Greta Adapts to Lagoa da Italianinha

Since arriving in Lagoa da Italianinha, Greta, a Swedish woman, has been trying to adapt to the place. Accustomed to living in cold places, even with views of the Northern Lights, she was now residing in the heart of Northeast Brazil.

Her father, Adam, had become a partner in the Maniçoba Shopping Center. Her mother, Dagmar, and her brother, Gustav, had also already adapted to the city. Greta liked Lagoa da Italianinha so much that she decided to copy some of the city's inhabitants, starting to walk barefoot and bathe fully clothed, something unusual even in Northeast Brazil itself.

Greta also began wearing 1960s dresses, becoming a vintage girl, and befriended the eccentric vintage girl, Fabíola. But that's not all. Beautiful, single, and friendly, Greta is beginning to get closer to Esdras, the gardener she helps. Esdras, a widower, takes care of his young daughter, Hadassa, who already has a great affection for Greta. Something suggests a romance is on the horizon.

Lúcia searches for Cássia in the rain

When the rain started to fall in Lagoa da Italianinha, Lúcia went out desperately looking for Cássia, because she wasn't home. She knew that Cássia had a habit of getting wet in the rain.

The rain had already stopped when she arrived at the bus station and found Cássia soaking wet. Marlene, the owner of the snack bar, watched the scene. Lúcia said:

- You're hopeless, Cássia, you can't see rain without running off like that...

- I feel good like this, little sister. I feel happy.

- Let's go home to change our clothes.

- I want to stay like this, wet.

- Don't be silly. You might catch a cold. Don't do that.

Cássia, somewhat reluctantly, went with her sister. Marlene laughed and said:

- That Cássia is crazy, wow...

Silvia walks in the heavy rain

The heavy rain falling on Lagoa da Italianinha doesn't intimidate Silvia, the eccentric niece of federal deputy Sandra Valéria. She walks calmly through the rain, regardless of its strength.

It started to rain heavily, and while some ran, Silvia kept walking without hurrying. In a few minutes, she was already quite soaked, and some laughed at her craziness.

Silvia looked at them and said:

"What's wrong? Haven't you ever seen anyone wet before? Take advantage of the rain to wash your clothes, you bunch of idlers."

They laughed at her. But others were worried, after all, she could catch a bad cold.

Marlene at the waterfall

One afternoon, Marlene left her job at the snack bar in the Lagoa da Italianinha bus station and went to the Sol Nascente waterfall. Marlene, very stressed, wanted to spend an afternoon there, and left the snack bar in the care of her employee, Deinha Life.

Marlene is known for her ambition, and she spares no effort to get ahead. She has serious conflicts with her twin sister, Marly, who lives on the streets and causes a lot of trouble.

Marlene still dreams of being mayor of Lagoa da Italianinha. She even ran for office in 2024, but her candidacy was revoked. Marlene was an ally of Mayor Myllena for many years, and then broke with her and became her great enemy.

While Marlene was swimming in the waterfall, some people watched her from afar, and some even called her "mayor."

From rich life to the forest

One of the best-known people in Lagoa da Italianinha is young Rafaela, who lives in the middle of the woods – literally – in the Vale dos Gatos forest reserve.

Rafaela comes from a wealthy family in Limoeiro, and since 2008, she decided to leave everything behind to live in the woods. She fell in love with wildlife and gave it all up.

Since then, Rafaela eats plants and fruits and often bathes in a lake. She always wears a white dress and goes barefoot, and sleeps looking at the sky and the stars in the middle of the woods. Living with her are Daniele, Eduardo, Lulu, and Diana, all of whom abandoned their urban lives to live in nature.

Rafaela also often goes to the city to preach that people should leave urban life and go to the woods. She often talks about Genesis, reminding people that Adam and Eve were placed in a forest, not a city.

Josiane spends the day at the pool

During the day, young Josiane, daughter of state representative Moab, spent the day by the pool at her mansion, not even leaving to eat lunch. Her sister, Natália, said:

"What's wrong, Josiane? Why don't you want to eat lunch?"

"I don't feel like it..."

"Don't do that, my dear. Come and eat."

"If I get hungry, I promise I'll eat. Don't worry."

Josiane dove into the pool and swam the whole time. At one point, Natália wanted to know why her sister was sad. Jefté, their little adopted brother, said to Natália:

"It seems she saw that Valdenes guy with Aline Débora yesterday at Pátio Verona..."

"Ah, that's why she's like this..."

Peruquinha mocks Helga again.

One night, Estefânia, the Little Wig, and Helga were at the Vienna Opera House, where Helga was practicing singing. While waiting for the performance to begin, Helga rehearsed, under the envious gaze of the Little Wig, who said:

"Why are you showing off so much, chubby?"

"Because I'll be singing in Brazil soon."

The Little Wig laughed and said:"Have you gone mad?"

"No. Giovanna Victórya, who lived in my house, is soon to become the Mayor of her city, Lagoa da Italianinha."

The Little Wig said:

"Helga, as far as I know, Brazilians like samba, carnival, and football. I don't believe opera is their forte."

"That's not why I can't present my work." "Over there in Brazil, there are people who have strayed a bit from the musical style most played there, there's the famous opera singer Bidu Sayão, there's Carlos Gomes, the composer who wrote 'O Guarani'...

- You're very well-informed, huh?

- Yes, I studied about that country. When I perform there, I want to be familiar with what the people are like there.

Helga began to sing, and Peruquinha looked at her enviously."

Warlla rejected among the beggars

Even living on the streets, Warlla, the chic beggar, continues to suffer rejection from other beggars. She doesn't lose her composure, and even being a beggar, considers herself "superior" to the others.

In an alley, Rita de Cássia, Andreza, Guilherme, Renata, and Gílson were there, and they didn't like Warlla's presence. Rita de Cássia, who has the mind of a child, uses a pacifier, and carries a doll, said:

- What do you want here, witch?

Warlla said:

- Is that any way to talk to me?

- Yes, it is!

Andreza said:

- Warlla, you're not welcome, get out of here.

- Oh my, the stinky one talking about me, that's all I needed.

Guilherme said:

- Don't speak ill of Andreza.

- Oh my, the protector now, huh? Oh, I forgot, Guilherme, you're crazy about her, but she doesn't want you. But how could you want an ugly old woman like that, huh?

Andreza was about to get up to hit Warlla, but Renata held her back, saying:

- It's not worth getting dirty for her.

Warlla said:

- Here everyone protects everyone, what a thing.

- Go away! 

- said Gilson.Warlla said:

- Damn, you guys stink, and even worse are Renata and Gilson, who don't even shower.

- Oh, look who's talking. You smell so good... - said Renata.

- But I do shower.

The beggars got up to try to take her away, but Warlla lay down on the sidewalk. Gilson said:

- It's better if we leave her there, that imbecile. It's starting to drizzle.

They ended up spending the night there together, even with Warlla's presence being a nuisance.

Josenilda and Marlene are having fun in the pool

One Sunday, Josenilda invited Marlene to visit the pool at a friend's house. Marlene said:

"You're going to the pool? This time you're going in your swimsuit, okay?"

"Never. I'm going in even with sneakers on, and I told her you also swim like that."

"Wow, great. I like it."

Josenilda and Marlene went to their friend's house, and they entered the pool fully clothed, surprising the other swimmers nearby. One of them said:

"Two crazy country bumpkins, are you ashamed of your bodies? They must look awful, they have to go into the water like that, they don't even take off their sneakers."

Josenilda said:

"Crazy is your grandma, I go in however I want, it's my clothes and it's none of your business. Mind your own business!"

Marlene retorted:

"That's right, mind your own business, you idiot."

"You two are feisty, look at that." I don't know how the lady of the house lets this ridiculous scene happen.

The lady of the house was also swimming, in her bathing suit, and seeing what was happening, said to the young man:

- Leave them alone, they like to bathe like that, dressed.

- They're two crazy women.

- Stop disrespecting them, or you can pack your bags and get out of here.

The man remained silent, while Josenilda and Marlene had fun.

Chased by her aunt

Josiane, the daughter of state representative Moab, besides being controlled by her father and hated by her sister Danúzia, is also persecuted by her envious aunt, Ana Patrícia.

One morning, while Josiane was swimming in the pool, Ana Patrícia appeared and stared at her. Josiane said:

- What are you looking at?

- Nothing, I'm just keeping an eye on you!

- Stop it, you don't control my life, you're not my mother, you're just my aunt!!!!!!

Ana Patrícia laughed and said:

- And you're nothing but a spoiled little princess who dishonored the family by getting involved with a street beggar.

- That's none of your business! Go away!

Ana Patrícia left and went into the mansion, while Josiane remained in the pool.

Santa after a stressful day

 

After a long day at work, Santa arrived at her humble home and, to relax, went straight to the bathroom. Wearing a white blouse, jeans, and sneakers, she stepped into the shower. As the water ran over her clothes, she felt free, light, and relaxed.

Santa works at Quitéria's snack bar in the Verona courtyard, in the center of Lagoa da Italianinha. Despite being cheerful and friendly, she also gets stressed rather easily.

Besides always showering with her clothes on, Santa is also known for her love of overeating.

Ilene having fun in the pool

Ilene, the businesswoman who runs a wetlook modeling agency in Lagoa da Italianinha, doesn't just swim fully clothed for business reasons, but out of passion.

In a friend's pool, Ilene went for a swim dressed like an executive. She even insisted on putting on her jacket before getting in the pool. She was having a lot of fun, and the people around her looked at her in surprise.

In the city, Ilene holds important positions, and she is also the sister of the mayor, Myllena.

Helga, the opera singer

Living in the center of Vienna, the capital of Austria, young Helga is a personal friend of the current deputy mayor of Lagoa da Italianinha, Giovanna Victorya. It was Helga and her family who hosted Giovanna when she left Berlin, it's worth noting that Giovanna spent eight years abroad, four years in Germany and four years in Austria.

Helga is an opera singer and dreams of conquering the world. But she faces the envy of Estefânia, known as Peruquinha, who constantly mocks Helga for being overweight. One day, Helga was at the Vienna Opera House, empty, just rehearsing, when Peruquinha said:

- Be careful not to break the floor!

Franz, who was with Helga, said:

- Calm down, Helga, don't pay attention to her!

- I don't pay attention, if I do, I'll get a shock!

Heinrich, Peruquinha's husband, disagreed with his wife's bad temper and intended to sponsor Helga for an artistic career outside of Austria. Hens, Monica, Christine, and Ravi, the latter being in love with Helga.

Upon learning that Giovanna was about to become mayor of Lagoa da Italianinha, she called her:

- I heard you're about to become mayor of your city, don't forget to invite me to do a show there!

Giovanna said:

- I would love to, Helga, it would be great, I'm a fan myself, but here, the challenge is that people are more fans of forró, that kind of thing, it's not like there.

- Oh, don't you have a schedule for me?

- Of course I do, I'll look here and see what I can do. It seems there's going to be an inauguration of a museum in the house where Inalda, a German woman from the 1930s, lived. If you're interested, you could sing at the inauguration. Since Germany and Austria are two neighboring countries with similar cultures, it might interest you.

- Yes, I'm interested.

"Very well, Helga, let my mother resign and hand over the mayoralty to me, and we'll see about that."

Helga, hanging up the phone, was happy, and Franz asked:

"Why so happy?"

"I'm going to sing in Brazil!"

"Seriously? When?"

"Giovanna, who was here with us, is about to become mayor of her city. There's going to be the inauguration of a museum in the house where a German woman lived there, and she wants to see if I'll sing there. I hope so!"

Quitéria confronts Priscila at her snack bar

Quitéria, considered a loving person, is also known for losing her temper easily, as happened one afternoon when the beggar Priscila bothered customers at her snack bar in Pátio Verona, in Lagoa da Italianinha. Priscila entered the place to beg for alms from some people, but the beggar is also known for stealing things when no one is looking.

Quitéria, seeing that Priscila was there, approached and said:

- Priscila, get out of my snack bar now! Do you think this is the bus station, where you can do whatever you want? There's order here!

- What's this, just because you're of Italian descent you think you're something special and hate poor people, is that it?

Quitéria said:

- It has nothing to do with poverty, because other people who live on the streets, like you, but who are honest and upright, are always welcome here. But you like to take things from others without anyone seeing.

Priscila laughed and said ironically:

"Talking is easy, I want to see you prove it... if I stole, I wouldn't even live on the streets anymore."

"You're really cheeky, aren't you? Get out of here now."

"Okay, I'll go. Calm down. Why are you so angry with me?"

Quitéria said:

"You're still asking? One night, I didn't give you alms, and the next day, it dawned... it's right here in front of the snack bar... do you know what happened?"

"Oh, I didn't defecate on your doorstep, woman," said Priscila.

"Liar, the cameras caught everything. I know you made a mess right here in front of my establishment!"

"Okay, if you don't give me alms, I'll do it again."

Quitéria grabbed a broom and said:

"Get out, get out! And I'm going to put the police to watch you tonight, you cheeky thing." Priscila stuck her tongue out at Quitéria and stormed out, annoyed.

Two new couples in Lagoa da Italianinha

One afternoon, in the center of Lagoa da Italianinha, two friends were chatting happily. Both were single and had met interesting women. Caio and Egídio are childhood friends; Caio is descended from the Portuguese Mary Dee, while Egídio is descended from the German Danielly.

One day, they met, and Caio said:

- Egídio, can you believe I met a beautiful and interesting woman?

- Seriously???? Me too, I was going to tell you the news.

- Yes, a very intelligent, very well-mannered woman. She's not from Pernambuco, she's from Italy.

- Well, the one I met is also Italian.

- That's normal, this city was founded by Italians, that's what there is most of here.

- What does she do for a living? - Egídio wanted to know.

- She's a model.

- Well, the one I met is too.

- Seriously???? "But she's a different kind of model, she's not like the others," said Caio.

"In what sense?"

"She likes to take videos and photos showering with her clothes on, and she herself says she only showers with her clothes on, I don't know how she manages it."

Egídio got irritated and said:

"Wait, the one I met is also a model and showers with her clothes on."

"This has to be a joke, Egídio. You're kidding! It can't be the same woman. Actually, it could be. This business of showering with clothes on, let's be honest, is crazy. But I liked her anyway."

"But it seems we're going to fight, because the woman we met is Italian, showers with her clothes on, and is a wetlook model, therefore, they can't be two women, my friend. Or ex-friend, right?"

Suddenly, the Italian women Claudia and Erica appeared, and Caio immediately ran to hug Claudia, saying:

"She's mine, don't even touch her!"

Egidio laughed and said:

"Dude, I just saw her. Relax, the one I'm interested in is the other one, the barefoot one. Erica."

"Really????"

Egidio hugged Erica and said:

"We almost fought thinking it was the same woman."

Cláudia said:

"Questa donna è mia amica Erica, anche fare bathno vestiti!"

"Ecco!" said Erica.

Caio and Claudia went to talk, and Egidio and Erica went together to another side.

Waldo and Karola dance in the rain

One night in Berlin, Waldo was walking through the streets with the singer Karola, with whom he seemed to be dating, although not yet officially. Waldo was trying to start his life anew after numerous rejections from Margarete, who is now dating Jordan.

As they walked in the center of Berlin, near the Brandenburg Gate, a heavy rain began to fall. Waldo said:

"Let's run, the rain is heavy!"

Karola said:

"Who said I want to run out of the rain? I love the rain!"

"But be careful, you might catch a cold."

"It's okay, just being by your side makes me happy!"

Waldo smiled, and out of nowhere, they began to dance together in the rain. Besides dancing, Karola also sang, which enchanted Waldo.

A car passed nearby and someone inside was watching them. It was Margarete, who was with her brother Manfried, who said:

"What are you looking at?" —Those two crazy people. Look over there, the crazy guy who was after me. It worked out with that other crazy woman.

—You should thank God he gave up on you. Wasn't that what you wanted?

Margarete remained silent. Later, Waldo arrived home, and his friends Fritz, Egon, and Felix were there. Fritz said:

—You're all wet, what happened?

—Something very good, Karola and I in the rain!

Egon said:

—That's good. Get changed quickly, or you'll catch a cold.

Waldo went to change, and Felix said:

—At least he seems happy.

Karola arrived home, and although she got scolded by her parents Max and Brigite, she was very happy.

Coffee with Culture while strolling by the waterfall

During Carnival in Lagoa da Italianinha, the members of Café com Cultura – siblings Eraldo and Luana, Cássia, Valdenes, Ana Karina, and Branquinha – planned a trip to the Sol Nascente Waterfall. Eraldo, Luana, and Ana Karina brought their swimsuits, but Cássia, Valdenes, and Branquinha went in fully clothed, and Valdenes attracted more attention by wearing a suit jacket. Branquinha said:

- What kind of suit jacket is that, Valdenes?

- I'm wearing it for the first time today. I've never worn it before, I received it as a gift.

- Wow, and you're wearing a suit jacket for the first time at a waterfall? - said Luana.

- Yes, definitely. I'll wear it here as I might wear it to a party.

- Wow, that's crazy... - said Ana Karina.

Eraldo said:

- Here in the city, some people swim fully clothed, but Valdenes seems more radical...

- True, even I was surprised... - said Branquinha.

The six of them had fun at the waterfall, and at one point, Branquinha almost drowned, and Valdenes saved her. Eraldo said:

"Careful, Branquinha, you don't even know how to swim properly."

"Sorry, I slipped on a rock."

"Don't scare us like that, please."

They spent the whole afternoon there. When they left, Eraldo, Luana, and Ana Karina got dressed, while Cássia, Valdenes, and Branquinha had to wait for their clothes to dry. Cássia said:

"This afternoon was wonderful, I'm happy again!!!!!!"

"That's good, Cássia, that you feel happy. That's very gratifying for us," said Luana.

When it was 5 pm, they walked together, and each one returned to their home.

Warlla attracts attention at the gas station

On Ash Wednesday afternoon, at a gas station in Lagoa da Italianinha, Warlla, the "chic beggar," went to take a shower at the gas station where she usually bathed. Some people passed by and looked at the "dirty lady" in the shower.

Warlla said:

- What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen anyone taking a shower before?

A woman said:

- In lady clothes and a purse, I've never seen that before.

Warlla said:

- I don't have a house, this is my bathroom, and you wanted me to be naked in public, did you? Never. I go in like this, and it's none of your business!

At one point, Warlla took off her purse, and taking water from the shower, started throwing it at people, saying:

- Get lost! Go find clothes to wash, because at least I'm already washing mine!

They were still surprised by her purse, but there was nothing inside; she just put it on her shoulder to pose...

Wellia and Alice in conflict

One afternoon, Wéllia summoned her daughter Alice to her advertising agency and said to her, in an irritated tone:

"Alice, I saw you today with those thugs. I want you to stop hanging out with them."

"Why, Mom?"

"Those poor kids have nothing to offer, my daughter."

Alice said:

"Mom, Samuel is the son of the flight attendant Valéria who lives in London, Tontom is the son of Mimi who ran for mayor, and Mateus is the son of Mayor Myllena."

"They are poor, yes. Samuel only lives in dirty clothes and flip-flops, Tontom is completely crazy, one foot shod and the other barefoot, and Mateus is the worst, the barefoot one. To me, anyone who walks barefoot belongs to the lowest rung of society, belongs to the scum. They may be rich, but if they walk barefoot, they are disgusting and worth less than a rat."

Alice said:

"So, Valdenes, Mayor Myllena, Judge Suely, businesswoman Karla Patrícia, singer Marília do Acordeon, councilwoman Vanessa...?"

"Yes, they're all the worst scum. The beggar Warlla manages to be above them all, because she wears shoes."

Alice looked at her mother, noticed her pants were dirty, and smelled a bad odor. She took a deep breath and said:

"Mom, sorry, but someone who gets their pants dirty with shit can't speak ill of someone who goes barefoot."

"That's my problem, respect me."

"Okay, Mom. I love you and respect you. But I won't stop being friends with Samuel, Mateus, and Tontom, okay?"

Alice left, and Wéllia, nervous, started smoking. Wéllia said:

"Alice is being very rebellious..."

Danúzia causes controversy at hotel

During Carnival, Danúzia, the daughter of state representative Moab, spent the days at a crowded hotel on the coast of Pernambuco. But she caused controversy there.

This is because she entered the pool in her usual bathing attire, fully clothed. The hotel prohibited entry with anything other than swimwear.

Some people found it strange to see the lady in the pool, and others called the hotel manager, who went over and said:

- Miss, please get out of the pool.

- Why?????

- Because you are improperly dressed.

Danúzia said:

- Am I naked? Am I committing indecent exposure?

- No, but entering the pool in city clothes is against the rules.

Danúzia got out of the pool and said:

- I only bathe like this, dear. I don't take my clothes off.

- Why????

- Because I'm chic even underwater. And in the city where I live, Lagoa da Italianinha, there are some who do exactly that.

- Right, but this isn't Lagoa da Italianinha, this is Porto de Galinhas, in the municipality of Ipojuca. And take off those clothes and go in wearing a swimsuit, a one-piece or a bikini, as you should.

- That's something poor people do! Do you know who I am? I'm the daughter of state representative Moab! Who is your friend and has stayed at this hotel many times.

- You could be the daughter of the King of England, you have to follow the rules!

- You know what? I'm not going in that pool anymore. I'm going to the beach, there nobody stops me from going in fully clothed, right?

- Do whatever you want, as long as you don't go in the pool like that.

Danúzia, irritated, went to the beach and dove in. She attracted attention just the same, but she wasn't stopped this time.

Tense encounter in the city center

One night, Josiane and Valdenes had arranged to meet on one of the main streets of Lagoa da Italianinha. Josiane took advantage of her father Moab being in Recife to go talk to her beloved.

But while they were talking, the florist Aline Débora appeared and said:

- Look who I found? The little princess from Maceió wanting to be with my Valdenes.

- What kind of talk is this? - said Valdenes - I'm not dating anyone, for crying out loud.

- Oh, no? Really, but you're going to date me, not her.

Josiane said:

- Show me some respect, okay?

- Geez, you think you're better than me because you're a congressman's daughter? Big deal!

Valdenes said:

- Let's stop this, you two? By the way, Aline, I was just talking to Josiane.- Talking... oh, okay.

Josiane said:

- Valdenes, I'm going now, we'll talk more later.

- Okay.

Josiane left and went to the car, where the driver was waiting for her. Valdenes said:

- Aline Débora, satisfied?

- Well, what do you see in that crazy, depressed, and anxious woman? I don't depend on medication like her, nor do I have mental problems, and if you date me, nobody can stop you.

Valdenes didn't answer and left. Aline Débora said to herself:

- I can still separate those two and be with him...

Warlla enjoys herself at the fountain at night

In Lagoa da Italianinha, the night was cold, but that didn't stop Warlla, the "chic beggar," from entering the town square's fountain to bathe. As she entered, she said:

"I'm all covered in poop and pee, I'm going to wash myself here now!!!!"

People looked at her with irony and mockery, as some remembered her from when she was part of high society. Warlla plunged into the fountain a few times and, seeing the people watching her, she said:

"What are you looking at? Go catch frogs, you bunch of idlers!"

One of the women said:

"Look who's talking, the most gossipy woman in town, not even her family likes her, that's why she lives on the streets."

Warlla threw water at the woman and the people near her. She continued to have fun in the fountain, while some people took pictures. She posed and didn't seem to care how much she was being observed.

Afterwards, Warlla left the fountain and walked soaked through the streets of the city. She would only lie down on the sidewalk once it was dry.

Reflections of Rita de Cássia

After spending a few hours sleeping at the bus station in Lagoa da Italianinha, Rita de Cássia, a forty-something with the mind of a child, went to a square where she sat with her doll, contemplating the sky, around 3 a.m. Suddenly, Rita began to speak to her doll:

"See, Dalila? This sky is so big... there's an all-powerful Father watching over us... and human beings don't like Him... because they do everything He doesn't want..."

Rita stopped speaking, and then continued:

"Wars, killings, famine, people go hungry, like me... corruption, theft, racism, xenophobia... all of this displeases the Father..."

Rita paused again, and then said:

"I think people talk so much about the end of the world, and it's near..."

Rita lay down and said to her doll:

"Say this out loud: 'I love you, Jesus!'"

From afar, hippie Malu had woken up because she'd gone to get a glass of water, and she saw Rita in the distance. Malu thought:

"Poor thing... talking to her doll...

A different kind of elegance

Judge Suely, known for her eccentric appearance, always attracts attention. She walks to the courthouse or her office, as her home is close to both locations, and she can't walk down the street without drawing attention, not only for her simplicity and refusal to use a car to go to such a nearby place, but also for her appearance, bald and barefoot.

Suely decided to go bald in 2017, and since then, she shaves her head every two days. And she says she doesn't miss having hair. She has been walking barefoot for years, as has her sister, Mayor Myllena, and also says she feels good without shoes.

Suely has been the target of administrative proceedings, where some judges felt that her behavior was "incompatible" with the judiciary. But Suely was acquitted several times, as the judge did not see in her any type of behavior that was worthy of repudiation. In fact, these judges who judged her were driven by envy.

In the evangelical church where she attends, she is also the target of much suspicion. Not only her, but her daughters Sara and Diná are also bald by choice, and there Suely, who often leads worship, is also viewed with suspicion. Suely is a member of the Free Feet Society, which brings together the barefoot people of the city and also wishes to form a group of bald women.

But even those who find her appearance strange agree that she is elegant, and she attracts attention because of it. One of the people who admires her most has said publicly:

- Dr. Suely doesn't need hair or shoes to be elegant. She already is by nature.

Cássia plays in the river in front of spectators

One morning, Cassia left home without telling her siblings and went to a bridge far from the city center, where she jumped into a river. She swam in the river and played a lot, and from the bridge, some people watched her. One of them said:

"Look at that crazy girl, swimming in the river like that."

"She has no sense, everyone knows her in Lagoa da Italianinha."

Another shouted:

"Get out of the river!!!!!!"

Cassia didn't care. She dived and swam. More than two hours later, when she got out of the river, she saw these people and asked:

"What's wrong? Haven't you ever seen anyone swimming in a river?"

They laughed at her, and Cassia left, not caring about their irony.

Gilvânia's Oddities

Councilman Marco Aurélio's sister, Gilvânia, is known for being highly eccentric and strange. Even though she's not a vampire, she likes to sleep inside a coffin she bought herself, and is greatly feared for this sinister habit. She laughs at those who call her a "witch" or "vampire." She usually walks barefoot—she doesn't own a single pair of shoes—and wears a cap on her head, in addition to eating insects.

Gilvânia, who lives in a large mansion in Lagoa da Italianinha with her siblings, is a great enemy of her cousin Danúzia, with whom she harbors a strong antipathy. In the city, Gilvânia is considered unfriendly and antisocial, she has an aversion to parties and social life, preferring to stay isolated in her room. Although she hates dressing like a lady, she also despises the poor, especially beggars.

Marco Aurélio tries to bring his sister into society, without success. When Gilvânia goes to a party, she ends up creating a situation that even gets her kicked out.

Called a "hoodlum" by Danúzia, she often speaks ill of her cousin, the wealthy woman. Curiously, Gilvânia gets along well with Cíntia, Danúzia's wheelchair-bound sister, who is a city councilwoman and, incidentally, also hates Danúzia. Gilvânia and Cíntia often plot evil deeds together. Gilvânia also ridicules the townspeople who bathe fully clothed – including her cousin Danúzia, calling them "country bumpkins."

Hated by almost everyone in town, Gilvânia doesn't even care. In fact, she makes a point of not being loved...

Stroll on the beach

One Sunday, leaving Lagoa da Italianinha alone, Valdenes wanted to venture to a beach near Paulista. Taking a very early bus from the city, passing through Limoeiro and Carpina, he arrived in Recife, and from there, managed to get to Paulista.

Upon arriving at Janga beach, he looked for a beach with few people, as he might attract attention by going in fully clothed. And so, he immediately went into the sea, where he swam for more than an hour.

Some people watched him from afar and said things, calling him a "country bumpkin." But he dove into the water and had a lot of fun.

After getting out of the water, he walked along the sand while his clothes dried. Only then could he get a car to return to Recife, and from there, take a bus back to Lagoa da Italianinha.

The new teacher

At the school in Vitalba, Tuscany, the students went to another class. Vittorio, the barefoot student, was once again attracting attention. The teacher was new and surprised. He asked:

- Why aren't you wearing shoes?

- I don't like to wear them. I like to live like this, barefoot...

- I don't know how you stand it...

- Yes, me and that bald student, Sara Sofia, too... but is there a problem with that?

- No, nothing against it. But tell me something else, I've heard you know a lot about Italian history and geography, right?

- Well, I...

Jolanda said:

- He does, professor. He knows the names of all the kings, presidents, and prime ministers of Italy by heart.

- Don't exaggerate, Jolanda... - said Vittorio, trying to sound modest.

The professor said:

- Very well, then tell me which Prime Minister of Italy held office when the monarchy ended and the republic began, and tell me when he governed, and when he was born and died.

Vittorio said:

- Alcide de Gasperi, Prime Minister from 1945 to 1953, who was born in 1881 and died in 1954.

- Wow, that's right. I'll make it easier now. Who was the Prime Minister when the current president, Sergio Mattarella, took office in 2015?

- Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister from 2014 to 2016.

- Impressive. I liked this student.

The professor began his lesson.

Back to school

Back to school, friends Samuel, Alice, Mateus, and Tontom met again at the school where they all study, the Sister Renata Augusta Convent School, run by Sister Alcineia.

Tontom is actually new to the school, having just enrolled. But the other three have been studying there for some time.

Samuel, son of Valéria, is inseparable from Alice, Wéllia's daughter, and is in love with her, but Mateus, the mayor Myllena's son, also wants to date her. But Alice rejects both, as she wants to prioritize her studies over dating.

Tontom, Mimi's son, joined these friends and has been having a lot of fun with them. But only the first three are in the same class, and Tontom is in a different class, meaning they only see each other during recess.

Inalda and her traditions

 In 1940, the German painter Inalda turned 45 years old and lived in the interior of Pernambuco, at the Maniçoba farm, now Lagoa da Italianinha. Although the city greatly preserves Italian culture due to its founders, Inalda was the first foreigner to reside there. She moved to the farm in the Pernambuco hinterland, which at the time belonged to Vila Dourada, at only 20 years old, in 1915, twenty years before the arrival of Italian and Portuguese immigrants.

Even living in a highly Catholic region, Inalda preserved her Jewish tradition. One of the reasons she chose Pernambuco as her home is because Recife was home to the first synagogue on the American continent.

She read the Torah daily and preserved her roots, as she was also the daughter of Jews. She suffered much prejudice, mainly from the devout Lady Andréia, a devout Catholic who spent part of her life persecuting Inalda. During the war, Lady Andréia denounced Inalda because she was from one of the Axis countries – Germany – which led to Inalda, two Italian families, and a humble Japanese family residing in Vila Dourada having their radios confiscated. Inalda also taught her art, and Maria Clara, a humble peasant girl, was one of her students.

Inalda also suffered greatly for the Jews who were being persecuted by the German dictatorship. She had escaped because she had been living in Brazil for years, but she worried about her cousin Danielly and her friends Lucélia, Stella, and Alessandra, the latter of whom was not Jewish, but a communist.

Only Stella died during this period, but the others managed to survive. Lucélia went to Israel, Danielly to Pernambuco to live with Inalda, and Alessandra went to Alagoas.

Inalda was always very beloved in Lagoa da Italianinha, and today her great-granddaughters Taline and Teane are trying to open a museum in the house where Inalda lived.

Andreza and the bath at the bus station

One morning, a scene caught everyone's attention in the bus station courtyard in Lagoa da Italianinha. Andreza, a beggar, was taking a bath with the help of Cida, a woman who lives inside a barrel.

Andreza asked Cida for help:

- Help me out, I don't even know where Guilherme is, and I need to take a bath. I'm all covered in poop and pee, at least to get rid of this stench I have.

- Okay, take off your clothes and shoes...

- What? And I'm going to be naked in public? Not at all, with clothes and everything.

- Then take off your shoes.

- I won't even take that off, Cida.

- Oh my god...

- Go on, get a bucket with water and soap, come on. Throw water on me, without fear, just as I am, with clothes and shoes. And get some soap too!

Cida got the bucket and wet Andreza, who was "washing" herself. Some watched the scene from afar and laughed, mainly at Andreza.

Cida had to bring buckets of water many times to wet Andreza. Finally, after the last one, Andreza said:

- Now, I'm going to walk around, thank you very much.

- And will you give me some change?

Andreza said:

- I was going to give you some change, but I remembered something.

- What?

- I have 2 reais, but it's in my pants pocket... and I'm all wet.

- What a crazy girl, why didn't you take it out before?

- I forgot, that's all.

- Give it to me wet, then.

Andreza took the bill and gave it, wet, to Cida, and left. Cida hung the bill on her barrel and said:

- That one's not quite right in the head, geez... I'm crazy, but I think she's better than me.

Passing by the Cathedral

One afternoon, Jolanda and her classmate Vittorio were walking home from school when they decided to stop and talk in front of the Vitalba Cathedral. At one point, Jolanda said:

"Look at that church! My dream is to get married in a church like that..."

"Really????"

"Yes, me in a beautiful wedding dress with a handsome, elegant, and very intelligent groom. People from Tuscany, people coming from Siena, from Florence, to see my wedding..."

"Well, and may I know who this lucky man would be who would marry you?"

Jolanda said:

"A certain classmate of mine, handsome and intelligent, knows everything about Italian Geography and History, kings, presidents, and prime ministers, who is authentic, walks barefoot everywhere, is very knowledgeable, and is also an artist, he makes up incredible stories."

Vittorio felt awkward, as she was talking about himself. He said:

"Wow, I even feel awkward when you talk like that..."

"Don't be." It's no secret how much I care for you.

Jolanda picked up her notebooks and said:

"I'm going now, see you tomorrow. My house is just across the street..."

"Wait, I'll go with you. Can I?"

"Of course you can."

Jolanda and Vitório went to her house. Jolanda asked:

"I hope you'll write a story and put me as your romantic partner."

"You and me?"

"Why not? A beautiful romance story, don't you think? Do it, I'll be so happy."

"Okay, Jolanda, I will."

"After dropping her off at her house, Vitório returned home. Maria, his adoptive mother, scolded him:

"Where were you until now?"

"Sorry, I was with Jolanda, I went to her house with her."

Maria said:

"This time, it's okay. Because I like her very much."

Although Vitório still liked Alessandra, his other classmate, he was tired of being rejected by her and had already been thinking about giving Jolanda a chance, as she had always shown him love and affection. And that afternoon, he began to make some drawings and writings with himself and Jolanda as characters.

Concern for the beggar

 

As night fell in Lagoa da Italianinha, the beggar Rita de Cássia was sleeping in the bus station courtyard, hugging her doll Dalila, and was spotted by Malu, Valdenes, and Marlene, the owner of the bus station snack bar. Marlene said:

"Would it be a good idea to wake her up now?"

"No. Rita usually gets nervous when she's woken up," said Malu. "She might even smash that doll of hers against the three of us."

Marlene said:

"Valdenes, you and I have lived on the streets, just like her, and we've gotten out, so why does she want to stay like this?"

"She says she feels freer this way, without commitments in life..."

Malu said:

"Poor thing, I think she's had a lot of disappointments in life, an eternal child. I protect her a lot, she's a sweetheart, you know?"

"But you should take her off the street and put her in a clinic," said Marlene.

"No, we shouldn't force her to do anything. Rita, if she goes to a clinic, she can run away. We can't force her," said Malu.

Marlene said:

"Look, I still wonder why on earth she uses that pacifier and has a doll. She's over 40 years old; I met her on the streets when she was already an adult."

"She has the mind of a child, she acts like a child," said Valdenes. "She's always been like that."

Malu said:

"True, but let's leave her there peacefully, sleeping. There are no cars or buses where she is, let's leave her there. I always pray for her to be protected in this difficult life she leads, without a home or family."

"That's right, Malu," said Valdenes.

Malu, Valdenes, and Marlene left, and each went to their own home, while Rita de Cássia slept.