DAY 37 TO 38

TODAY WE WERE PICKED UP BY A VAN TO GO WITH CRISTA’S CLUB TO THE SCHOOL IN THE FAVELA.  THE FIRST PROJECT WE DID WITH THEM CAME TO AN END TODAY, AND THE SECOND ONE BEGAN.  THIS PROJECT WAS BEING OK’D JUST AS I WAS LEAVING.  IT GIVES THE SCHOOL ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY FOOD FOR A YEAR.  THE SCHOOL IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A FAVELA, AND INBETWEEN 2 OTHERS.  FAVELAS ARE RULED BY DRUG LORDS AND OFTEN THE POLICE WILL NOT EVEN GO IN.  WE HAD BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO COME  IN TO VISIT TODAY.  AS FAR AS THE FAVELAS GO, IT WAS ACTUALLY CLEANER THAN MOST WE HAVE VIEWED FROM AFAR.   IT WAS RATHER STARTLING THOUGH TO HAVE CRISTA POINT OUT THE BULLET HOLES NEXT TO THE SCHOOL AND A WINDOW THAT HAD TO BE BLOCKED UP TO GIVE PROTECTION.  PAUL, NATALIE’S HUSBAND, WENT WITH US, AS HE IS A TEACHER.  HE WORE A RED SHIRT, AND WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE THAT IF HE WONDERED OFF IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION, HE WOULD PROBABLY BE KILLED , AS IT WAS THE COLOR OF A RIVAL GANG. 

THE CHILDREN ARE WELL LOVED, CLEAN, AND ARE LEARNING QUITE WELL.  WE SPENT THE AFTERNOON AT THE SCHOOL, AND I GOT SOME PICTURES OF THE KIDS, THE DESKS AND SOME OF THE SUPPLIES OUR FIRST PROJECT GOT THEM, AND THE KIDS EATING LUNCH.  THEY GET 3 MEALS A DAY.  IT WAS AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE ACTUALLY SEEING OUR MONEY WORKING.  

WE DROPPED OFF THE REST OF THE TEAM SO THEY COULD SPEND THE LAST DAY AT THE BEACH AND I WENT TO LUNCH WITH CRISTA AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE FROM HER ROTARY CLUB.   IT WAS A DELIGHTFUL  AFTERNOON AND ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY.   GOT DROPPED OFF AT THE HOUSE AROUND 4:30 AND HAVE BEEN READING AND PROCESSING THIS TRIP SINCE.  HOPE TO DO ONE MORE DAY OF THIS JOURNAL TOMORROW, BEFORE WE HEAD OFF TO THE AIRPORT AND HOME TO OUR LOVED ONES.   AS FOR THIS TRIP, MY GOD WHAT AN EXPERIENCE.  I CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE I HAVE MET, AND WHAT MEMORIES I HAVE.  THE TEAM WAS WONDERFUL AND REPRESENTED US WELL.  I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM.  I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, ROTARY FOR IT’S FINANCIAL SUPPORT  AND THIS CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THIS, AND TO MY HUSBAND WHO SUPPORTED ME FROM DAY ONE. 

FORGOT TO MENTION THAT ON THE YELLOW TROLLY YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY IF YOU WANT TO HANG ON TO THE SIDE, VERSUS SITTING INSIDE.  THAT~S WHAT YOU SEE IN THE PICTURE.  SANDI

DAY 35 TO 36

THINK I HAVE MESSED UP MY DAYS, BUT IT’S OK IF THE NUMBERS ARE WRONG. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY TODAY.  VERY SUNNY, HIGH AROUND 78 – 80.  THE TEAM WENT BACK TO THE BEACH SO THEY COULD ACTUALLY ENJOY SOME SUN.  I TOOK THE KOMBI DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND WALKED WOUTH FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES.  THIS TOOK ME TO THE COG TRAIN THAT GOES TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN TO THE STATUE OF JESUS.  IT TOOK ABOUT 25 MIN TO GET TO THE TOP, AND WHAT A SPECTACULAR VIEW.  I STAYED FOR ABOUT 2 HRS AND 30 MINUTES AND HAD LUNCH.  WHEN WE GOT BACK DOWN I CAUGHT THE BUS TO THE BOTANICAL GARDEN AND SPENT THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON THERE.  GOT TO WATCH SOME CUTE MONKEYS PLAYING AROUND, AND OF COURSE, BEAUTIFUL TREES.  MANAGED TO FIND A BUS GOING TO THE METRO STOP.  I’VE LEARNED IT DOES NOT MATTER WHICH METRO STOP I GET TO, BECAUSE ONCE I’M ON THE METRO, I CAN FIND MY WAY HOME !!!!!!!!!!

THE METRO HERE IS VERY MODERN AND CLEAN, SO IT IS A JOY TO RIDE.  IT COST 2.60 FOR 1 TRIP ($1.50 US) FOR A ONE WAY TICKET.  SOME OF THE PLACES GIVE YOU THE TICKET AND IT IS GOOD FOR GETTING ON ONE OF THE CITY BUSES AFTER, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE GOING.  I THINK THE MOST I HAVE SPENT IN ONE DAY HAS BEEN $7.00 (US).  SO FAR I HAVE USED A BUS, CABLE CAR, TAXI, CAR, KOMBI, VAN, COG CAR, AIR PLANE, BOAT, AND MY FEET TO GET AROUND BRAZIL.  TOMORROW I’LL ADD A TROLLY CAR TO THAT LIST. 

GOT BACK HOME AROUND 5 OR SO AND FIXED UP A CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP.  I REALLY LIKE THIS KIND OF LEFT OVER, SO I MADE SURE I COLLED ENOUGH TO GET ME TO THURSDAY.   READ SOME AND WENT TO BED EARLY.  WAS READING WHEN SHERRY KNOCKED ON MY DOOR AND I HAD A GREAT SURPRISE- RON CALLED (MY HUSBAND , WHO IS ALSO A ROTARIAN) .  IT WAS THE FIRST TIME WE’VE HEARD EACH OTHER’S VOICE SINCE I LEFT.  WE ONLY TALKED A FEW MINUTES, BUT IT WAS GREAT. 

DAY  35

IT IS ANOTHER POSTCARD PICTURE PERFECT DAY TODAY.   CRISTA’S DRIVER (A LOCAL ROTARIAN IN THE CLUB MY ROTARY CLUB HAD DONE 2 PROJECTS WITH HERE IN RIO) PICKED ME UP AT 11 AND THEN WE PICKED UP NELLIE SCHMIDT, A 97 YEAR OLD BRAZILIAN LADY WHO’S HUSBAND WAS A ROTARIAN, BEFORE HIS DEATH.  THEN WE PICKED UP CRISTA.  IT WAS GREAT MEEING HER FINALLY.   HER AND JUNE (BOTH FROM MY CLUB-LINDEN CLUB) HAD VISITED HERE IN THE PAST AND ALSO VISITED THE SCHOOL IN THE FAVELA WE HELP SUPPORT.  THEY WERE CERTAINLY RIGHT ABOUT CRISTA,. SHE IS VERY NICE.   SHE IS ONE OF A FEW WOMEN IN HER CLUB, AND IS A PAST PRESIDENT.  I HAPPENED TO HIT THE ROTARY MEETING WHERE THEY WERE CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY.  THERE WERE AT LEAST  5 OLDER WOMEN AT THE PRESIDENT’S TABLE OLDER THAN 85.  WE (ALL MOTHERS) ALL GOT A FLOWER BOUQUET, WHICH WAS REALLY NICE.  I WAS ASKED TO SAY A FEW WORDS , SO STUMBLED THRU SOME BAD PORTUGUESE.  ONE OF THE ROTARIANS WAS CELEBRATING HIS 50^TH ANNIVERSARY WITH ROTARY, SO WE SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIM.  SAME TUNE, JUST DIFFERENT WORDS.  I STAYED DOWNTOWN AND WALKED AROUND THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT.  THEN I CAUGHT THE YELLOW TROLLEY HOME AND   WHAT A BUMPY RIDE.  THE TROLLEY IS RATHER FAMOUS, AND IS REALLY CHEAP, JUST .60 C BRAZILIAN MONEY.  I NEED TO HEAD BACK DOWNTOWN TOMORROW TO SEE THE CATHDERAL. 

CRISTA HAS ARRANGED FOR THE TEAM TO BE PICKED UP BY A VAN AND WE ARE GOING TO THE FAVELA WHERE “OUR SCHOOL” IS.  WE HAD JUST GOTTEN A SECOND PROJECT WITH THE RIO CLUB AND WE ARE COINCIDENTLALLY GOING TO IT’S  CELEBRATION-SO THE CLUB WAS VERY HAPPY TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE LINDEN CLUB HERE FOR THIS.  BACK HOME AT 4 AND CATCHING UP ON MY JOURNAL ANDPICTURES.  IT’S ABOUT TIME TO HAVE SOME CHICKEN SOUP !!!!!

DAY 33 TO 34

DAY 33

TODAY WE WENT TO THE HIPPIE FAIR AND TO COPACABANA AND IPANEMA BEACHES.  THE WEATHER HAS SURPRISED US AND IS A DELIGHTFUL 78 DEGREES.  WELL, DELIGHTFUL TO ME, NOT TO THOSE WHO WANT TO BE ON THE BEACH.  EVEN IN THE “WINTER” RIO GETS HOT.  SO I’M JUST GOING TO ENJOY THE NICE WEATHER AS LONG AS IT LASTS.

OUR GUEST HOUSE HAS A VERY NICE BREAKFAST SO WE ONCE AGAIN ENJOYED THIS.  WE HEADED OUT AROUND 9:30 AND RODE OUR FIRST METRO HER IN RIO.   IT IS VERY NICE AND MODERN, WITH ONLY 3 LINES THAN BASICALLY RUN IN THE SAME DIRECTIONS, JUST DIFFERENT LEVELS.  SO THIS NECESSITATES ALSO CATCHING A BUS.  BUT WE DID IT WITHOUT GETTING LOST AND ARRIVED AT THE HIPPIE FAIR.   THIS FAIR HAS BEEN POPULAR SINCE IT STARTED IN 1968.  I ACTUALLY LIKE THE FAIR YESTERDAY, AS IT  SEEMED TO BE MORE ARTS AND CRAFTS.  BUT DID FIND A FEW MORE THINGS.  THEN WALKED DOWN TO IPANEMA BEACH, WHICH WAS WONDERFUL.  DISCOVERED THAT IPANEMA WAS CALLED Y-PANEMA BACK IN THE 1800’S , WHICH MEANS “ROUGH WATERS”.  OF COURSE WE HAVE ALL HEARD THE SONG, “THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA” FROM THE EARLY ‘60’S, AND FOR THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE, THE BRAZILIAN TEAM SANG A SMALL PART OF THIS SONG.  IT IS ONLY ABOUT A MILE LONG, BUT MORE CHIC AND STYLISH (IN MY VIEW) THAN IT’S NEIGHBOR COPACABANA.  I ENJOYED WALKING THEM BOTH AND WATCHING MULTIPLE GAMES OF VOLLEY BALL.  DID STICK MY TOE IN THE WATER AND BOY WAS IT COLD.  THE SURFERS WERE WEARING THIN WET SUITS.  THERE IS A ROCK FORMATION BETWEEN IPANEMA BEACH AND COPACABANA THAT YOU CAN CLIMB AND GET SOME GOOD VIEWS.  BUT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO WALKED FROM ONE BEACH TO THE OTHER.  YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE BEACH AND WALK FOR AWHILE ALONG THE ROAD, AND THEN BACK DOWN TO THE BEACH.  

TODAY IS THE FINAL PLAYOFF OF THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.  I WAS INCORRECTLY TOLD PREVIOUSLY THAT IT WAS THE NATIONAL.  SO THERE ARE 2 TEAMS FROM THIS STATE OF RIO PLAYING EACH OTHER SO IT IS FOR THE STATE TITLE.  THEN THE STATES WILL HAVE A PLAYOFF FOR THE NATIONAL TITLE.   MOST OF MY FAMILIES  WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE FLAMINGO TEAM.  ALL DAY LONG YOU COULD SEE EVERYONE DRESSED IN THEIR FAVORITE COLORS.  GOT THE CHANCE TO STOP AT A SUPPER MARKET AND GOT SOME VEGETABLES AND POTATOES FOR DINNER.

AMBER, TRACY, MICHELLE, NATALIE AND PAUL DECIDED TO HEAD OVER TO THE STADIUM TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIND AFFORDABLE TICKETS FROM A “SCALPER”.  SHERRY AND I HEADED BACK HOME.  THE LADY WHO RUNS THE GUEST HOUSE (TERESA) HAD INVITED US TO GO OUT TO THE SUBURBS TO WATCH SOME “REAL” SAMBA DANCING TONIGHT.  I DECIDED TO DO THIS AND SHERRY DECIDED TO STAY HOME AND REST.   SO AT 7 OCLOCK WE TOOK A CAB OUT TO THE BURBS AND LISTENED TO SOME GREAT SAMBA MUSIC.  THIS STARTED MANY YEARS AGO, WITH A FAMOUS .  ON THE WAY OUT, WE PASSED THE STADIUM.  IT WAS FUN LISTENING TO THE CHEERS FROM THE STATDIUM FROM THE GUEST HOUSE BEFORE WE LEFT FOR THE DANCING.  AND IT WAS FUN WATCHING THE CROWD COME OUT.   LOTS OF TRAFFIC, BUT WE MANAGED TO GET AROUND IT. 

I DON’T THINK I’VE TALKED ABOUT WHERE WE ARE STAYING.  THE AREA IS CALLED SANTA TERESA, AND IT IS UP ON THE MOUNTAIN, AS IS MUCH OF RIO.  IT IS THE ARTSY AREA AND I LOVE BEING UP HERE, WHAT A VIEW.  WE ARE MORE THAN HALF WAY UP TO THE CHRIST STATUE AND MOST OF US CAN SEE IT FROM OUR WINDOWS.

WHEN WE ARRIVED, I GOT TO MEET THE SAMBA DANCER, WHO OPENED HER FRONT YARD TO PEOPLE WHO LIKED TO SAMBA.  IT IS NOW A WELL KNOWN THINGFOR SERIOUS DANCERS, , THOUGH NOT KNOWN TO TOURISTS.  I WAS THE ONLY NON BRASILIAN THERE.   WE STAYED ABOUT 3 HOURS AND BY THE TIME WE LEFT, THERE WERE AT LEAST 250-300 PEOPLE DANCING AND SWAYING.  I MET SOME NICE GUYS AND THEIR WIVES,  AND THEY TRIED TO HELP ME LEARN TO SAMBA.  I FINALLY GOT IT, BUT IT IS A LOT OF WORK, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DANCE FAST.  WE ARE HOME NOW AND I’M SURE I’M GOING TO SLEEP WELL. 

DAY 34

I DID SLEEP WELL LAST NIGHT  I ACTUALLY HAD TO PULL UP THE BLANKET.  IT IS CLOUDY AGAIN TODAY.  WE MANAGED TO GET OUT AROUND 9:30 AFTER ANOTHER GOOD BREAKFAST, AND HEADED FOR SUGAR LOAF.  INSTEAD OF CATCHING THE BUS DOWN TO THE METRO, WE CAUGHT ONE OF THE LITTLE MINI VANS (KOMBI).  WHILE WE WERE WAITING FOR THE BUS, THE KOMBI CAME BY, SO WE DECIDED, WHY NOT.  IT REMINDS ME OF THE “DOLMA” IN ISTANBUL-  IT IS A SMALL VAN THAT TRIES TO PACK AS MANY PEOPLE IN AS POSSIBLE.  IT’S A FEW CENTS CHEAPER THAN THE BUS, BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT, OF COURSE-IT WAS JUST PART OF THE CULTURE WE HAD TO TRY.  QUITE HONESTLY, THE DRIVER DROVE BETTER THAN THE BUS DRIVERS.   WE CAUGHT THE METRO TO A DIFFERENT STOP AND ANOTHER BUS AND ARRIVED WITHOUT ANY TRAUMA TO SUGAR LOAF.  I WISH IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE CLEAR, AS WE COULD NOT COULD NOT SEE THE CHRIST STATUE ACROSS THE WATER DUE TO THE FOG. BUT IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.   IT WAS FUN REMEMBERING THE JAMES BOND MOVIE “MOONRAKER” WHILE WE WERE TAKING THE CABLE CAR UP.  THANK GOD I DID NOT SEE JAWS WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING UP EITHER OF THE MOUNTAINS.  ROGER MOORE WOULD HAVE BEEN OK, BUT I STILL REMEMBER THE SCENE  WHERE JAWS BITES THRU THE CABLE.  ACTUALLY, I DID NOT  REALIZE THAT THERE WERE 2 MOUTAINS.  SUGAR LOAF IS THE SECOND.  THE CABLE CAR OPENED IN 1912 AND THEY HAD SOME OF THE OLD MACHINERY AND CARS AVAILABLE TO SEE.   THE AREA IS ALSO A WITH HIKING TRAILS.  WE DID SEE 2 CLIMBERS TAKING THE HARD WAY UP .  THERE IS NO OPPORTUNITY TO HIKE THE MOUNTAIN-WHERE AS YOU CAN HIKE UP TO THE CHRIST STATUE.  AT SUGAR LOAF IT IS EITHER CLIMBING OR THE CABLE CAR.

I DECIDED TO STAY UP FOR AWHILE TO SEE IF IT WOULD CLEAR, BUT NO SUCH LUCK.  EVERYONE ELSE WENT TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS.  I EVENTUALLY GAVE UP AND WENT INTO THE CENTRAL TOWN.  VISITED THE NATIONAL THEATER-UNFORTUNATELY THEY ONLY HAD TOURS IN PORTUGUESE.  THEN WENT OVER TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARY AND WALKED AROUND.  GOT HOME AROUND 3 AND READ SOME.  

GOT A CALL FROM CRISTA, OUR ROTARY CONTACT THAT HERB AND JUNE SET ME UP WITH TO TOUR THE FAVELA AND OUR SCHOOL WE SUPPORT.  I AM GOING TO ATTEND A ROTARY MEETING AT LUNCH WEDNESDAY.  FOR SOME ODD REASON, NO ONE ELSE IS INTERESTED IN GOING!!!!!!!!!!!  HOWEVER,  AMBER, MICHELLE, TRACY, SHERRY, MYSELF AND PAUL  ARE ALL GOING TO THE SCHOOL  IN THE FAVELA THURSDAY MORNING.  I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO BOTH THE MEETING AND THE TRIP. 

THE REST OF THE GANG CAME IN A LITTLE WHILE AGO (5 PM) LOADED WITH GROCERY BAGS.  WE’VE ALL DECIDED TO STAY HOME TONIGHT AND DO NOTHING.  DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER TOMORROW, I’M HEADING TO THE GARDENS OR UP THE MOUNTAIN TO SEE THE CHRIST STATUE.  WEATHER FORCAST DOES SHOW SUNNY WEAHTER STARTING WEDNESDAY.   WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.  THINK I’M GOING TO HAVE AN EGG SANDWICH FOR DINNER TONIGHT AND GO TO BED EARLY.  ONLY 5 MORE DAYS BEFORE WE GET TO SEE OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DAY 31 TO 32

WELL WE GOT A LATE START TO THE AIRPORT AND ARRIVED TO DISCOVER THAT OUR FLIGHT NEVER EXISTED.  IT WAS ALL FOR THE BEST AS WE WOULD NEVER HAVE MADE IT ANYWAY.  WITH A LOT OF WORK, WE WERE RESCHEDULED TO A PLANE INTO RIO AT 2:30.  JOSE HAD MADE A COMPLAINT TO A SUPERVISOR AS WE REALLY HAD A HARD TIME WITH ONE OF THE CHECK IN LADIES. ONCE SHE REALIZED THAT OUR FLIGHT DID NOT EXIST, SHE WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH US.  SHE LITERALLY TOLD US TO GET OUT OF THE LINE.  WE WENT TO ANOTHER COUNTER AND GOT EVERYTHING SWITCHED, THEN JOSE MADE A COMPLAINT.  THEY APOLOGIZED AND GAVE US ALL A FREE BUFFET MEAL, ABOUT $25 USA PER PERSON.  THIS IS THE FIRST RUDE PERSON I HAVE RUN INTO IN BRAZIL.  SO WE GOT TO ENJOY A NICE LUNCH.  IT WAS VERY HARD SAYING GOODBYE TO JOSE AND MARCOS (COTRIN), AS THEY HAVE BEEN OUR BACK BONE HERE IN BRAZIL.  MARCOS IS THE POOR GUY STUCK IN A VAN FOR 2 DAYS WITH 6 WOMEN.  BUT IN SOME WAYS IT WAS A LITTLE EASIER WITH THEM , AS I TRULY BELIEVE I WILL SEE THEM AGAIN.  THEY HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR US.  WE LOVE THEM BOTH.  JANINE (FROM THE BRAZIL TEAM) AND DULCE  (FROM THE BRAZIL TEAM) AND HER MOTHER ALSO SAID GOODBYE TO US.  DULCE HAD GIVEN US EACH A BRACELET AND JANINE A BRAZILIAN ROTARY PIN. 

WE ARRIVED IN RIO TO RAIN.  ABOUT HALF WAY THRU THE PROCESS OF GETTING OUR LUGGAGE OFF THE BELT, IT BROKE.  TOOK ABOUT 20 MIN TO HAVE THEM CHANGE BELTS.  DURING THE CHANGE MICHELLE KEPT SEEING PEOPLE GOING UP TO A GUY FROM OUR FLIGHT AND GETTING THEIR PICTURES TAKEN.  SHE WENT UP AND ASKED WHO HE WAS AND HE WAS FROM THE GROUP “BLACK EYE PEAS” ONE OF THEIR SONG WRITERS.  NATALIE GOT THEIR PICTURE. 

WE ARRIVED AT THE GUEST HOUSE AROUND 6 OR SO AND JUST LOVE IT.  IT IS UP ON THE MOUNTAIN JUST BELOW THE STATUE OF JESUS THAT EVERYONE ASSOCIATES WITH RIO.  THE HOUSE IS A BEAUTIFUL OLD COLONIAL HOUSE AND THE ROOMS ARE COLORFUL.  TERESA AND ROSIE MET US AND HAD A WELCOME SIGN FOR US.  THEN SHERRY AND I BUMMED A RIDE WITH ROSIE WHO WAS GOING TO THE FOOD STORE.  MY GOD, I THOUGHT OUR GROCERY STORES WERE CROWDED ON FRIDAYS.  

WE ARE ALL SO LOOKING FORWARD TO EATING MUCH LESS.  IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO TELL FAMILIES NO WHEN THEY ARE OFFERING FOODS AND REALLY PUSHING YOU TO TRY SOMETHING.  SO I PICKED UP A LOT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND THEN WE UNLOADED AND RELAXED.  GOING TO BE EARLY TO DAY.  DO NOT PLAN ON DOING ANYTHING UNTIL AFTERNOON. 

DAY 32

WELL, CERTAINLY DID NOT MEET MY EXPECTATIONS ABOUT GETTING GREAT SLEEP.  WE ARE CLOSE TO A DISTRICT CALLED LAPA AND THEY HAD ONE HECK OF A PARTY LAST NIGHT.  TERESA APOLOGIZED AND STATED THAT SOMETIMES THERE IS A COMMUNITY PARTY.  JUST HAPPENED TO BE ON MY SIDE OF THE BUILDING.  IT ENDED AROUND 5 AM OR SO WITH FIRE WORKS.  LOVELY.  SO SLEPT UNTIL 9.  BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED IN OUR GUEST HOUSE AND WE ATE WELL.  ACTUALLY HAD WATERMELON JUICE FOR THE FIRST TIME.  THEN WE ALL (EXCEPT NATALIE) WALKED DOWN INTO THE CITY (TOOK AN HOUR).  WE COULD HAVE JUMPTED ON THE TROLLY OR TAKEN A BUS AND BEEN THERE IN 15-20 MIN, BUT IT FELT WONDERFUL GETTING EXERCISE.  WE HIT THE ONCE A MONTH CRAFT FAIR AND HAD A GREAT TIME.  AT THE RATE I AM GOING, I’LL BE FINISHED WITH XMAS SHOPPING BY JULY!  NATALIE WAS NOT WITH US BECAUSE HER HUSBAND, PAUL, WAS FLYING IN FROM VIRGINIA TODAY.  HE WAS THE ONLY SPOUSE ABLE TO GET AWAY.  HE WAS DUE IN LATE AM, BUT HIS FLIGHT HAD BEEN CHANGED AND DELAYED IN HOUSTON , SO ARRIVED AROUND 2 OR SO. 

WE HEADED BACK HOME ON THE BUS, BUT MANAGED TO GET ON IT IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  AMBER SHOWED THE ADDRESS TO THE DRIVER AND FOR ABOUT 5 MIN HE SEEMED ANNOYED.  WE QUICKLY REALIZED WE WERE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, BUT HOPED HE WOULD EVENTUALLY TURN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.  AT ONE POINT HE STOPPED AND WE THOUGHT WE WERE TO GET OFF, BUT HE TOLD US TO SIT DOWN.  THEN HE HEADED BACK IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WE EVENTUALLY FIGURED WHERE TO GET OFF.  A GREAT ADVENTURE. 

OUR GUESTHOUSE DOES HAVE AN INTERNET ACCESS, AND IT IS FOR A RESONABLE CHARGE- 4 REALS /HOUR (ABOUT $2.50 US).  SO AM TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS TO CATCH UP MY JOURNAL AND UP LOAD SOME PICTURES

UPON RETURNING , WE LEARNED PAUL DID GET IN AND HE AND NATALIE WERE DOWNTOWN.  THEY ARRIVED BACK AROUND 6 OR SO.  I THINK THE “YOUNG PEOPLE” ARE HEADED OUT TO DANCE TONIGHT, BUT AS YOU ARE PROBABLY REALIZING FROM READING OUR JOURNALS, NOTHING REALLY STARTS UNTIL 10 PM OR SO.  ME, I’M GOING TO UPLOAD SOME PICTURES, EAT CHICKEN FOR DINNER AND TRY THAT GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP AGAIN. 

HAVE A GREAT VIEW OF THE CITY DOWN BELOW AND THE STATUE OF JESUS ABOVE. 

DAY 28 TO 30 

DAY 28

TODAY IS TUES, I SOMETIMES FORGET TO LOOK AT A CALENDAR TO KNOW THE DAY OF THE WEEK.  NICE BREAKFAST WITH OUR PARENTS.  WE DISCOVERED THAT THEY OWN MOST OF THE GAS STATIONS IN BRASILIA.  HE IS SEMI RETIRED AND HIS SON RUNS THE BUSINESS.  NOW HE HAS FUN WITH A FARM THEY OWN. 

TODAY MICHELLE AND I WENT TO THE BEST HOSPITAL I HAVE SEEN AS OF YET IN BRASILIA.  IT IS A PRIVATE HOSPTIAL CALLED SARA, THAT WORKS ONLY WITH NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS FROM SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND TUMORS.  UNFORTUNATLEY THE MOST COMMON CAUSE IS ACCIDENTS.  NOT JUST DRIVING, BUT ESPECIALLY DIVING.  THERE ARE SO MANY WATERFALLS AROUND HERE, AND PEOPLE LIKE TO SHOW OFF.   THEY SAID THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME ALCOHOL ALSO PLAYS A ROLE, AND IS USUALLY IN THE TEENS TO LATE 20’S AGE GROUP.  SO SAD.  THE HOSPITAL MAKES ALL OF IT’S OWN EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING WHEEL CHAIRS, BEDS, UNIFORMS, CASTS, ETC.  THEY NOW HAVE A FEW OTHER BRANCHES AND I HOPE THEIR PHILOSOPHY SPREADS.  THEY FUNCTION ON THE SAME IDEA AS US, TEAMWORK.  IT REALLY SHOWS.  VERY HAPPY EMPLOYEES.  THE NURSE WHO TOOK US AROUND WAS NAMED LINDA, AND SHE IS FROM CANADA.  HER HUSBAND IS A THORACIC SURGEON AND THEY MOVED HERE A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO AND DECIDED THEY COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  LINDA CAME WITH US TO OUR LAST PRESENTATION, AT JOSE’S (OUR GSE COORDINATOR HERE) ROTARY CLUB.  IT JUST HAPPENED TO BE THE CLUBS 28^TH BIRTHDAY, SO IT WAS FUN CELEBRATING.  WE DID A GREAT JOB ON OUR LAST PRESENTATION.  

REMEMBER THAT ISSUE OF HAVING TO CHECK IN WITH THE FEDERAL POLICE, AND WE KEPT GETTING TOLD, DON’T WORRY?  WELL WE LEAVE HERE IN 3 DAYS AND TODAY JOSE CALLED AND WAS TOLD WE ALL HAD TO SHOW UP AT THE FEDERAL POLICE AT THE AIRPORT, WE HAD TO HAVE MORE PICTURES TAKEN , AND WE WOULD NEED TO PAY ANOTHER 188 REALS (BRAZILIAN MONEY EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT$120 US.  TALKED WITH JOSE AND EXPLAINED WE AHD ALREADY PAID $200 US DOLLARS FOR THE VISA, AND HE SAID THIS IS FOR THE POLICE.  HE SPOKE WITH HIS GOVERNOR, AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO PAY THIS PER PERSON FEE.  WE HAD TO PAY ANOTHER 14 REALS ($9 US) FOR MORE PICTURES.  THEN WE HEADED TO THE POLICE.  WE ALL GOT FINGER PRINTED AND HAD TO SIGN PAPERS.  JOSE HAD MADE ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE, SO IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR.  IF HE HAD NOT, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE ALL AFTERNOON, THERE WAS QUITE A LINE.  CHECK OUT THE PICTURES  I’M GOING TO TRY TO UP LOAD THIS PM.  THIS TOOK QUITE A BIT OF THE AFTERNOON.     

DAY 29

TODAY IS OUR LAST VOCATIONAL DAY.   SHERY AND MICHELLE AND I VISITED A RETIREMENT HOME, AND JANINE WAS OUR INTERPRETOR. (FROM THE BRASIL GSE TEAM).  IT WAS NICE SEEING HER AND SO KIND OF HER TO GIVE US HER TIME.  THEY SAME FOR DULCE, ANOTHER GSE TEAM MEMBER , WHO HAD MET US OFF AND ON.

AFTER THE HOME, WE WERE ACTUALLY GIVEN AN HOUR TO GET CLEANED UP AND CHANGED, AS THE TRIP TO THE US EMBASSY  AND THE BRAZILIAN SENATE IS A LITTLE MORE FORMAL THAN OUR VOCATIONAL DAYS.  WE WORE OUR UNIFORM FOR THE LAST TIME AND MET FOR THE BEST BUFFET LUNCH I’VE HAD SINCE GETTING HERE.  THEN ON TO THE EMBASSY.  UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DID NOT LET US BRING CAMERAS IN, SO NO PICTURES.  I’M SURE YOU KNOW THAT EMBASSY’S CONSIDER THE SOIL THEY ARE SITTING ON AS US TERRITORY.  SO IT FELT GOOD TO “RETURN HOME”.  IT WAS AN “AHHHH” FEELING, WHICH RON KNOWS I OFTEN GET WHEN WE ARE OVERSEAS AND GO ONTO A MILITARY BASE-A LEFT OVER FROM MY MILITARY CHILDHOOD.  

CATHY, (THE WONDERFUL AMERICAN TEACHER WHO MET NATALIE AND I ON OUR ARRIVAL IN BRASILIA AND ALLOWED US TO CRASH HER APARTMENT UNTIL OUR FAMILY CAME BACK FROM A WEDDING) ALSO ATTENDED, AND IT WAS HER FIRST TIME TO THE EMBASSY.  SHE HAD ALSO MET US THE DAY WE WENT OUT ON THE BOAT.  NICE TO SEE HER AGAIN.    THE EMPLOYEE WHO MET US WAS MARRIED TO ONE OF THE EMBASSY WORKERS AND SHE WAS IN CHARGE OF KEEPING TRACK OF THE US CITIZENS COMING AND GOING.  MOST EMBASSY WORKERS ARE THERE FOR 2-4 YEARS.  THEY WELCOME THEM, HELP THEM GET ADJUSTED CULTURALLY, ARRANGE HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS (FOR EXAMPLE, HALLOWEEN IS NOT A BIG HOLIDAY HERE IN BRAZIL), AND HELP THEM SETTLE IN.  IT WAS GREAT GETTING TO SEE HOW THINGS OPERATED. 

FROM THERE, WE WENT TO THE BRASILIAN HOUSE AND SENATE.  THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ONLY BEEN FOLLOWING THE CURRENT CONSTITUTION SINCE 1988, WHICH RATHER SURPRISED ME.  THEY ALSO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL, AND LEGISLATIVE  POWERS THAT RUN THE COUNTRY.  ALSO SENATORS (3 FROM EACH STATE) AND REPRESENTATIVES, BASED ON POPULATION.  WE WERE GIVEN A WONDERFUL TOUR AND DURING OUR TOUR GOT TO SEE THE NEW HEAD OF THE SUPREME COURT INTERVIEWED FOR THE NEWS.  SOME OF THE TV GUYS WERE REALLY GREAT AND WHILE THEY WERE WAITING FOR HIM TO ARRIVE AND GET INTERVIEWED, THEY “INTERVIEWED” US.  IT WAS GREAT FUN.  WE WERE NOT ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES IN THE SENATE, AS IT WAS CURRENTLY IN SESSION.  HOWEVER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAS NOT, SO GOT SOME PICTURES THERE.  

THEN WE WENT HOME.  NATALIE AND I HAVE NOT SEEN OUR PARENTS SINCE WED AM, AND DISCOVERED TONIGT THAT THEY ARE AWAY FOR A WEEKS VACATION.  THIS IS OUR SECOND FAMILY THAT HAS DONE THIS, AND WE ARE BEGINNING TO WONDER IF IT IS SOMETHING WE SAID/DID. (JUST JOKING OF COURSE).  THEIR HOUSE CLEANER/COOK HAS BEEN THERE TO LET US IN EACH TIME AND JOSE AND MARCOS ARE PICKING US UP AND DROPPING US OFF.  THE HARDEST PART ABOUT GOING OUT AT NIGHT, IS THAT WE HAVE TO WAKE UP THE COOK, AS BIGGIE (THE DALMATION) IS STILL NOT SURE WHY WE ARE HERE. 

TONIGHT WE WENT OUT TO LEARN SOME BRAZILIAN DANCING-FOHO.  THE VAN PICKED US UP FROM OUR HOUSES (SAME DRIVER AND VAN THAT TOOK US TO ALTA PARAISO) AND IT TURNED OUT THAT ONLY TRACY AND I HAD THE ENERGY TO GO.  WE MET JOSE , MARCOS, AND DULCE AND HAD A GREAT TIME.  HAD TO LEAVE “EARLY” AND GOT BACK AT MIDNIGHT.  DULCE STAYED UNTIL 5 AM!!!!!!!!!!

DAY 30

GOT TO SLEEP UNTIL 9 AM THIS AM.  PACKED  THIS AM AS WE ARE GOING TO A FAREWELL DINNER TONIGHT.  THEN WE WERE ALL PICKED UP AND MET AT AMBER’S HOUSE (HER MOTHER IS ALSO GONE FOR A TRIP) AND DID OUR TRIP EVALUATION.  WAS ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THE LAST 3 DAYS JOURNAL AND AM NOT SURE WHEN I WILL GET THIS DOWNLOADED.  THEN EVERYONE WENT HOME FOR LUNCH WITH THEIR FAMILIES .  JOSE TOOK NATALIE AND I OUT TO LUNCH AND WE FINALLY GOT TO TRY ACAI, WITHOUT IT BEING MIXED WITH ANOTHER FRUIT.  JUDITH WHEAT HAD TOLD ME ABOUT THIS FRUIT BEFORE I CAME OVER.  IT ONLY GROWS IN THE AMAZON AND IS LOADED WITH VITAMINS AND ANTI OXIDANTS.  IT IS JUST BEING REALIZED BY THE REST OF THE WORLD.  WELL, WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A REASON IT IS USUALLY BLENDED-IT’S A RATHER BLAND TASTE.  BUT WE ATE SOME AND DRANK SOME JUICE TO BOOST OUR HEALTH FOR THE DAY.  THEN ENDED WITH ICE CREAM.  IT IS QUITE ENTERTAINING WATCHING US DECIDE WHAT ICE CREAM TO HAVE.  THERE ARE AT LEAST 15 THAT WE DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY ARE (TROPICAL FRUITS).  SO THEY WERE KIND AND LET US TASTE THE ONES WE WANTED.  MY FAVORITE IS ALWAYS COCONUT.  

WE ACTUALLY GOT A FEW HOURS FREE AND THEN HEADED OUT AROUND 8:30 FOR THE FAREWELL PARTY-DULCE PICKED US UP AND CATHY WAS WITH HER.  WE WENT TO ONE OF THE ROTARIAN’S HOUSE AND THE  DISTRICT’S NEXT GOVERNORS AND PAST GOVERNOR WERE BOTH THERE.  MARCOS HAD ARRANGE FOR 2 CHEFS TO COME IN AND MAKE ANY KIND OF PIZZA WE WANTED.  SO MANY COMBINATIONS.  OF COURSE, MY FAVORITE WAS THE DESSERT PIZZA-BANANAS AND CHOCOLATE. 

JOSE SET UP HIS NEW PROJECTOR (WE HAD PURCHACED IT FOR HIM IN THE STATES AND  HE ALLOWED US TO USE IT FOR OUR PRESENTATIONS DURING OUR VISIT HERE.  HE HAD MADE A CD OF SOME OF HIS PICTURES.  TRACY’S FIRST FATHER HAD DONE THE SAME AND HE WAS THERE ALSO.  WE DID NOT REALIZE THAT SOME OF OUR TAGUATINGA FAMILIES WOULD BE THERE.  SO IT WAS GREAT SEEING EVERYONE AGAIN. 

GOT HOME AROUND MIDNIGHT.  TOMORROW WE FLY TO RIO.