Making Waves: How a Flatbed Truck and a Touch of Pirate Magic Brought Us Together
Faced with the challenge of building a parade float for the local Flower Festival with no prior experience, the author and a dedicated crew transformed a flatbed truck into an underwater reef and pirate ship. Using lawn chairs, cardboard, wire, blue cloth, and fresh flowers provided by the Freguesia, the team worked late into the nights to prepare the float, even receiving a supportive visit from the Mayor of Ribeirinha. On parade day, a lively crew of 6 Portuguese locals and two expats brought the float to life with incredible energy, music, and playful crowd interaction. Beyond the success of the event, the collaborative experience marked a meaningful milestone for the author, bringing a deep sense of belonging and true integration into the Azorean community after two years on the island.
From a Spark to a Crew: The Launch of the Piratas e Sereias de São Miguel
After returning to the Azores from the US, Tiger founded Piratas e Sereias de São Miguel, a local pirate and mermaid group. Starting with just six people at the first meeting, the group quickly grew to nine members by the second meeting and caught the attention of local event organizers. Despite some funny logistics—like figuring out how mermaids in tails could participate in a parade—the group successfully booked three major local events: the Medieval Fair (July), the Flower Festival, and the Ribeirinha annual celebration and parade (August).
