We have been in Caraguatatuba for a few days. Still been a hectic schedule seeing cities and Rotary clubs. We have been to Sao Sabastiao and Ubatuba on this visit. All the hosting clubs have been great and have given us an amazing experience to remember. 

We have visited a marine museum for the local area and were given the tour by a founding member of the museum and the founder of most of the artifacts that are within the museum. After the tour he presented each of us with a personal copy of the book he authored about the history of Sao Sabastiao and the founding of the museum.

We have also been to Ubatuba and went bird watching, went for a swim at a waterfall, went to a turtle rehabilitation facility ("The Tamar Project"), and to the beach for a little relaxing. The Tamar project rehabilitates sea turtles that were injured and if they cannot rehabilitate them they house them there.

We are being overwhelmed by the experience and absorbing as much information as possible. Keep checking in for further updates.

AHHHHHHHH, a moment to rest. So It is day 6 of the tour in Brazil and things have been moving at a whirlwind pace. To catch you up just a little, I have had two professional visits. One Monday and one today. Monday's was at the Military Police headquarters and training facility, followed by the COI, and finished up at the Fire Post. This was a great tour and my tour guide was a past GSE member to Seattle and Vancouver. I was able to see the training facility for the police which, as it turns out is even where the firefighters start out. All of the services here are military and all personnel start out in police academy for eight months and then four months of fire school. I was able to see the police band, the helicopter services, and then got a nice ride in the back seat of the police car to the COI. This is where the police have a unit that monitors the happenings of the city and controls traffic flow and other operations. Then off to the fire post for lunch, and a great tour of the fire post. Seeing the dispatch center, the training facilities, and meeting the man in charge. Then off to see the fire units. That was very interesting. 

Today, some of the same but, in a different city. All the cities within Sao Paulo are under the same command. That is 39 cities but, each have a different commander for the stations. Today I was introduced to the crew in Guaratatuba. A fun bunch to meet that is doing alot to help the community children by providing a structured learning environment and teaching first aid, ropes, fire extinguishment, and many other skills to the children in the community on a daily basis. I was very impressed.

Off to another activity, sorry for the posts being far apart but, the experiences keep coming in and we are on the move frequently. Check back often for more updates.

Miracle in the Park

Yesterday after we met the mayor os Sao Jose dos Campos, (yes we met the mayor!) we had some free time so we went to the park. Laura, the daughter of our of our host families, served as our tour guide and driver. Thank you Laura, we owe you big!

At the park we walked, did some chin ups on the pull up bars, played in the sand, played on the swings and did sit ups on the sit up bench. It was a much needed relaxation period. So we´re going to leave and someone says something about a phone and I realize that mine is not in my pocket. Mild panic.

We look back thru the park while we walk to the car because Candace said something about seeing a phone on the seat. We get to the car and search. No phone. Increased panic.

Then we walk back thru the park retracing out steps. On on our way back to the car for the final time and I say, ok God I need a miracle, like now. No lie, we walk back up to the sit up bench and I look down and when I look up and an older gentleman hands me my phone. Score one for God coming thru!!!!

So now what was about to turn into a drink of frustration became a drink of celebration. Whew! Things not to do in a foreign country: #1 lose your phone! Happy ending, yay! On to Cataguatatuba!

This is a picture of the group on Sunday at Campos do Jordao. Neat place and very scenic. 

Monday was our first professional day. Everyone enjoyed our visits and had an amazing experience. Today we are visiting the Mayor.

What a great experience so far.

Well today we had an awesome day in Campos do Jordão. Beautiful views, great people and lots of fun. To help us keep abreast of what they´re doing, below is the link to their blog. Enjoy!

http://rotarycamposdojordao.blogspot.com/

Day 2

Its day 2 here and there´s already so much going on. Its been a whirlwind of shuffling from location to location seeing different sights along with sampling the best food and drink our gracious hosts have to offer. Tomorrow is a vocational day which means we´re headed out to shadow people in our respective professions. This should be neat! Bom Noches! I think that´s the correct term for goodnight. As you can see, my Portugese needs work!

-A.

Here is the group of us at the Hanover Rotary meeting. We are eagerly anticipating take off day, as it is coming up quick. Each of us continue to study Portuguese and are working on our presentations. Keep checking back for more updates.