As always we start the day at the padaria down the street (the real way to spell bakery in Portuguese!) Nancy was more daring today and had cheese bread; the cook added a piece of french toast (very cinnamony) and some fried cheese strips. And of course a glass of fresh papaya orange juice.
Rodizio is Portuguese and roughly translates to "many different kinds". In reference to food (such as at the grilled meat restaurant or even a pizza place) it means all-you-can-eat with many choices. When referring to traffic in Sao Paulo, it means that based on the last number of your license plate, you travel is restricted on certain days. So, as Fred's license plate ends in 3 and today is the 3rd day of the week, he cannot drive the car between 7 and 10 am and 5 and 8 pm (rush hour). That means we have some quiet time around the apartment. And then we're off to Campinus, which is north northeast of Sao Paulo (see map at front of today's photos), about one hour away.
The highways are interesting, lots of trucks. No tunnels this time. First stop is outside of Campinus at the Royal Palm Hotel. It's huge and beautiful -- the site of many conferences (we could see lots of people with their name tags). We lunch at the buffet. Wonderful food, beautifully displayed (see the photos).
The next stop is at a special place -- the Bradesco Foundation. This foundation was started by the founder of the Bradesco bank. We are at it's headquarters, where there is also a k to 12 school and the Bradesco Technology Institute. There are forty schools around Brasil, serving around 112,000 students. These schools are totally free for the students, including uniforms, textbooks, laptops, and food. First priority is given to the children of the bank employees but the rest of the spaces are reserved for poor students. We are given a tour of the school.And then we visit the Technology Institute where Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, several other software companies, and Lego have all joined forces to supply training for students, teachers, and industry.
Then it's back on the highway and we finally find Unicamp, the university at Campinus. Mike is visiting with a professor of geology he met last summer. They ran a teacher training workshop in southern Brasil (at Iguassu Falls) last August. This is his friend's chance to show us their facilities at the university. And then we are invited back to his house where we get to meet their 6 dogs and some of their 14 cats. His wife works with a cat and dog rescue organization.
Fred, Mike, and Nancy join our friend, his wife, her mother, and his son for dinner at a pizza restaurant. There is a huge list of pizzas to choose from and eventually we settle on one large pie that is half four cheeses and half onions and mushrooms and a second large pie that is half pepperoni and half escarole. Needless to say, the pizzas were a bit surprising. There was pepperoni on my slice of pizza, also a huge amount of cheese, no discernible tomato sauce, and some sun-dried tomatoes. And it was completely covered with chopped arugula. You can see it in the photos. It was an interesting dinner -- our friend the geology professor spoke fairly good English, his wife understands some English but doesn't feel comfortable speaking it, the MIL spoke no English, and the 32-year old son (probably moderate Asperger syndrome) spoke some English. I sat across from Fred so I'd have someone to translate for me.
Finally dinner was finished and we were able to leave (around 9:30 pm) and head back to SP. Did I mention that an early dinner here would be around 7 pm, the usual time seems to be 8 pm.
Enjoy day 4 photos.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Joy of the Beach in February (Day 3 in Brasil)
Breakfast was our usual -- buttered rolls, coffee for Mike and Fred, and freshly made orange/papaya juice for Nancy. Cris wasn't with us as she teaches at a nearby high school and had left much earlier. We hung out at the apartment while Fred made a quick trip (3 blocks away) to his office and brought back a bag of cheese bread fresh from the oven (see photos). Then it was off to Santo -- about an hour south east of Sao Paulo (see map at start of photos).
Highways in Brasil are similar to highways back home -- just more interesting things to see along the way. Beautiful flowering trees interspersed with what can only be called slums. There is a brief glimpse in one of my highway photos. We also stopped by one of the large reservoirs that serves the city of Sao Paulo. Just as we have New York City and New York state, Sao Paulo is a city within the state of Sao Paulo. Santos is also located in the state of Sao Paulo. It is best known (at least by me) as the home of Pele, the great soccer/football star.
The city of Rio is known for its fancy sidewalks and Santos has similar ones -- mosaics. Along the street by the beach are many tall apartment buildings. Unfortunately, there is no bedrock beneath them and over time they have tilted, which you might be able to see in my photos. Our first stop was lunch. Mike and Fred went to this restaurant about 3 or 4 years ago (although Fred had been there many times before). The waiter remembered Mike when we came in and was very happy to see us. Lunch was a large platter of fish (badejo, a type of grouper) that had been grilled and covered with a tasty sauce that included tiny shrimp, mushrooms, capers, garlic, and oil) with rice and potatoes. Although it was enough food to feed a small country for a week, we did finish it. Mike and Fred shared a beer, Nancy had fresh passion fruit juice.
To work off our lunch we went to walk on the beach. The water was very, very warm -- it felt like a bathtub. Mike explained it had something to do with equatorial currents. On the beach are mobile bars and ice cream vendors, who will also rent chairs and umbrellas. We then went to the Santos Aquarium, very nice (there are lots of photos). Mike is very happy here because in Brasil seniors are defined as 60 or over; every place has at least a reduced price if not free admission.
We watched a very large ship leaving the port. Santos is a major seaport (looked a lot like the area around Newark with all of the containers). Fred then treated us to fresh sugar cane juice -- one bottle was flavored with fresh lime (which they call limon; the yellow things are lima -- talk about confused!) There are some photos of the sugar cane cart -- the lady who owns it spent about five years in Florida (there's a big Brazilian population in the Orlando area) and was happy to speak English with us.
Then after a wild ride through Santos we found the Coffee Museum. It is on an old,cobble-stoned street with many buildings from the early 1900's. Because Brasil was a Portuguese colony, many of the buildings are European in style. The museum was originally the coffee exchange and now contains photos and old equipment and things (for the glassies reading this, note the Anchor Hocking candy dish). See the photos. Mike and Fred drank coffee at the cafe and we purchased a half kilo of some special coffee to bring home to Sam (my son the coffee drinker).
Time to head back to Sao Paulo. The highways between SP and Santos go through the mountains, including several tunnels. Very picturesque, also a little scary with all of the trucks and crazy drivers. The horn is an integral part of driving in Brasil. We encountered some light rain on our way back but found out there had been a major thunderstorm in SP while we were gone. Cris told us her school lost power twice.
We had a quiet evening at home. And only a very light dinner. Watched some more Big Bang Theory on DVD.
Day 3 photos
Highways in Brasil are similar to highways back home -- just more interesting things to see along the way. Beautiful flowering trees interspersed with what can only be called slums. There is a brief glimpse in one of my highway photos. We also stopped by one of the large reservoirs that serves the city of Sao Paulo. Just as we have New York City and New York state, Sao Paulo is a city within the state of Sao Paulo. Santos is also located in the state of Sao Paulo. It is best known (at least by me) as the home of Pele, the great soccer/football star.
The city of Rio is known for its fancy sidewalks and Santos has similar ones -- mosaics. Along the street by the beach are many tall apartment buildings. Unfortunately, there is no bedrock beneath them and over time they have tilted, which you might be able to see in my photos. Our first stop was lunch. Mike and Fred went to this restaurant about 3 or 4 years ago (although Fred had been there many times before). The waiter remembered Mike when we came in and was very happy to see us. Lunch was a large platter of fish (badejo, a type of grouper) that had been grilled and covered with a tasty sauce that included tiny shrimp, mushrooms, capers, garlic, and oil) with rice and potatoes. Although it was enough food to feed a small country for a week, we did finish it. Mike and Fred shared a beer, Nancy had fresh passion fruit juice.
To work off our lunch we went to walk on the beach. The water was very, very warm -- it felt like a bathtub. Mike explained it had something to do with equatorial currents. On the beach are mobile bars and ice cream vendors, who will also rent chairs and umbrellas. We then went to the Santos Aquarium, very nice (there are lots of photos). Mike is very happy here because in Brasil seniors are defined as 60 or over; every place has at least a reduced price if not free admission.
We watched a very large ship leaving the port. Santos is a major seaport (looked a lot like the area around Newark with all of the containers). Fred then treated us to fresh sugar cane juice -- one bottle was flavored with fresh lime (which they call limon; the yellow things are lima -- talk about confused!) There are some photos of the sugar cane cart -- the lady who owns it spent about five years in Florida (there's a big Brazilian population in the Orlando area) and was happy to speak English with us.
Then after a wild ride through Santos we found the Coffee Museum. It is on an old,cobble-stoned street with many buildings from the early 1900's. Because Brasil was a Portuguese colony, many of the buildings are European in style. The museum was originally the coffee exchange and now contains photos and old equipment and things (for the glassies reading this, note the Anchor Hocking candy dish). See the photos. Mike and Fred drank coffee at the cafe and we purchased a half kilo of some special coffee to bring home to Sam (my son the coffee drinker).
Time to head back to Sao Paulo. The highways between SP and Santos go through the mountains, including several tunnels. Very picturesque, also a little scary with all of the trucks and crazy drivers. The horn is an integral part of driving in Brasil. We encountered some light rain on our way back but found out there had been a major thunderstorm in SP while we were gone. Cris told us her school lost power twice.
We had a quiet evening at home. And only a very light dinner. Watched some more Big Bang Theory on DVD.
Day 3 photos
Monday, February 21, 2011
Greetings from Brazil -- Where the Nuts Come From (Days 1 & 2)
Day 1
Greetings from Brasil (as it is spelled down here). It is wonderful to be where it is summer (and tropical), especially knowing that it is snowing on Monday in NJ. Here's a brief look at what we've been doing our first two days in Brasil, along with some photos.
Good flight Friday night, I even slept on the plane (unusual for me). We landed in Sao Paulo, Brasil around 11 am on Saturday. After making it through customs, our friends Fred and Cris met us and took us out to their car (parked on a grassy spot as there isn't enough parking). After getting to their apartment, and meeting Noelle and Tasha (Cris & Fred's furry little dogs), it was off to Churrascaria Noviiho de Prata (a rotisserie restaurant for lunch). Even more amazing than the versions in the US!
Fred & Cris had a surprise for us -- on Sunday we were going to a football match (soccer for those of you in the US), Corinthians (home team) vs. Santos. So after lunch we went for a pre-visit to the football stadium to see the football museum. It is only about a year old and very impressive -- lots of digital media, photos, etc. And they insisted my husband Mike had to get a Corinthians shirt, with his name on the back. Next stop was the office building where Fred has his office and runs the little coffee shop in the lobby. We were treated to hot chocolate and then went up on the roof of the building (there are some great "aerial" photos of Sao Paulo. Then back to the apartment for some quiet time (and watching our Big Bang Theory DVD). Although I wasn't hungry, around 8 pm we went to a local pizzeria (Vila Milagro) where I had a salad and a small taste of the pizza.
photos from Day 1
Day 2
Cris was out early as she sings in their church's choir. We woke up later and went across the street with Fred to the pateria (sort of a bakery/deli/convenience shop). Breakfast was buttered rolls, coffee for the men, and some tasty tropical juice for me (Fred has promised to show me a photo of the fruit on the Internet). Then we took a taxi to the church, arriving near the end of the service so we got to see and hear Cris.
Next stop was lunch at a beautiful restaurant that had been converted from an old mansion. The specialty is paella (which we got to see them preparing). But of course there were three big buffet tables -- salads, hot dishes, and dessert.Another delicious meal.Many of the patrons had very upscale cars (see photos). And there was an artist and a pond with koi. Across the street was a gas station -- cars here can run on just ethanol, which is subsidized by the government (and made from sugar cane), so it's cheaper.
We drove to an upscale neighborhood near the stadium, paying a security guard (from the neighborhood) to park in front of one of the houses. Football in Brasil is unlike football in the US. And this game in particular was between two major rivals. The armed police (bullet-proof vests, riot shields, helmets) was my first indication this might be a little different. The fans have huge banners that they unroll during the game and then roll up again (you'll see photos). Also, one of the star players for Corinthians, Ronaldo, just retired and he had his official farewell before the game. The Santos fans were in one small corner of the stadium with their own police guard. Corinthians scored first, only to have Santos tie it up. Just before the second half, the thunder storm that had been threatening hit -- a true tropical deluge. Fred, Cris, & I went above the seats where there was a roof, Mike stood on the last row of seats just under the overhang. Corinthians scored on a penalty shot and then, close to the end, scored again to make the final score 3x1 (the way they show scores here).
Back at the apartment we watched more Big Bang Theory and had a very light dinner.As Fred has Vonage, we were able to make some calls home.
Photos from Day 2
Greetings from Brasil (as it is spelled down here). It is wonderful to be where it is summer (and tropical), especially knowing that it is snowing on Monday in NJ. Here's a brief look at what we've been doing our first two days in Brasil, along with some photos.
Good flight Friday night, I even slept on the plane (unusual for me). We landed in Sao Paulo, Brasil around 11 am on Saturday. After making it through customs, our friends Fred and Cris met us and took us out to their car (parked on a grassy spot as there isn't enough parking). After getting to their apartment, and meeting Noelle and Tasha (Cris & Fred's furry little dogs), it was off to Churrascaria Noviiho de Prata (a rotisserie restaurant for lunch). Even more amazing than the versions in the US!
Fred & Cris had a surprise for us -- on Sunday we were going to a football match (soccer for those of you in the US), Corinthians (home team) vs. Santos. So after lunch we went for a pre-visit to the football stadium to see the football museum. It is only about a year old and very impressive -- lots of digital media, photos, etc. And they insisted my husband Mike had to get a Corinthians shirt, with his name on the back. Next stop was the office building where Fred has his office and runs the little coffee shop in the lobby. We were treated to hot chocolate and then went up on the roof of the building (there are some great "aerial" photos of Sao Paulo. Then back to the apartment for some quiet time (and watching our Big Bang Theory DVD). Although I wasn't hungry, around 8 pm we went to a local pizzeria (Vila Milagro) where I had a salad and a small taste of the pizza.
photos from Day 1
Day 2
Cris was out early as she sings in their church's choir. We woke up later and went across the street with Fred to the pateria (sort of a bakery/deli/convenience shop). Breakfast was buttered rolls, coffee for the men, and some tasty tropical juice for me (Fred has promised to show me a photo of the fruit on the Internet). Then we took a taxi to the church, arriving near the end of the service so we got to see and hear Cris.
Next stop was lunch at a beautiful restaurant that had been converted from an old mansion. The specialty is paella (which we got to see them preparing). But of course there were three big buffet tables -- salads, hot dishes, and dessert.Another delicious meal.Many of the patrons had very upscale cars (see photos). And there was an artist and a pond with koi. Across the street was a gas station -- cars here can run on just ethanol, which is subsidized by the government (and made from sugar cane), so it's cheaper.
We drove to an upscale neighborhood near the stadium, paying a security guard (from the neighborhood) to park in front of one of the houses. Football in Brasil is unlike football in the US. And this game in particular was between two major rivals. The armed police (bullet-proof vests, riot shields, helmets) was my first indication this might be a little different. The fans have huge banners that they unroll during the game and then roll up again (you'll see photos). Also, one of the star players for Corinthians, Ronaldo, just retired and he had his official farewell before the game. The Santos fans were in one small corner of the stadium with their own police guard. Corinthians scored first, only to have Santos tie it up. Just before the second half, the thunder storm that had been threatening hit -- a true tropical deluge. Fred, Cris, & I went above the seats where there was a roof, Mike stood on the last row of seats just under the overhang. Corinthians scored on a penalty shot and then, close to the end, scored again to make the final score 3x1 (the way they show scores here).
Back at the apartment we watched more Big Bang Theory and had a very light dinner.As Fred has Vonage, we were able to make some calls home.
Photos from Day 2
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
You Can Go Home Again (Sort of)
For a few hours this past Saturday night, I was a teenager again. My daughter and I went to a Chad & Jeremy concert. For those who don't know Chad & Jeremy, they are a '60s folk-rock duo -- Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde. Although I was an ardent fan as a teenager, this was the first time I saw them in person.
The concert was wonderful -- they've aged well, their voices are still strong and lovely, and they were very entertaining. Prior to singing one song, Jeremy told about hanging out with the song writer, someone who wrote "brilliant" songs and was so excited that Chad & Jeremy were going to record one of his songs. And then, just before the album was released, the song writer got a call telling him to come home to the U.S. as one of his other songs had just broken big. At which point C&J sang "Homeward Bound". Yes, it was Paul Simon, who had gone to England when it didn't look like he and Art Garfunkel would be successful, only to have "Sounds of Silence" become a hit. (If it's any consolation, Chad and Jeremy are still singing together, Paul and Art aren't.)
One of the last songs they sang that evening was their biggest hit, "Summer Song". It sounded as good to me as it did all those years ago:
They say that all good things must end, someday, Autumn leaves must fall.
But don't you know, that it hurts me so to say good-bye to you.
Wish you didn't have to go, oh no, no, no.
And when the rain beats against my window pane,
I'll think of summer days again, and dream of you.
I can remember singing that song as I grappled with the typical teenage relationships. And I suppose that part of what draws me back to it are the memories. It's hard to separate the nostalgia from the actual song.
So, what song brings back memories for you?
 |
| Chad & Jeremy (photo by N. Passow) |
One of the last songs they sang that evening was their biggest hit, "Summer Song". It sounded as good to me as it did all those years ago:
They say that all good things must end, someday, Autumn leaves must fall.
But don't you know, that it hurts me so to say good-bye to you.
Wish you didn't have to go, oh no, no, no.
And when the rain beats against my window pane,
I'll think of summer days again, and dream of you.
I can remember singing that song as I grappled with the typical teenage relationships. And I suppose that part of what draws me back to it are the memories. It's hard to separate the nostalgia from the actual song.
So, what song brings back memories for you?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
My Three Words for the New Year
The start of the New Year is a good time to take stock and think about who you are and what you stand for. I am reminded of this by our daily newspaper, The Record (northern NJ), which publishes their Editorial Credo every year on January 1. Continuing that theme, one of the people I have started following on Twitter is Chris Brogan. In his January 1, 2011, blog he presents his "3 Words for 2011". Chris has been doing this for several years and inspiring others to also choose their three words. After reading his blog, I thought it was a great idea, but couldn't think of three words. Then this morning, as I was driving to Sunday morning minyan and bagel breakfast at my temple, my words came to me: Caring, Integrity, and Joy.
Caring: part of what makes me who I am is that I care -- about people, about ideas, about the world around me, about what other people think about me. Sometimes though I forget how important other people are. The other day, while trying to clear up my desk, an old fortune cookie fortune appeared "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting their battle too." So, in 2011 I will remember to care about me and about others. (As a start, no more snarky comments, at least not in public). And there will be another blog on this, our Rabbi spoke about "you don't know what you don't know" about other people; always give them the benefit of the doubt.
Integrity: just as The Record reiterates who they are and what they stand for, I too must stand for something. Integrity is being truthful, being loyal, doing the right thing, for yourself and for others. These past few years I have been drifting away from who I am, which is why I'm in the midst of a journey to find myself again. Partially it is spiritual (one of the reasons I went to temple this morning, I am making a real effort to be more involved on a regular basis). And it's also physical. After being a gym junkie for several years and being in the best physical shape I'd ever been in, I didn't just slide, I fell hard. So, I am starting to reclaim my body. Shoveling two feet of snow last week reminded me of how good it feels to use your muscles (as well as reminding me of how bad you feel when you're out-of-shape). In 2011, I will work on re-centering myself, because you can't be true to others if you're not true to yourself.
Joy: the world has become a very scary place, but if you always dwell on that it can overwhelm you. I know that life isn't always fun. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy what you're doing. I have become better at letting things go, not always having to fight the good fight. But I need to do that more, to look for the good in things and people. And I can help bring more joy to other people, particularly my family. In 2011, I will remember to enjoy what I'm doing, to look for the silver linings, and to try to bring joy to others.
Having taken these three words on as my guide for 2011 and, just as importantly, putting them out there, I have made a commitment. I will follow-up throughout the year and let you know how I'm doing. In the meantime, have you chosen your three words?
Caring: part of what makes me who I am is that I care -- about people, about ideas, about the world around me, about what other people think about me. Sometimes though I forget how important other people are. The other day, while trying to clear up my desk, an old fortune cookie fortune appeared "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting their battle too." So, in 2011 I will remember to care about me and about others. (As a start, no more snarky comments, at least not in public). And there will be another blog on this, our Rabbi spoke about "you don't know what you don't know" about other people; always give them the benefit of the doubt.
Integrity: just as The Record reiterates who they are and what they stand for, I too must stand for something. Integrity is being truthful, being loyal, doing the right thing, for yourself and for others. These past few years I have been drifting away from who I am, which is why I'm in the midst of a journey to find myself again. Partially it is spiritual (one of the reasons I went to temple this morning, I am making a real effort to be more involved on a regular basis). And it's also physical. After being a gym junkie for several years and being in the best physical shape I'd ever been in, I didn't just slide, I fell hard. So, I am starting to reclaim my body. Shoveling two feet of snow last week reminded me of how good it feels to use your muscles (as well as reminding me of how bad you feel when you're out-of-shape). In 2011, I will work on re-centering myself, because you can't be true to others if you're not true to yourself.
Joy: the world has become a very scary place, but if you always dwell on that it can overwhelm you. I know that life isn't always fun. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy what you're doing. I have become better at letting things go, not always having to fight the good fight. But I need to do that more, to look for the good in things and people. And I can help bring more joy to other people, particularly my family. In 2011, I will remember to enjoy what I'm doing, to look for the silver linings, and to try to bring joy to others.
Having taken these three words on as my guide for 2011 and, just as importantly, putting them out there, I have made a commitment. I will follow-up throughout the year and let you know how I'm doing. In the meantime, have you chosen your three words?
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