Where did Thursday go??

Well today was more the sort of day that I am used to. We left the hotel at 8 this morning and returned at 7:30 this evening.

First stop was at an college in the older part of Natal.

There were speeches made by all sorts of important people about the project over the past few years. Mostly in Portugese with very quiet English translation ... mostly I couldn't hear.

Ladies dressed in lovely costumes did an entertaining dance for us at the end.

Then we walked to another room in the building (but arrived late as we didn't really know where we were going) ... there was a group of young children that played the xylophone and recorders. What we did hear was wonderful.

There were 2 women brought to Natal from each of the 13 states that have been studying in the project. They have published a book that tells the stories of many women and how this has changed their lives. All the women that were at the meeting were signing the books for us.

Then we piled onto the bus and were whisked off for lunch to an amazing location by the ocean. In case you haven't figured it out yet ... almost every place in by the ocean with an amazing view.

Then we piled back into the bus and drove to the other college more central to downtown. Here we sat through some more speeches. This time we had the headsets for English translation, so it was a bit easier to listen ... I only nodded off to sleep once! Nearly broke my neck. No Pictures of this part.

All the people who spoke were supposed to be a total of 20 mins ... it went on for 3 hours.

At the end another group of high school students came in to perform for us. All students in grade school must take music ... from the very beginning. Grade 1. It is mandatory!! What is wrong with our school system. ... Anyway, they were GREAT.

There were booths set up at this college as well. The women from the project and from each state set up their work. It was pretty amazing. These are the partners for fashion, two teachers and the director.

This was one of the first women I met. She is from the first graduating group. The women created this packaging for the things they sell.

Bus back to the hotel. Dinner at 8 downstairs. I am ready for bed now ... and not hungry in the least.