Living in a metropolis has its perks. One is the ability to depart from its bustling streets. Having immersed myself in grand adventures in the country’s most populous capital for nearly a month, I resolved to take a break and embrace the tranquillity of the countryside. Victória invited me to spend the religious holiday in Piracicaba, which was a solution as I needed a time-out from the nightlife.
Piracicaba derives its name from the Tupi-Guarani language and is located approximately 150 km away from São Paulo. Renowned for its historical and cultural heritage, huge parks, and forestry gardens, the 13th most populous municipality in the state spreads tradition and a heightened quality of life for those seeking refuge from the metropolitan madness.
Upon arriving at the bus station, I discerned a transformation in time and space. The noise of vehicles, the hustle and bustle of shops, and the chattering of passersby were supplanted by the sound of birds and crickets and an unusual serenity. Towering skyscrapers gave way to expansive one-floor residences, while bustling avenues were replaced by a river bearing the city’s namesake. I noted that even Victoria was different. The sticky weather shifted her wardrobe from blazers to tank tops and high heels to flats.
After she familiarised me with the house and the country’s most iconic dogs, Vic asked about my picks for our days ahead. I proposed watching a few films and perhaps indulging in a pizza night. However, after witnessing her taking a bottle of white wine, I understood that the holiday plan did not involve mere tranquillity and ease.
Several glasses, extensive conversations, and a harmless question eventually led me to order an Uber at eleven o’clock at night. Amidst a heat index of 30ºC and beneath a starry sky, I was wrapped in the best clothing befitting the moment: a miniskirt and a tank top. Adorned with a country boot and oversized earrings, Vic and I ventured to the premier (and only) cocktail bar in the city: TOT.
Enclosed by an impeccable playlist and creative cocktail name, we discussed our bet made when I returned to venture on at least one date per month. This idea came from Victória, who wanted to encourage herself, Laura and me to leave our comfort zones. However, we teetered on the brink of the last week of the month, with neither of us having a potential catch.
We were troubled by the uncertainty of whether we were becoming less attractive or blocked by our way of living. The conventional way of meeting someone naturally had decreased. Either you turn to dating apps or attend events organised by married or taken friends – which, just to think about it, makes us shrink instantly.
Unsure if it was the Espresso Martini or the bottle of wine shared with Victória, we started seeking a party once the bar had begun to shutter its doors. Individuals with the moon in Sagittarius possess an alluring quality: the tendency to embrace life spontaneity, especially when it complements the fact of nightlife. Fortuitously—or not—Victória and I stand aligned on this astrological placement.
As the clock struck 1 a.m., we stepped into Dolores Bar. The place is a residence that is surprisingly abuzz for a holiday eve. Its space contains diverse locations, including two dance floors, several bars, and a backyard where you can easily stay up all night talking with your friends.
Craving for dancing, we decided to stay in the room where a DJ played R&B tracks. Amidst the moves and jostles, I sensed a pair of eyes fixed upon me from behind the bar. Without any sobriety, I smiled and reciprocated the look. To find an excuse to get closer to him, I asked Vic what she wanted to drink, and she replied with a happy gesture. At that moment, I considered if our Martinis were shifted with special treats.
As I approached the bar, a girl adorned with lip piercings and vibrant orange hair approached me, but rapidly, she got intercepted by the person I had been flirting with. He asked me what I wanted, and I pointed to my glasses. He laughed while shaking his head and inquired if I wanted anything else. Without hesitation or sense, I responded that what I desired was busy, so I left.
While Vic and I danced and pretended to have been born in 1999, she subtly gestured towards a man with dreadlocks, prompting me to recall his presence beside me. Surprised, I asked why he was there. Smiling with a seashell necklace, he said that he had just quit his job, and the reason for it was because of me.
For a second, all inebriation evaporated from my body while I struggled to understand his revelation. How could someone quit a job for a person they’ve just met? Even worse, how could someone presume that being unemployed is attractive? As many questions stirred, I embraced the odds and lived in the moment. Who knows if the unexpected event would be the salvation to win the bet.
The following day, haunted by the consequences of my choices and the realisation that 1999 was not my birth year, I suffered a terrible headache. While consuming tons of litres of water and coffee, Vic questioned me about last night’s mysterious bartender. I told her that I didn’t know much about him. I couldn’t remember his name, age or any basic information. However, I was pretty sure I got invited to a trip to Limeira, a nearby city, for the weekend with him.
Within less than 24 hours, Vic persuaded me to embark on another party. Once our capabilities sufficiently recuperated, we launched under the dark sky. What I did not expect was that the sole destination in Piracicaba was Dolores Bar, leading me to face the dreadlocks man again.
Approaching me, he repeated with conviction that meeting me was the reason for his resignation. With no words, my reaction was enough to answer his lack of sense and job.
Vic unveiled an aspect of herself I haven’t never seen. Once the DJ played Linkin Park and she sang the whole sign, I realised that certain features only appeal while sharing experiences. Yet, it was not solely her musical predilections that captivated me. Observing the myriad gazes from male onlookers while we danced, I smiled at Vic as we soon admitted that our charm had not faded away. Contrary to our beliefs, we weren’t blocked as numerous guys approached us, expressing interest.
Despite failing to fulfil the opportunity, I pondered how men approach nowadays. Diverging from São Paulo, where it seems to have barriers that stop a man from reaching women or there is a thin line that complicates interpersonal connections. The man in Piracicaba showed more openness to jumping to the opportunity. Obviously, not everybody expects someone to quit their job or make considerable gestures to show their interest, but maybe a simple flirt or a way of giving a sign for it.
On the road back to São Paulo, I contemplated the madness I had experienced within such a brief timeframe. What I had imagined as a break from the urban crowd turned into a series of unexpected events.
Midway on the journey, as my phone vibrated, inscribing the name Laura on the screen, I found out she had a last-minute date, making us lose the bet. I may not have won this time, but I was ready and open to trying many other times.
A.M.
Sexo&Cidade 
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