Lets Go!

Our motto has become, "Lets Go!" We try to be on schedule for all our events but when we get off schedule- and we do often - then someone says, "Let`s Go" and off we go. (Please note that if you double click on the picture it will enlarge)

May 27 - We arrived in Caxias do Sul at the home of former District Governor, 4700, Leonel Nascimento and his wife Vilma and met their children and grandchildren. Our hosts families came and we all went out for some of the best pizza we have ever eaten. We also got our first look at the statue of the head of Christ, a landmark of the city. We all found our new homes and went to bed!


May 28 What a wonderful thing to do first thing in the morning - go to a chocolate factory - Flabelia. The hot chocolate was amazing - liquid chocolate - and the designs and displays of chocolate - not to mention the chocolate - were just beautiful. It was topped off by a trip upstairs to find a Rotary mathematics project to improve numeracy for young children. Ann was particularly taken with this project. It was progressive, using the latest "hands on" mathematics education.

Our next stop was a very large cathedral in the center of Caxias. Large bronze doors with sculptures and paintings of the stations of the cross adorned the interior. We had lunch at an Italian restaurant and had our first taste of Sagu, a traditional dessert of the region made with wine and tapioca. And, speaking of wine, we also visited our first winnery. This was a traditional winnery with a small museum of the Italian heritage of the family. It was a very cold day and we found the inside of buildings colder than outside. We bundled up and enjoyed the afternoon. Our last stop was an agricultural extention programme to teach local farmers about making products from their produce - "value added" - to retain more money for their work.

In the evening we made a presentation to a Caxias Club in a restaurant with a very large fire in the fire place. We were presented with a book about the cathedral and a book about the history and culture of the city with a companion CD. They also presented us with a recreation project for children that they are doing in our honour.


May 29 - Off in a big bus to a bus factory - a very large bus factory - Marco Polo. This factory was amazing in the number of buses it can turn over in a day. There were all sizes and they export their buses to Canada. The most interesting part is how they get the graphics on each bus. Each one is unique. We were then taken to lunch in a castle - draw bridge and all. It was a wonderful lunch with full service. They also had Sagu for dessert. We are really, really enjoying the desserts and we warmed our toes by the very large castle size fire.

We were picked up by another Rotary Club and wisked off into the countryside. What an amazing afternoon. After traveling backroads we arrived at a set of stairs going down, down, down first to a grato and then to a breathtaking waterfall. It was a long trip down - but so worth it - and a longer trip up. The nice thing about Brazilian men is they like to carry your bags and help you navigate through tricky footing. Great going guys!

Off on the bus again with a stop to pick oranges off a tree along the edge of the road - on the cliff side - to a traditional winnery tucked away in the mountains. We enjoyed a glass of wine and/or juice, cheese and sausage made in the traditional Italian way. We stopped to view another waterfall and ate Japanese grapes off a tree. A wonderful experience.

We then had "Churrasco" (taditional bar-b-q) and made our presentation. They had hot "pinhao" on the stove (large pine nuts) and they were warm and delicious. We got to see the whole Churrasco process from putting it on the skewers, salting, cooking and eating. We did get home that night after our courageous driver got stuck going out the gate but thanks to all we made it. Another adventure in Brazil.



May 30 - A shopping day. You can´t ask a team of women to go very long without shopping! We first worked on our blog and had lunch at "Nola´s house" thanks to Graciella and her mother. After they helped us navigate local shops to find long sleeve sweaters to keep us warm. We have discovered that layering is the best way to keep our heat in. We found some boots and other things. We also stopped by the Rotary Friendship House where the wives of Rotary members gather for fellowship and to make knitted and crocheted garments for less fortunate children. They are a lively gang who work very hard for their community.

We made another presentation and had a lovely dinner at the castle. The castle is a winnery which we toured before dinner. Our presentations have been very well received and we have eaten so very well. But - reality - everyone had to get home to watch "football"! It is too hard to explain but there are two teams, Gremio and International. The competition is fierce - everyone gets into it - and Gremio won the game to go on to play in the semi-finals of the South American Championship. When either side scores shouts and fireworks go off! You have to be here to experience and understand it. I also tried on my gaucho hat I bought and have no idea how I am going to get it home on the plane.

May 31 Another beautiful winnery, Vinicola Perini. We met the son of the owner, Pablo Onzi Perini, who speaks wonderful English and was our most gracious host. He explained all the processes as we strolled through the tanks, bottles and bright equipment. We were then hosted for lunch with very good fine and sparkling wines.

In the afternoon we were greeted by a very enthusiastic and proud Rotarian, Claudio Biasio, who helped build and continues to preside over a school for blind children and adults. This Rotary supported project gives training and support to those who have been blind from birth or have recently lost their sight. It was a very moving visit and amazing work for their community. Without this school, the blind would have little support and not be able to lead active and productive lives. Amy is trying on glasses that allow you to experience what it is like to have low vision. It shows the challenge faced by those with limited vision..

In the evening we made our last presentation in Caxias to the Rotary Club that sponsors the blind school. They had our flag flying as we came into the meeting room - such a welcome site. They had taken the trouble of borrowing our flag from the Marco Polo Bus Company. It was a wonderful evening and again, our presentation was very well received. Our last day in Caxias.

June 1 - Off to Farroupilha where we were warmly greeted and had our picture taken in front of the Rotary wheel at the entrance to the city. Our first stop was Casa da Crianca, a children's centre that supports at-risk children who would otherwise be on the streets. Rotary supports this centre in addition to the funding from the municipality. There are activities, lunch, clothing and access to a dentist. Talking to the children was very special.

We had lunch at a buffet where they weigh your food - so we had to be careful and not pick heavy stuff!

We then visited a Rotary supported municipal orphanage for babies and school age children. They are careful to keep families together for support. One family recently adopted a family of 5. The older children were at school so we were able to visit with the babies. A really wonderful place. Just outside of town we visited a famous church complex that honours an Italian Saint.

The great Rotarians who hosted us took us shopping at a centre that features local manufactured products. What great guys and gals. They helped us select items and made sure we got a good price - even helped try on hats!

We haven`t talked much about the local coffee shops - Tim Hortons and Starbucks rolled into one with a Brizilian twist - and the twist is the hot chocolate with chantilley on top! These would make a great export to Canada.

One last stop was a remarkable stainless steel factory started 15 years ago by in the basement of a home. Their most innovative product is a trash can that opens with the wave of your hand. The designs were outstanding. Their core product is machines that make shoes. These are exported all over the world.

But our day didn`t end here. We then drove on to Bento Goncalves. We met the future District Governor, "Mr. Darci" What a wonderful host!

June 2 - The Vino Cap hotel was very nice and very warm. It is owned and managed by a Rotarian and the staff were terrific.

We had a day trip to Garibaldi hosted by the Garibaldi Rotary club. More wonderful people. Garibaldi is a beautiful small city that looks very European. Eder Barbon was the leader of the group. Our first stop was touring a dairy cooperative Santa Clara (Heather was in "cow heaven"). It is a large dairy processor with 3000 share holders the majority who are small dairy farmers (average 25 milking cows).

We have to go so more later. Our thanks to the Zallon Hotel (www.zallonhotel.com.br) for giving us access to their high speed internet for the afternoon.

Can't Believe Another Week has passed in Brazil

May 23, 2007 - We are still in Erechim and we are celebrities - we were interviewed by the local newspaper, Bom Dia, had our pictures taken and then off to the local TV station, Global. During our lunch at the Rotary Friendship House we were filmed eating a special soup - chicken with a small tortalinie - that Marlie had the cook make specially for us. We were very moved by the Rotary school for needy children - it provides them with education, warm clothes, food and involves the whole family in social activities. Their motto is "Education, Love, Work". We also went to a candy factory and were interviewed again by the TV station dressed in smocks and paper hats - not a good look! We had a special time eating pizza including chocolate pizza. In the middle of dinner the whole place erupted when Gremio won the playoffs. This was the same time that the Ottawa Senators got into the Stanley Cup - so you can imagine.

May 24 & 25, 2007 - We left Erechim for Lagoa Vermelha (Red Lagoon) to our new wonderful host families. What a time we had with Arnaldo on his 2000 hectare farm. Wild and wonderful. He has a beautiful place and works with his daughter, Valesca. He took us all over including a wonderful wild ride off-road ride in his new truck over his fields to the top of a hill with a view of the entire countryside. Arnaldo has a dream of developing the land he loves with his daughter. The next day - more adventure with Arnaldo and his cousin Eraldo on his farm farther out from the city. On Eraldo´s farm we road in the combines as they harvested soybean and corn. Amy, Heather and Nola looked great harvesting the crops. His has beautiful native horses - small harty animals like the Quarter Horse. We also met a real gaucho along the way. We also met with and toured the CAMILA. A cooperative for regional farmers. Very well organized and helpful to their members. We presented to the Rotary Club in their hall. Beautifully decorated with Rotary tableclothes and dishes. They Mayor of Lagoa Vermelha presented us with certificates with a poem. He is a Rotary members. Again, our host families were wonderful and we felt at home.

May 26 & 27, 2007 - Today we moved on to Vacaria where we were greeted by many, many Rotary club members and had our picture taken under the Rotary wheel at the entrance to the town. What a welcoming group. We had a bar-b-q and then went to our host homes. We then visited an apple packing company. Apples and other fruits are a major industry of Vacaria. We then visited a fire station and learned about a unique Rotary fundraiser for the fire department - Bomba Amiga (Freind Pump). Local gas stations have special pumps that when you fill up at Bomba Amiga pump one cent is added per litre and this money goes to the Rotary club to support the fire station. They were able to buy new and important life saving equipment with this money. Do you think this would work in Canada? We then had a most moving experience at a home for seniors and disabled adults supported by the Club. This project provides a home and social programs for these adults who have been abandoned by their families. This was a very special experience for us. A most needed facility. We made our presentation at a most elegant meeting and dinner. We were presented with two works of art from local artists.

May 27, 2007 The next day we went to the Mother´s Club where women and their children learned crafts and were able to exchange their work for Rotary dollars to buy necessary food for their families. We visited the Cathedral and had a chicken bar-b-q with our hosts and the local Scouts. After this great morning in Vacaria our hosts drove us up and around the mountains to Caxias do Sul. More about this wonderful city and the 6 host clubs in our next posting.

Thanks for the comments

Hi all, bom noite

Thanks for all the comments on our blog and our travels. We have been so busy - now in Loagoa Vermelha (Red Lagoon). We are trying to get more pictures out of our cameras and into the blog. Keep tuned - we will figure it out!

Your GSE team.

Such a wonderful country - Brazil

Bom dia!

How can we describe what we have seen and what we have done? Brazil is beautiful but the people of Brazil are even more beautiful. So warm and welcoming.

This is what we have done since arriving (at 1:00 am):

Thursday, May 17 - Drove from Porto Alegre to Soladade to Passo Fundo (see posts below) and met our families. Had our first Bar-B-Q in Soladade and then in Passo Fundo - but always different meats and dishes. While in Soladade we visited Lodi Preciouos Rocks.

Friday, May 18 - Toured Passo Fundo University - very large and beautiful, Embrapa government wheat research centre, Kuhn Metasa farm implement plant, and a new - to open in one month - BS Bios a biodiesel plant. We then attended the opening of District 4700 Rotary Conference where we were introduced and after attended a cocktail party - and fell into bed at our host homes.

Saturday, May 19 - went to the Passo Fundo farmer´s market where we tasted local fruits, went back to the Conference were we met local artists and musicians and then lunch - a Bar-B-Q. In the afternoon we watched the gaùcho´s dance to traditional music that told a story. We made our presentation to the Rotary 4700 Conference - it was very well recieved - and we spoke as much Portugese as we could. We then changed into our black dresses and we went to the ball. Wonderful food and music and dancing the samba and all other dances. We danced well into the night(morning) and closed the place with la´bamba.

Sunday, May 20 - we toured the town of Passo Fundo by foot, beautiful architecture and flowers and trees. We met a local crafts person who is making very unique shawls from an old technique. We bought many to bring home to Canada. Then went to a local Rotarian´s home where we had Bar-B-Q. Most homes have a Bar-B-Q pit with skewers. After lunch we went to the top of very new hotel with a view of Passo Fundo and drove through the area to see the houses - both wealthy and needs - but all kept well and the people were busy. Then we went shopping for Brazilian shoes so our feet would be "happy!" We also picked up toys and supplies and visited a local orphanage for older children, Lars Emiliano Lopes where we met the children and very dedicated staff and director. At the end of the day each went home and had a dinner with their host families. A wonderful end to a busy visit in Passo Fundo.

Monday, May 21 - we were picked up by wonderful Rotary Members and driven a short distance, about 70 km, to Getulio Vargas. What a day! We visited a farmers co-operative where they are working together to store and market crops, then lunch - Italian - and then off to the Federal School of Agriculture where we visited with faculty and students, toured their dairy barns, touched our first Pinheiro tree - a tree that only grows in Brazil. We then visited a new up-and-coming university - IDEAU - and met the president. We quickly changed our clothes at Rotarian´s homes - so kind - and then went to a Rotary dinner. They had delayed "Mother´s Day" until we arrived! A wonderful evening - dinner, our presentation with so many questions we were so happy to answer. Then roses and tributes to mothers - and future mothers with roses from a Rotarian florist. We also tasted our first Pinha - the fruit of the Pinheiro tree - toasted. An amazing taste. We then drove to Erechim - about 50 km - and settled into a small and friendly hotel, Alphaville Hotel- at 1:30 am. Another wonderful and full day.

Tuesday, May 21 - we were reunited with our friends who picked us up at the airport - Marlei and Linor. Erechim is a very modern city. We visited a local university - URI - with many programs and with students from elementary, high school, technical programs, Bachelor and Masters programs. We visited a lab doing reaserach on biodiesel and the by-products. We went to a beautiful restaurant for lunch and then had a very needed rest. Later in the afternoon we visted Rei Verde - a manufacturer of a type of "green tea" made from the Erva Mate bush. This is a very traditional drink - chimarrao - that is prepared in a cuia and drunk through a bomba (a metal straw that filters the tea). It is a shared drink that is a little bitter but very refreshing. We then went to a bus factory where they manufactured every kind of bus from small shuttles to very large high deck touring buses. This is a major industry in Erechim. After another short rest we attended a Rotary dinner for all four clubs in Erechim at their local "Friendship House" that was build by the clubs and where they meet. We made our presentation for the third time - again so very well received with lots of questions, hugs and kisses after. We exchanged banners. Another amazing day.

It is now May 23 - our first week in Brazil - and we are off to new adventures today!

Ann & Heather-Anne

Busy in Brazil

Hello All!

We have been very busy in Brazil. We started from Porta Alegre on Thursday, May 17. We had lunch with very lively Rotarians in Soledade - our first Brazilian BarBQ.

Then on to Passo Fundo. A very beautiful drive through the mountains. Our kind escorts were Linor & Marlie who explained the trees, towns and all the sights.

We stopped a Lodi Prescious Stones in Soledade - just amazing

variety of stones - we did our first shopping in Brazil.

Then on to Passo Fundo to meet our "families". We were warmly greeted. A true Rotarian tradition.

We settled in and then went to another Brazilian BarBQ cooked by the men from the three Passo Fundo Clubs - we are learning how to EAT in District 4700!

And Drink- a special drink - Chimarro, that Heather-Anne is enjoying (don´t worry its a herbal tea!).

On Friday we visited Universidade de Passo Fundo. They have the most beautiful campus with 20,000 students taking programs for 1, 2, and 3 year diplomas, 4 year Bachelor degrees, Masters and one PhD program. A truely multi level true university with an emphasis on applying learning in service to their community and country.

More later - we have to go get ready for our presentation to the District 4700 Conference.

Wish us luck.

Your GSE Team

DAY 1

Hello everyone! Brazil and its people are beautiful! We arrived safe and sound after a small luggage scare... yes, we thought one of my bags was lost! No worries... the Lord provides!


As Ann mentioned we had a late night, but spirts are high as the warm hearts of Brazilans are energizing. We left Porto Alegre in the choas of morning rush hour traffic. We were traveling in a van with our two hosts and two drivers- one to drive and one to stick his head out the window to provide direction. Kristian, now that you have mastered driving in Pairs, I´d say Brazil is your next challenge!

My introduction to Brazil actually began yesterday on the flight over. From New York to Sao Paulo I was seated beside a lovely young couple, Marcelo and Sabrina. They are Brazilan, but currently live in New York. They were traveling to Brazil to introduce their families to their two month old son, Nicholas. These two individuals are extremely bright and have a deep passion for their mother country. Marcelo in particular has a vision for Brazil and insightful opinions on the reason for its current state of affairs. I will reflect on and share with you the conversation I had with Marcelo and Sabrina when I have more time to chat. On the flight from Sao Paulo to Porto Alegre I chatted with Fabiano. His family farms 4000 hectares! They produce rice, soybean, cattle and have 300 sheep- all started by his great grandfather of Italian decent. Members of his family do not `do the work.` It is simply an investment. He works off farm as a business consultant. He is missing all the fun!

Back to today.... we traveled inland from the port city of Porto Alegre to Passo Fundo. Miles and miles of slums could be seen on our way out of the city. We then traveled through the `sleepy cities`(bedroom communities) of Porto Alegre. Soon after the view quickly became very rural. Subsistance agriculture was observed. The landscape was lush, green, and exotic mountains and valleys with lots of rivers. Stunning! Ceramic crafters and small garden centres dotted the road side. By the way... the roads are in terrific shape. I have to say better than Nova Scotia Roads! Min

We are in Brazil

Your GSE team has arrived in Brazil. Great - but long flight. We were me met very late - or should I say very early in the morning - 1:00 a.m. in Porto Alegre. We were warmly greeted by Isabella, Linor and Marlei. A nice thing - where we are, in South eastern Brazil, which has the same time zone as the Maritimes so no jet lag.

We have taken lots of pictures but are not able to post them yet.

We are off to Passo Fundo today.

District 4700

District 4700 is in the Southern most State of Brazil. Rio Grande do Sul means "Long River of South”.

In the map to the right district 4700 is in South Eastern Brazil (noted in light pink), central in the southern most region.

Our first activity, May 17th, is to attend the District Conference in Passo Fundo. We will be hosted by Rotarians throughout the District as we travel to Getulio Vargas, Erechim, Lagoa Vermelha, Vacaria, Caxias do Sul, Garibaldi, Flores da Cunha, Bento Goncalves, Sao Marcos, Veranopolis, Nova Prata, Gramado e Canela, Lajeado e Estrela, and Teutonia. Our visit will end on June 13^th with our return to Canada.

District 7820

Geographically, District 7820 is one of the largest of Rotary Districts. We are a family of 46 Rotary Clubs and 1800 Rotarians we include the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador; Isles de la Madeleine and Frances, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon (France). Our current clubs are enclosed within a giant triangle formed by Yarmouth in the southwest, Labrador City-Wabush to the north (1025 air kms) and St. John’s (1185 air kms) to the southeast. Our 93 year legacy of service to the local and global community is a proud one.