managed to answer everything. I still had insurance and the tow truck would be at the BR gas station within 1 hour.

I arrived back at the BR gas station after a 30 minutes’ walk in the midday heat and it was hot, really hot, it was too hot. I had a drink and a snack at the convenience store and exactly with the last bite in my Snickers and the last zip from my Coca Cola the tow truck arrived. It took 10 minutes to load my friend, 10 minutes to drive to the Volkswagen dealer and 10 minutes to load off my friend again. It was lunchtime and all mechanics were out; I had done what could be done, what had to be done and now I had to wait for the analysis and the quote.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

I took the bus to Ponta Negra and walked the last 2 kilometers to the house of my baby Matilda. The doorbell did not work and I had to shout “Matilda”. I was waiting for her to appear on the terrace and give me a big smile but she had been waiting already close to the door and came directly down the staircase. I could see her coming down, every step, she was careful and had a very shy and much hidden smile in her face, she appeared excited but at the same time full of control. I watched her coming closer with the same shy, the same much hidden smile in my face, I was excited but at the same time full of control. The door opened, I lifted her up and gave her the biggest hug and the biggest kiss.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

For a small understanding of the days travel, I have included a Google Earth map. The red pins mark the locations I have stopped and taken pictures. At the bottom of the page you will find a link for all the pictures I have taken. The link will open in a Google+ Album.

Please click on map to enlarge!!!

See map and distances / Siehe Karte und Entfernungen / Ver mapa e distâncias / Ver mapa y distancias

0 km      Canoa Quebrada

95 km    Mossoro

170 km  Assu

240 km  Lajes

295 km  Riachuelo

370 km  Natal

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.