Triunfo

Last night was quite the drive to Triunfo. It became quite obvious we were heading to higher ground.
Triunfo is located around 3,300 ft. high. I am enjoying the temperature. It feels like fall in Western Pennsylvania. Others in the group are not nearly as enthused.

The area of Triunfo produces a good deal of coffee and they have open areas used for cattle ranching. The plantations are small due to the elevation. The backlands of Brazil are conducive to coffee growing. There is more of a middle class in this town than we have seen. Triunfo started with the arrival of Catholic priests. The people settling in the area integrated better with the natives. Therefore it was a peaceful settlement back in the 1800's. Mystics also descended upon this small town. German Nuns helped establish schools and this has led to an educated population. The people here are more conservative politcally and have been isolated traditionally. The famous outlaw Lampiao hid out here while eluding authorities.

Today the coffee plantations are not doing as well. However tourism has been doing well. The people visiting are not just the rich but also the working class. The cimate is much cooler and the scenery beautiful. There are hotels all over the country that cater to the working class. 50 reals a night is a good deal. What has also helped bring people into the area is the development of good roads.

While walking around town we came upon a beautiful church in the center of town. We then walked into the local museum. There was a good exhibit on Lampiao. He was born in the state of Pernambuco. His father was killed by the police when he was 22. For the next 19 years Lampiao sought retribution. Lampiao was later betrayed by one of his posse members and cornered in a cave in the state of Sergipe. There Lampiao, his girlfriend and nine other followers were killed. He was a very brutal individual who did many bad things.
However now he is sort of revered in popular culture. Reminds me of Jesse James in America. In fact the governor may give him a pardon.

Later in the day we visited a school. This school was very interesting for it combined a school, seminary and a bed & breakfast. There are seven seminarians studying and worshipping there. The school started off as an orphanage and offered charity. There is also free day care for the community.