Sunday - Dinner with the family (Jantar com a família)

At home Sunday is the most common time for some or all of our family plus partners to appear for a Sunday meal - most often a roast or a barbecue. And so it was this Sunday, with my new Brazil 14 family.  But I am getting ahead of myself...

On Sunday morning Radhesh had arranged, with the support of his clients/colleagues in the Tourism Department, a trip to a local farm.  There was a little bit of a mix-up on start times and they arrived for us slightly early, so we got away just around 10:30. After around 20 minutes or so we arrived at the location, a lovely setting by a large lake, with a purpose built restaurant and sheltered area (which we needed later).

The excited tourists spilling off the bus in search of new sights and experiences

After settling into our allocated area the first event was a boat ride round the lake - it seemed pretty large and we didn't actually go to the far end, looping around when we came across a very high viaduct/road that had been built across it.

I felt suitably honoured that they had built my monogram into the bridge

Returning to the restaurant, local residents ahead

After the boat ride there was a short interlude then we were allocated our passes for the horse ride.

Oh no, another bunch of tourists, hope I don't get that large gringo with the specs...

...darn it, lucked out again! 

The promised ride of 20 minutes turned out to be 5 minutes of preparation, 10 minutes of a gentle amble round the back of the block, and a couple of minutes dismounting at the end.  But it was enjoyable anyway, for me if not for the horse.

For the first time I saw some wild-life that persuaded me I was not in NZ - a humming-bird, a beautiful little thing but far too fast for me to catch in a photo, and a monkey. Someone thought they were a type of marmoset.

Whilst we were off horsing around and monkeying about some of the rest of the team braved the lake for a swim - they commented that the water seemed warmer than the pool at the country club.

The swimming team

Around this time lunch was called and we enjoyed another great selection of meat, salads, meat, fruit, meat, vegetables and did I mention meat?  We also had a selection of desserts, each of which it seemed tried to outdo its predecessor in the amount of sugar it contained. Coffee is served in tiny little cups - usually there is a pump pot full of it and you help yourself, so it is not an economy measure - in fact they have it by the door in most restaurants so even passers-by could help themselves!  Lunch was accompanied by a heavy downpour so it was as well we were under shelter.

 We assembled for a photograph before three of us were given the chance for another horse ride.   After that it was time to get on the bus and return to the hotel.

 Back at the hotel we had a couple of hours to do whatever before we headed out to a pot luck dinner at Larissa's father's house, where everyone was to bring along something related to their home country. I used the time to catch up on some zzzzs, have a shower, and do some washing.

We assembled downstairs with our plastic bags full of goodies and away we went in the taxi for about 20 minutes, a long ride across town.  The venue was in a walled and gated private housing estate, with sections looking like they were at least half an acre each, if not more.

Starting to gather at the house

We met Larissa's father and step-mother - I was very interested to hear they had been in NZ for a holiday at the beginning of this year and her father and I chatted about their trip. We also met the two Labrador dogs - a mother and daughter who took us all in their stride. The neighbours also came over so we met them too.  Once everyone had arrived we all got stuck into the various preparation activities. It was good fun and it was like a large (very large) family gathering.

Food preparation at work and hoover in position under the table in case of crumbs

Time to relax with an antipasto and a caipirinha

The main buffet

Desserts and cheeseboard and kiwifruit - my offering

View back to the party across the pool from the pool room (so to speak)

Party over, waiting for the taxis

It was a great evening and after dinner there was dancing for those so inclined (most of the party), and pool for me and a couple of others.  Much to my surprise (and no doubt to those of my friends with whom I play pool from time to time) I won a few games - I was on form!

Sadly it was soon time to pack up and head home.  We all agreed Larissa's parents had been very kind (and brave) to open their lovely home to us and we all had a great time there.

#ibmcsc brazil