Ermida de Nossa Senhora do Pranto
As much as I like to walk alone while exploring the countryside during my sporadic visits to São Miguel, there’s an advantage in knowing family who live there who can show me places (by car!) I might otherwise miss.
In 2014 I was staying in Achada where my father’s cousin, primo João Fernandes, one of the loveliest men I have ever met, would run into me during my long walks. One day he stopped his car and gave me a ride, stopping at the Ermida de Nossa Senhora do Pranto, a chapel he was sure I would like to see. He actually took the time from his busy work life to let me go inside for a few minutes. I was delighted to be shown this ermida, one of the many that populate the island, and to feel its silence and sense of simple mystery.
I would have liked to stay longer but primo was in need of getting back to work and insisted on giving me a ride, as we were still halfway to Achada and he worried about me walking so much, so I politely accepted. I thanked him and waved “Até logo” as I watched him drive off, returning to his cows pasturing in a field somewhere nearby.
Primo João Fernandes and his beautiful smile
Emanuel Melo torontonian azorean writer 
Da associação dos Açores com uma surpresa… só poderia resultar um bom momento!
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You say “he worried about me walking so much.” Did you have an injury, or not enough time before you needed to be elsewhere?
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It’s just that I would walk for five or six hours a day and both he and the other relatives were either amused by it or concerned that I would tire myself out too much by so much walking when they were more than willing to drive me around! lol
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Or maybe they were just trying to create opportunities to chat with you.
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There is that, too. 😊
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As you know, Emanuel, an “ermida” is a chapel in the middle of nowhere, “ermo”, so there’s a certain mystery to it. No wonder you wanted to stay longer. Maybe next time…
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Oh, how beautiful, Emanuel! I did not have internet for 6 weeks and am just now getting a chance to savor the beauty of your pieces. What a joy!
Thanks ever so much for sharing the beauty of your worlds and lens of life.
Un abrazo,
Dawn
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Thank you so much, Dawn. I’m glad you have your internet back. It does allow us to connect with the world, so it’s a good thing. Hope you are enjoying your summer. Un abrazo back. Emanuel
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