We had a nice leisurely morning good breakfast and swims. We didn't know what to expect at this University but we were shocked. In Brazil there are Public Universities which are free and the are Private Universities which you pay. Public ones are highly competitive where 1 out of every 100 applicants get in. This university we are visiting is private. We are to meet the president in this beautiful conference room - they provide us with an information package full of goodies. We watch a video that describes their mission and programs. It was impressive but nothing compared to the speech the President gave us. It was in Portuguese, but the translator, Naama, made the hour-long presentation sound so fluid, almost like we were understanding the President directly.
President Wilson passionately explained how the public school system worked providing only two hours of instruction each day. Far below all other Latin American countries and how this has led to their crime rate being high and holds the seventh largest economy back so long. It sure sounded like a political speech,and it were, all of the Ambassadors would have voted for him. We were breathless and impressed; and felt we knew the cure for much that ails Brazil. Then, of course, a wonderful wonderful lunch salmon and sushi starters and the endless "self-service" buffet.
Then during afternoon we went to the mall where I hung out nursing a tiny cut of strong Brazilian coffee reading a book on the phone. Zosia and the others shopped for what seemed like a long time. The mall is the last place I wanted to be on this Brazilian day, but we all need to appreciate the needs of others. And Mall did have the best Creche scene - after all Christmas is only six weeks away. The streets were decorated already. Then it was back home again for a swim and wait out the daily thunderstorm.
Tonight was the night we were to go to the Brazilian dance hall, but things didn't go as smoothly as we hoped. The night club was to open at 9:00, but the club had been flooded with the afternoon thunderstorm. So we decided we would head out late. Some of our group showed up early without calling and found the club closed, others didn't know what was going on so they found there things to do. Our group showed up a little after ten, but we were told the band wouldn't start until 11. That's OK, we'll just sit here and eat fried chicken and fried fish, and of course drink lots of beer.
When the band did start the place started to rock. We all got up and danced much of the time. It was exciting, but then again when are we really out at a club until 1:00 am eating and drinking. They were a versatile band and even started playing songs that we Americans loved. What a time and it was no surprise that our hosts knew the owners.
President Wilson passionately explained how the public school system worked providing only two hours of instruction each day. Far below all other Latin American countries and how this has led to their crime rate being high and holds the seventh largest economy back so long. It sure sounded like a political speech,and it were, all of the Ambassadors would have voted for him. We were breathless and impressed; and felt we knew the cure for much that ails Brazil. Then, of course, a wonderful wonderful lunch salmon and sushi starters and the endless "self-service" buffet.
Then during afternoon we went to the mall where I hung out nursing a tiny cut of strong Brazilian coffee reading a book on the phone. Zosia and the others shopped for what seemed like a long time. The mall is the last place I wanted to be on this Brazilian day, but we all need to appreciate the needs of others. And Mall did have the best Creche scene - after all Christmas is only six weeks away. The streets were decorated already. Then it was back home again for a swim and wait out the daily thunderstorm.Tonight was the night we were to go to the Brazilian dance hall, but things didn't go as smoothly as we hoped. The night club was to open at 9:00, but the club had been flooded with the afternoon thunderstorm. So we decided we would head out late. Some of our group showed up early without calling and found the club closed, others didn't know what was going on so they found there things to do. Our group showed up a little after ten, but we were told the band wouldn't start until 11. That's OK, we'll just sit here and eat fried chicken and fried fish, and of course drink lots of beer.
When the band did start the place started to rock. We all got up and danced much of the time. It was exciting, but then again when are we really out at a club until 1:00 am eating and drinking. They were a versatile band and even started playing songs that we Americans loved. What a time and it was no surprise that our hosts knew the owners.
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