What a weekend......

Saturday began with a trip to my host family`s farm just outside of Nova Friburgo! It had a beautiful old house nestled amongst the trees with cows, ducks, turkeys, banana plantation, a swimming pool, a tree house (which Katie and I climbed up to)and a lake you can fish in! It was lovely to relax in the tranquility of the countryside!

We arrived in Nova Friburgo on Wednesday lunchtime and since then have been busy doing all sorts of things!
Day one we went and visited the Milk Bank (Banco do Leite) at the maternity hospital and the country club before heading to `Happy Hour` at the home of one of the Rotarians where there was food, ping pong, darts (until I broke the dartboard - it was an accident - I didn`t even touch it!)and merriment!

Wow, what a weekend!

We arrived at District Conference on Friday evening and watched the flags paraded in to `Chariots of Fire` - it reminded me of the Olympic Opening Games Ceremony without the torch but each club bringing their flag in to a round of applause!

Then it was time for some food and socialising where we saw lots of the Rotarians from clubs we had already visited and also met some of the Rotarians we would be seeing over the next few weeks. We also met the RI Representative from Argentina -Juan Pedro Torroba - and lots of other interesting people.

Last night we did our first presentation at Casa de amisade (House of Friendship) where the RC Araruama met! It all went really well and the presentation was well received by members of the club - they were very impressed by our Portuguese!! Thank you to the RC Araruama for their warm hospitality and the great programme that they had organised for us!!

Woke up bright and early to a beautiful sunny day on Lagoa Araruama! Plenty of coffee and chocolate cake for breakfast after last nights caipirinha! Mauro (our friendly bus driver) took us to our first stop of the day - RC Araruama's Headquarters! There we met the District Governor Elect - Luis Spitz and other Rotary Club member who would be our guides for the day. From here we headed off to the Escola Politecnia where college students and adults learn electronics, travel and tourism, nursing, health and safety in the workplace, architecture, and computing.

And the question now is....will everything fit into my bag?

Lots of packing and last minute bits and pieces to do but can't wait!