Wowzers! It is COLD here!! Some of you might have
heard already, but since last Tuesday it has dropped to temperatures that Mogi
das Cruzes has not seen in many, many years.
Some have said it hasn't been this cold since 50 years ago, some have
said in the last 10 years….either way, it is cold! The high the last few days has been 45
degrees. Perhaps not as cold as back home during the winter, but here, they
have no heaters and very little hot water. (in fact, our rooms have NO hot
water!) You are lucky to get a lukewarm shower at best. It was no where near this cold last year when
we were here, so though we didn't come prepared clothing wise, we have been
able to make a couple trips to the stores to purchase extra clothing and a few
extra blankets.
The team is doing
great. For the most part, spirits are
good despite the constant chill, and the team is all getting along very well.
Some of the team are feeling less and less of a culture shock as the days go
on, and some are even practicing their Portuguese when around native
speakers. All the team members have
purchased something in Portuguese as well, putting their limited knowledge of
the language to use!
TUESDAY
Tuesday after the
presentation at the public school, we went back to camp for lunch before
helping with the Making A Difference Program, the twice daily kids program that
Camp ABECAR runs year-round for local street kids. Maddie shared a lesson, and
Michelle led crafts, while Abbie led outside games, and the rest of the team
pitched in wherever needed.
After Making A Difference, we all worked on finishing the
painting that was started on Monday.
However, since Monday was in the upper 60's, we were all in shorts &
T-shirts, and Tuesday, with the drop in temperatures it found us in some…well,
interesting garb! Check out the pictures below!
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday started
early, with a 7:30am departure to another local public school, where we again
shared the dramas, music and testimonies that were prepared. We enjoyed a quick stop at a local coffee
shop, where the team ordered their beverages in Portuguese.
Making A Difference
and cleaning up the dorm rooms in preparation for the incoming team this
weekend, and more painting took most of
the afternoon. We enjoyed being a part
of the Wednesday evening church service, where we enjoyed worship songs in
Portuguese, recognizing the tunes of songs we sing at home, and enjoying
(mostly the warmth) tiny cups of incredibly sweet coffee.
A run to the store
for blankets and warm clothes followed the church service, which provided a
comic relief for the group….we were driving the Camp Car,(which is barely
hanging on) and might have gotten temporarily lost. The cars have no heaters, so the windows fog
very easily making vision a slight bit difficult, and it was raining making it
even a bit more difficult! It was an
interesting adventure for sure!! (BTW, no one was harmed in the making of this
adventure) :-)
THURSDAY
Thursday was our
'day off.' We enjoyed sleeping in a bit, shopping in downtown Mogi in local
street shops, and stuffing ourselves on Brazilian BBQ, Churrascaria. The team all tried chicken hearts (the
weren't told this until after they had eaten it!) Apparently they were
MacKenzie's favorite! YUCK! The amount of meat alone was incredible! We enjoyed
over 10 different types and cuts of meat, pastas, soups, salads, delicacies,
polenta, cheeses, fried banana and of all things, American French Fries.
We took the team to
the open indoor market, where fresh fish, fresh meats, cheeses, fruits and my
personal fav, chocolate covered Macadamia nuts abound. Several members of the team purchased soccer
jerseys, Brazil souvenirs and dried fruits.
We shared Pipoca con Queijo, street popcorn with chunks of warm cheese
and peanuts. YUM!
After the incredibly
large meal we took a very cold walk around a park, to get some exercise, where
we saw the cutest ever tiny monkeys! We
were also chased by gobs of ducks, geese, pigeons, chickens & roosters!!
The evening we had a
quick meeting to prepare for the weekend English Camp, and then hamburgers and
a bit more shopping at the mall.
Apparently Burger King is brand new, and yesterday was only the second
day it was open….I never knew Burger King could have such a line!!
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