Eleven of us met at the Austin airport where many planes were delayed as a result of the recent rain downpours. The tower had been flooded so they were working from a temporary location and had to use visual confirmation for takeoffs and landing which was difficult with the fog that accompanied the rain. But we did get off with a minor delay and actually landed on time in Atlanta. There we met Polly who was joining us from Des Moines where we had met her on a Friendship Force exchange two months ago.There was a short layover and off we went on a Delta 767. We had seats very close to each other so we could talk and enjoy each others company. Some slept better than others and there were always good movies to enjoy along with our two meals and free drinks, In the morning nine hours later flying over Sao Paulo was interesting looking down at this massive city. It has 10 million people in the city proper and 18 million with the suburbs. There are high apartment buildings next to metal shacks throughout the city. I was surprised at how few cars were on the roads and in the city streets at 8:00 am in the morning. I was told at dinner later that traffic is really a disaster at that time of day. A surprise to me from what I saw and I am sure I will find out in the days to come.
At the airport it looked like a wonderful reception with up to 20 people greeting us like long lost friends, hugs and kissed for the gals and hardy handshakes and bear hugs for the men.
It was sweet, just the way one would imagine a friendship force greeting should be. Of course, massive confusion over the ATM machines as they acted differently than ours and several people could not squeeze any money out of them as their cards were rejected. But who needs money when you have so many new friends ready to take care of you.
Zosia and I staying with Iracina and Luiz as a co-host. The whole gang got in the bus that was waiting except for Zosia and me. Since Luiz lived near the airport he drove his car and we were off the fabulous brunch at the beautiful country estate. Josephine and Joe hosted the event which they do for many Friendship Force clubs that visit. It is truly a tropical wonder. They gardens were beautiful and the brunch was extensive with local foods and many homemade dessert specialties. The fruit platters displayed all the local fruits.
After meeting everyone and trying to remember the names, all of the names which I had never encountered before. It was very hard to pronounce them, but it didn't matter, we were all having a blast. After eating, we all migrated down to the pool area where Frances was playing beautiful Brazilian music on his most unusual guitar. His voice was just wonderful and he played for three hours - it was just like the music we have been listening to for the last three weeks. The Austin Ambassadors took to the water and only a couple of the Brazilian hosts did.
The gardens were full of fruit trees and every kind of flower one could imagine. The birds were flying all around but since we had never seen these before they were very hard to identify.The owner of the home and the Exchange Director (ED) for the Brazil club gave prepared speeches in English apologizing for their mastery of English. Zosia, our ED, gave a warming acceptance speech in English, of course, with the only two words of Portuguese and of us knew. Then it was time for each of the Hosts to welcome their Ambassadors and give them their gift bags (a friendship force tradition). We were all also given a handmade personalized gift from the oldest member of their club (81 years old). It was great. Then it was time for dancing - dancing the salsa and then the Congo line back rubs.
Sunburned and tired from little sleep and a little jet lag (it was only four hours difference) it was time to head off to our hosts home. Here is Zosia our ED with our host Iracema.
At the airport it looked like a wonderful reception with up to 20 people greeting us like long lost friends, hugs and kissed for the gals and hardy handshakes and bear hugs for the men.
It was sweet, just the way one would imagine a friendship force greeting should be. Of course, massive confusion over the ATM machines as they acted differently than ours and several people could not squeeze any money out of them as their cards were rejected. But who needs money when you have so many new friends ready to take care of you.
Zosia and I staying with Iracina and Luiz as a co-host. The whole gang got in the bus that was waiting except for Zosia and me. Since Luiz lived near the airport he drove his car and we were off the fabulous brunch at the beautiful country estate. Josephine and Joe hosted the event which they do for many Friendship Force clubs that visit. It is truly a tropical wonder. They gardens were beautiful and the brunch was extensive with local foods and many homemade dessert specialties. The fruit platters displayed all the local fruits.
After meeting everyone and trying to remember the names, all of the names which I had never encountered before. It was very hard to pronounce them, but it didn't matter, we were all having a blast. After eating, we all migrated down to the pool area where Frances was playing beautiful Brazilian music on his most unusual guitar. His voice was just wonderful and he played for three hours - it was just like the music we have been listening to for the last three weeks. The Austin Ambassadors took to the water and only a couple of the Brazilian hosts did.
The gardens were full of fruit trees and every kind of flower one could imagine. The birds were flying all around but since we had never seen these before they were very hard to identify.The owner of the home and the Exchange Director (ED) for the Brazil club gave prepared speeches in English apologizing for their mastery of English. Zosia, our ED, gave a warming acceptance speech in English, of course, with the only two words of Portuguese and of us knew. Then it was time for each of the Hosts to welcome their Ambassadors and give them their gift bags (a friendship force tradition). We were all also given a handmade personalized gift from the oldest member of their club (81 years old). It was great. Then it was time for dancing - dancing the salsa and then the Congo line back rubs.
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