Ground Hog Day, Brasil Style (Day 8 in Brasil)

 We are still in Brasil . . .

Friday morning we packed so that we'd be ready to head to the airport later in the day. As you know, the flight was canceled. Which meant some unpacking for Friday night. And then packing again Saturday morning (at 5:30 am) so we could leave for the airport at 6 am.

Fred dropped us off at what we thought was the right place for Continental. Of course we really needed to be at the other end of the other terminal. Eventually Fred found us and helped with some translating which basically came down to Continental hadn't communicated well with TAM so, although Continental sent us a confirmation e-mail, TAM had no record of us -- and no seats! We were sent to another line, to get on the wait-list. Fred and Nancy went in search of the Continental office. We eventually found one (down a snaking corridor) but it was closed. Someone at one of the other airline offices told Fred how to find the other office (up an escalator, behind the telephone office, down the hall). No one there either. So, it was back to Mike. After more standing in line and Fred talking with the supervisor, bottom line, no seats.

Back to the car; as we loaded our luggage in Fred's car, he said, "Welcome to Brasil." Nancy responded, "Abrigado (thank you)". Then we headed back to the apartment with a stop at an electrical supply store (Fred needed some things for the office), and then at the office. This time, however, Nancy was able to say, ahh, there's the building with the tall antenna, there's the Greek Orthodox church, there's the complex of buildings where Fred's office is. Back at the apartment building, Fred said, "Welcome to our apartment." Nancy responded, " 'brigado."

And it was time to partially unpack, again, and change out of our travel clothes (long sleeve t-shirt, smartwool socks) and into our Brasil clothes so we could go across the street to the padaria for breakfast. Of course they were very surprised to see us; Nancy told Fred to tell them the breakfast was so bad at the airport we had to come back. The dogs (Noelle and Tasha) were very glad to see us again and so was Cris (who was now awake, Saturday is her only day to sleep in, during the week school starts at 7 am).

We had a quiet morning, Fred went off for the meeting he'd postponed, Mike took a nap. Nancy and Cris visited a local shop (they call it an apothecary, it's like the Body Shop or Bath & Body Works). Nancy got passion fruit body lotion and guaranara hand cream (guaranara is a small berry used for Nancy's favorite Brasilian soda).

We went down the block for lunch at Metrolandia Lanchonete (which is pretty much what it's name suggests). As we were leaving the building, we ran into Gabby, Marcio, and his mother and they agreed to join us (we had dinner with them Thursday night). Mike and Nancy shared feijoada, a typical Brasilian dish with bits of meat stewed in beans, rice, greens, and cassava flour (farofa) (see the photos and the links for more information). Then it was back to the apartment for a quiet afternoon. Nancy took a nap, Cris worked, more episodes of Big Bang Theory were watched. A quick trip to the padaria bought the makings for a light dinner (rolls, cold cuts, cheese). This was followed by a House marathon.

And then just as Mike was about to check-in for our flight, the power went out. Luckily Cris had an iPhone, and we were able to check-in and get bulkhead seats. We went to sleep by flashlight. 

Day 8 photos