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.