Hi everyone. Sorry it has been so long since I last updated the blog. As Ann noted two weeks ago, the weekend of our offsite excursion is a very busy one. We were up early on Saturday morning for our trip to Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, a state park located about two hours east of Vicosa. If you wanted to try and find this on a map, we entered the park near the city of Araponga. Although the trip took about two hours by van, I would estimate the park was only about 50 or 60 miles from where we are staying. However, the road was steep and winding as we climbed the mountains to the park.
Once we left Vicosa and began to climb in elevation, the first thing we noticed was the coffee fields. Along the hillsides was field after field of coffee plants. It was harvest time for the coffee and in yards we would see the coffee beans laid out to dry. We would also see people out “raking” the coffee. As the coffee beans dry, someone needs to turn or rotate the beans so they would dry evenly. This needs to be done five times a day until the coffee is dry. Then it is bagged up and transported to a plant that will roast the beans. At some properties that looked like very small farms, there would be large concrete pads to spread the coffee beans on but even in small yards the beans would be laid out on the ground. In the first picture, you can see an example of the coffee fields on the hillside at the entrance of the park.
Once we arrived at the park, we toured a visitor center and watched a video of the animals that are unique to the park. Included in these was a type of monkey on the protected list as it is almost extinct. There are only about 1,200 of these monkeys remaining in the world and about 400 of them are in this park. We all hoped to see a monkey during our day but we were not so lucky.
The second picture is of six of our eight students at a scenic viewpoint we stopped at in the park. From left to right is Fabi, Carol, Irene (front), Aline, Cristy and Robson. Daniel was not in the picture and Ricardo was away with his family for the weekend. In the background you can see some of the Brazilian forest that is native to this area but is becoming rarer as the area is developed. Part of the purpose of the park is to protect the nature and wildlife unique to this part of Brazil.
Shortly after we arrived to this viewpoint, we began to hear a strange noise that most of us thought sounded like heavy trucks or construction equipment operating in the area. When we asked what it was, we were told it was a type of monkey and they were calling to each other; probably alerting the group of our arrival. It lasted for a few minutes but by the time I thought to try and use the video on my camera to record the sound it was over and they did not start up again.
There was a waterfall about 3 miles from the scenic viewpoint that we had hoped to see but the van drivers were unsure of the road conditions and didn’t want to drive us there. We considered walking there and back but some in the group were hesitant to do so; especially with the steep grade of the road. Nothing was flat here and although the downhill walk may not have been bad, some were dreading the uphill portion of the trip. So instead we walked to another area of the park for lunch. This area of the park contained the original home of the private landowner who owned the coffee plantation before this became a park. Here we ate our packed lunch before heading back to the van for the trip home.
About halfway home we stopped in the city of Canaa for some ice cream or Coca Cola. In the final picture, you can see Daniel and Carol scooping out their ice cream while others of our group are wandering about the shop. If you don’t see the person you’re looking for in the picture, look closely at the mirrors at the top of the photo and you might see their reflection. After our refreshment stop, we boarded the vans for the ride home but the excitement for our day was not yet over. Just outside of Vicosa there was a police roadblock where we were asked to pullover. There were different versions of what might have been happening while we were pulled over but at one point the police were giving our van driver quite a lecture. He explained that there was confusion over his documents but others wondered if it was just an opportunity for some ‘payola’ to be exchanged. After about a half hour of waiting we were off again for the remainder of our trip home. We arrived back to the house shortly before supper. There was talk of a movie for the night but many were tired from the days travel so some went to bed early while others stayed up and played games.
Sunday is a relaxing day at the house. We have a church service in the morning that lasts from 10 until just before lunch at noon but this is the only thing formally scheduled for the day. John gave a wonderful presentation on the fruits of the spirit and I think many of the students and the US team were moved as he identified the fruits he had seen in us during our time here. After another great lunch (I haven’t had a bad meal since I’ve been here) a group of us walked into the center of Vicosa in search of an ATM. Many on our team had not yet found an ATM that they could use with their cards and they were concerned they would not be able to buy gifts or souvenirs before we left. It was a good walk (about 3 miles each way) and just what the doctor ordered for those in the group looking to get out and move a bit. Of course there was another ice cream stop along the way but we figured we had walked enough to earn the reward.
We were back in class this morning and it was much like a Monday at home. Everyone was dragging a bit this morning and hesitant to get back in the swing of things but by midway in the morning we were all back in the routine and learning about desserts and prepositions. I would guess that most of our students here now know more about a dangling participle than those of you reading at home. I’ll be back tomorrow with pictures and the story of a special party we will share this afternoon.
Until then,
Dan and Team 2
Once we left Vicosa and began to climb in elevation, the first thing we noticed was the coffee fields. Along the hillsides was field after field of coffee plants. It was harvest time for the coffee and in yards we would see the coffee beans laid out to dry. We would also see people out “raking” the coffee. As the coffee beans dry, someone needs to turn or rotate the beans so they would dry evenly. This needs to be done five times a day until the coffee is dry. Then it is bagged up and transported to a plant that will roast the beans. At some properties that looked like very small farms, there would be large concrete pads to spread the coffee beans on but even in small yards the beans would be laid out on the ground. In the first picture, you can see an example of the coffee fields on the hillside at the entrance of the park.
Once we arrived at the park, we toured a visitor center and watched a video of the animals that are unique to the park. Included in these was a type of monkey on the protected list as it is almost extinct. There are only about 1,200 of these monkeys remaining in the world and about 400 of them are in this park. We all hoped to see a monkey during our day but we were not so lucky.
The second picture is of six of our eight students at a scenic viewpoint we stopped at in the park. From left to right is Fabi, Carol, Irene (front), Aline, Cristy and Robson. Daniel was not in the picture and Ricardo was away with his family for the weekend. In the background you can see some of the Brazilian forest that is native to this area but is becoming rarer as the area is developed. Part of the purpose of the park is to protect the nature and wildlife unique to this part of Brazil.
Shortly after we arrived to this viewpoint, we began to hear a strange noise that most of us thought sounded like heavy trucks or construction equipment operating in the area. When we asked what it was, we were told it was a type of monkey and they were calling to each other; probably alerting the group of our arrival. It lasted for a few minutes but by the time I thought to try and use the video on my camera to record the sound it was over and they did not start up again.
There was a waterfall about 3 miles from the scenic viewpoint that we had hoped to see but the van drivers were unsure of the road conditions and didn’t want to drive us there. We considered walking there and back but some in the group were hesitant to do so; especially with the steep grade of the road. Nothing was flat here and although the downhill walk may not have been bad, some were dreading the uphill portion of the trip. So instead we walked to another area of the park for lunch. This area of the park contained the original home of the private landowner who owned the coffee plantation before this became a park. Here we ate our packed lunch before heading back to the van for the trip home.
About halfway home we stopped in the city of Canaa for some ice cream or Coca Cola. In the final picture, you can see Daniel and Carol scooping out their ice cream while others of our group are wandering about the shop. If you don’t see the person you’re looking for in the picture, look closely at the mirrors at the top of the photo and you might see their reflection. After our refreshment stop, we boarded the vans for the ride home but the excitement for our day was not yet over. Just outside of Vicosa there was a police roadblock where we were asked to pullover. There were different versions of what might have been happening while we were pulled over but at one point the police were giving our van driver quite a lecture. He explained that there was confusion over his documents but others wondered if it was just an opportunity for some ‘payola’ to be exchanged. After about a half hour of waiting we were off again for the remainder of our trip home. We arrived back to the house shortly before supper. There was talk of a movie for the night but many were tired from the days travel so some went to bed early while others stayed up and played games.
Sunday is a relaxing day at the house. We have a church service in the morning that lasts from 10 until just before lunch at noon but this is the only thing formally scheduled for the day. John gave a wonderful presentation on the fruits of the spirit and I think many of the students and the US team were moved as he identified the fruits he had seen in us during our time here. After another great lunch (I haven’t had a bad meal since I’ve been here) a group of us walked into the center of Vicosa in search of an ATM. Many on our team had not yet found an ATM that they could use with their cards and they were concerned they would not be able to buy gifts or souvenirs before we left. It was a good walk (about 3 miles each way) and just what the doctor ordered for those in the group looking to get out and move a bit. Of course there was another ice cream stop along the way but we figured we had walked enough to earn the reward.
We were back in class this morning and it was much like a Monday at home. Everyone was dragging a bit this morning and hesitant to get back in the swing of things but by midway in the morning we were all back in the routine and learning about desserts and prepositions. I would guess that most of our students here now know more about a dangling participle than those of you reading at home. I’ll be back tomorrow with pictures and the story of a special party we will share this afternoon.
Until then,
Dan and Team 2
4 comments:
Christy Porterfield - is that you next to the shelf in the back? We're enjoying the Blog very much and continue to pray for all of you.
What an amazing work God is doing in each of you. He prepared the way, long before you answered the call to serve. I'm so enjoying your words, the work you are doing and what God is giving back to each of you participating. May you continue to find His blessing in each and every day.
Kathy M from Michigan
I just spent the last hour reading up on all the posts from the beginning. You will be in my prayers too.
Nathan H (from York)
Hi Sheila...yes that is Christy in the back of the store next to the shelf. Thanks for reading the blog.
Dan
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