Evening star., 1937-06-06
.EARHART PLANE
GR0OMED FOR SEA
AVlatrlx Pauses at Brazilian
Port to Prepare for
Ocean Hop.
BY AMELIA EARHART.
Special Dispatch 10 The Star

SpcSiel blhphltH 10 L 10 StAr.
FORTALEZA, Brazil, June 5-In-
stead OF pushing on TO Natal on our
night around the world, as ". had
planned, we decided to make the ANAL
preparations for the South Atlantic
hop here. Pan-American Airways
offers excellent mechanical service
and Capt. Macedo, in charge OF the
airport, has put all facilities at our
disposal.
While everything is working well,
the plane requires thorough inspec-
ton before undertaking such a long
hop. and an oil change, greasin2, in
spection Of landing year, gas and oil
lines, etc. 1 shopped this morning for
sponge rubber TO replace some wear
ing on the cockpit hatch. The best
part OF the purchase was that I was
not allowed to pay for it.
Capt. Fred Noonan, my navigator,
and I cleaned house while the men
worked on the plane. We repacked
all spares, sent back home the maps
used so far, washed the engine and
propeller covers and sorted what We
had accumulated in the last few DAYS,
including everything from gift pine
apple to calling cards.
Navigator Buys Overalls.
Another purchase was overalls for
Capt. Noonan. He was measured for
them at II O'Clock in shop where
10 or more women sat at sewing ma
chimes, ready to pounce on the cloth
as soon as it was cut. BY afternoon
he was properly garbed to do any
kind Of manual labor. l had brought
my own suit along.
F'ortaleza is one OF two cities in
Brazil which is laid out with straight
streets.
The water front is interesting. I
saw the fishermen returning with
the days catch in atsmarans. Most
of them are very small, consisting OF
logs bound together, with a large
three-cornered sail The men yen-
ture as far out as 20 miles and are
famous for their skill in handling.
Israe. round, handmade baskets,
laShed TO the masts were the usual
containers for the fish Sale OF the
were beached and rolled back under
the palm trees which line the shore.
Women Garry Loads on Heads.
the skill Of the fishermen in their
field is not more than that Of the
women whom I saw balancing loads
deftlv on their heads while they
paced along with large or small
bundles or baskets with fruit or
loaves Of bread. The only incon-
venience seems TO be their inability
to turn their heads quickly if any,
thing worth looking al passes. III.
custom appears to aid the carriage
and seems altogether sensible
went tourist" and took pictures
of burros loaded with produce and
human beings. They wear an ineeri-
GUS combination Of pannier and
saddle, and carry staggering loads.
This is not meant to imply tina.
Fortaleza Is not modern. Buses,
street cars and automobiles abound
next to old-style buildings rooted
with Ueathered tile. New types Of
architecture are beginning to appear
in many churches and schools.
Boys in school, l noticed, were
dressed in uniforms resembling the
military, and girls were n blue and
red skirts with white blouSes. While
there were other uniforms these
seemed to predominate.
I shall dislike leaving tomorrow.
However. the plane is ready and We
plan to start for Natal early, for, II
the weather is promising, We might
try to take of the same day Tor
Dakar, French West Africa
tCopyrlght, 1877