Beyond the City Life

Well folks, you need two things to update a blog, 1)the Internet and 2) time. We have had neither of each in the past couple of days and it has made things rather difficult as far as updates are concerned. For this I do apologize. The Internet in the hotel has been down for the past two days and when we get to Impacta this site is blocked. Nonetheless, life in Sao Paulo has been and continues to be a pleasant learning experience. Days still consist of waking up, planning for the day's lessons, meetings with various people, and so on and so forth. We usually do not get home until 1130 or 12 midnight every night so that makes for two tired guys from NC. Jimmie has contracted a little head cold (which has almost completely dissipated) so other than that it has been smooth sailing.

On Saturday we toured the outskirts of Sao Paulo and visited an older city called Embu das Artes. It was a cool artsy town with many shops. There was a big street market where people sold different forms of arts and crafts. Here you could buy anything from hand made leather sandals to and assortment of candy roasted nuts.

On Sunday we went to Campos do Jordao, a quaint town located in the mountains about 2 hours north of Sao Paulo. It had a very European feel and to be honest reminded me a lot of the North Carolina mountains. If all the people would have been speaking english I would have thought I was in a larger version of Banner Elk or Blowing Rock. Campos was having a Winter Festival that weekend and we were able to check out a performance by the Sao Paulo Symphony as well as walk the streets to window shop and sample some more excellent food. After touring the town Valderes drove us to the top of one of the highest mountains in the city. As you can see from the pictures the view was definitely worth the trip. We were about 6000 feet above sea level at the highest point so it was about like being on top of Grandfather Mountain. We headed back home after eating in a small town outside of Campos do Jordao.

Class has been going really well for both of us. Our students are top-notch and it has been a pleasure getting to know all of them. I had one of my students ask me about what the word "Ain't" meant. That was an interesting conversation. When I was explaining how the word was used and giving examples it half way sounded like a rap and country song mixed together. I wish I had that on video. Many of them have expressed interest in coming with the next exchange group in January, hopefully Jimmie and I both will have the privilege of introducing them to many of you when they come to visit.

Jimmie and I are heading to Belo Horizonte on Saturday evening then off to Vicosa, Jimmie's home town. I am looking forward to seeing a different side of Brazil. More updates to come.

Here are some more pictures for you all to check out. Hope you all are doing well.

ArtTown

CamposPics

Hard at Work