Sunday and Monday from Jacque

Hi All,


Checking in from Brazil finally!!! We have been so busy and without internet access so it has been impossible to blog. Let me first say how amazing it has been here for all of us. After a nice day on Saturday, we finally got to sleep in on Sunday. As a matter of fact, I did not wake up until 10:00 am on Sunday. Woohoo! Finally some sleep. After a slow start, we picked up Joe and were off to the beach. As we are on Brazilian time now, we were supposed to be there at 11:00 am and didn't arrive until 1:30 pm. No problem though, Clarissa, Marcos (the lovely team leader who will be taking his team to California and Nevada in May), his family and Luciana were already there and having a fabulous time. Because we love to eat so much, we ordered a bunch of food. Chicken kabobs, crab empenadas, cheese fries and some fried crab balls (can't remember exactly what it was called, but was definitely delicious!). After the delicious snacks, we headed out to the water, which I must say feels like bath water. There is no body shock to get in!

After the water, the snacks, and the hot sun we were ready to go shopping. A HUGE "thank you" to Marcos for taxing us around all afternoon to help us find exactly what we were looking for even after he had spent all day with us at the beach! Marcos and Luciana, we can't wait to entertain you and your team in California. Now, time to go home.

When, I arrived home, Ramon and Monalisa presented me with some fabulous gifts! Pedro loved them so much, he started playing with the soccer ball. (Pedro, is my one year old brother from Brazil. I absolutely adore him). I then had 40 minutes to get ready for the comedy show. One thing, among the many, that I have learned in Brazil is to get ready fast! It is awesome.

So we got all dressed up and headed to the show. Despite not being able to understand him, it was hilarious!! I had a ball, he acted most of his jokes out and Ramon and Mona translated some so we had so much fun.

After the comedy show, off to pick up Joe and head to Cariri. Cariri is a Forro(Country) restaurant and bar. There we met Ramon and Mona's friends, Lay, Gracie and there family. We have hung out with them all week and they have been so gracious. The girls gave me a CD of all the Brazilian music they have been trying to teach me. It was so fun, the band gave me and Joe a special shout out for coming all the way from California and we both learned had to dance Forro. Can't say we are good at it, but had a lot of fun learning. Might I add that I tried cow intestines while we were there...ewww!..kind of taste like crispy bacon. After Cariri, it was off to bed. :)

Thank you to all of our FABULOUS hosts in Aracaju, we will miss you!!

Monday


Got up early on Monday to figure out my packing. Yes, as if I haven't already had enough issues...I had to figure out how to fit everything I need in one suitcase because we will be taking a domestic flight from Feira De Santana to Maceio. This was interesting, but I survived and made it to the van at 8:00 am. We were now on our way to Feira De Santana, four hours away. About one hour into the trip, we stopped at a road side stand to use the restroom. Our so gracious driver bought us coconut water, we have all tried it, but are not to fond. However, because he already purchased it, I passed, but pointed to Clarissa. She was lucky enough to accept the water. Now, the big challenge...what to do with this coconut that none of us wanted. We found a place to lodge it in between the seats, so we thought that we found the perfect solution! We spoke too soon, the first HUGE speed bump that we hit, the coconut went flying all over the van. We were all laughing so hard, we forgot to pick up the coconut. It rolled all over the van several more times before we finally got to a location to dump it. Clarissa did take several drinks of it to confirm her decision of it not being to her liking. :)

We arrived around 12:30 at Flor do Maracuja in Feira De Santana. There we were met by more lovely rotarians. We were given our host assignments, ate lunch and were on our way home. Lucky for me and Clarissa, we got placed in the same home so we have now been roommates all week. Monday evening was just for settling in and getting some rest.

We are hoping to blog some more tomorrow to bring everyone up to speed. For now, good night and orbrigada.

Jacque