Against the wind ...

I have just finished reading  the Planeta 2009 awarded book "Contra el viento" by Ángeles Caso, who in unveiling the life of the character of her book, São takes us right into the hardships and misfortunes of this ordinary Cape Verdian woman and all that she had to go through, from the earlier stages of her childhood, within a family she knew was not her own to her adulthood mishaps, which ultimately led her to going abroad in search of a better life ...

The obstacles this woman  has had to overcome were innumerous but the inner strength and determination with which she forced herself to keep on going forward are undoubtedly an example of "heroism" ...

What makes the difference is that this heroic character has not been invented ... , neither have all her misfortunes ... São lives in Spain and has been helping the writer in the upbringing of her child.

What mostly impressed me in this book was what has actually always impressed me in Cape Verde ... the capacity these women have to continue moving forward when the chances of  having any sort of success in their personal lives are almost non existent ... their strong belief in being able to turn some of their dreams and expectations in "attainable" goals against all odds ... being able to overlook the fact that irrespective of the wind blowing against their will, their strength lies on  their inner drive to face it ...

Selling tobacco, Assomada market, Santiago island, 2009 (Left). With three of her children, Veneza, Santiago island, 2009 (Right)

There are many Sãos in and out of Cape Verde ...
... I have met a few, whose stories have not been unveiled ...  and may never be...

Going against the wind seems to be Cape Verdian women's birth trait ...

May they continue to be strong in their ongoing "struggle" against the wind ...