Pamela's Misadventures: July 2007

I spent one extra week in Brazil after Katie and Lucas left. I wanted to have some extra time to visit friends and just enjoy some time in Brazil after our LST project was finished. In a conversation with Victor many months before I arrived in Brazil he suggested the possibility of taking a trip to Brasília, the Capital of Brazil while I was there and spending some time with a friend, Luis, who is originally from Itu, and his wife, Dora. Of course he also planned on playing a bit of tourist while we were there. From the moment it was suggested I liked the idea. Mostly because I don't know when I will be in Brazil again and I thought I should take advantage of the opportunity while I could.

In the end it worked out for Victor and I to make the trip. We flew from Campinas to Brasília on Monday, July 16th.

Here we are on our flight to Brasília.

Vitinho was way too excited over the fact that they gave us peanuts. It was kinda funny.

I love looking at the sky, whether from below or from above it is a wonderful and beautiful thing.

Luis, Dora and Danny, Dora's sister in law, picked us up at the airport. Luis had to go to work that afternoon but Danny and Dora took Vitinho and I to see our first tourist attraction, Catetinho. Catetinho was the first building constructed in Brasilia. It was the first official residence of the president, Juscelino Kubitschek aka JK. Catetinho was constructed over a period of ten days in November of 1956, before the city had been inaugurated.

This is a picture of Catetinho.

This is me inside Catetinho next to the version of the Brazilian flag from the time of the construction of Brasília.

Here's Vitinho with some tools that he really shouldn't have been touching.

Vitinho talking to a man who actually helped in the construction of the city.

Dora and I in front of a statue of Juscelino Kubitschek.

Danny, Dora and Vitinho on the balcony of Catetinho.

Dora taking a drink from a stream behind Catetinho.

Vitinho and I near the stream behind Catetinho.

On a little bridge that crosses the stream.

I have to give Vitinho credit for this beautiful photo of the leaf strewn ground at Catetinho.

Danny and her husband, me and Dora on the JK bridge at night.

Some illuminated palm trees that I thought were really cool.

The Metropolitan Cathedral designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Inside the Cathedral.

The angel sculptures suspended in the cathedral were made by Alfredo Ceschiatti, with the help of Dante Croce.

Outside the cathedral there are four bronze statues each one represents one of the four gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Here I am shaking Mark's hand.

No, this is not a giant igloo! This is the National Museum. Cool Architecture but there wasn't a whole lot to see inside.

This is the Central Bank of Brazil. This is where the Brazilian money is made. We went to the Museum of Money that is housed inside. It was pretty interesting. The building is supposed to be built to represent a dollar sign...$...Can you see it??

This picture is of the National Congress by night.

And here it is by day. The white dome on the left is the Federal Senate. The white bowl shaped part on the right is the Chamber of Deputies.

This is Vitinho inside the National Congress holding up the flag of São Paulo.

This is me sitting in the chamber of deputies.

Here's the future lawyer standing with lady Justice in front of the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil.

The thing that looks like a giant clothes pin is actually a place that they built for the pigeons to live in.

And this was the strangest coloured pigeon I have ever seen!...and I've seen a lot of pigeons!

This statue is the Monument of the Two Candangos. It symbolizes the workers who built the city of Brasília, these workers are known as candangos.

Here's Vitinho with the two Candangos in front of the Planalto Palace (where Lula, the president works).

This picture was taken inside the Panteão da Pátria. The building is supposed to look like a pigeon from the outside...I wasn't so convinced. This is 7 different paintings that are all connected in strange and interesting ways. It depicts different occurrences in the life of Brazilian hero, Tira Dentes. The book in front of it contains the names of Brazilian Heroes.

The gaurd in front of the Planalto Palace.

I thought it was kind of a cool shot.

This is me in front of Alvorada Palace. This is where Lula, the president lives. We were unable to tour it and Vitinho was really disappointed. I still need to write Lula a nasty letter, I mean how dare he not let me in to visit. ;)

The guard at Lula's house. If I'm not mistaken this particular group is called the "Dragons of Justice."

The JK bridge taken from the parking lot of Lula's house.

The view from on top of the TV tower. We were pretty high up!

The JK Memorial.

This was at the army barracks. I think it's a fancy place for speeches to be given. The Army Base in Brasília is way nicer looking than the one in Itu is!

This is me standing with the sign in front of the Canadian Embassy. I was really annoyed that they wouldn't let me in. Only if I had an appointment and was in some kind of trouble. I was also annoyed that my Portuguese is better that the woman's English who I talked to ON THE PHONE who wouldn't let me in. She didn't even come to the gate...I think I'm still annoyed...stupid Canada!

This is Victor in front of the sign for the Portuguese Embassy, which by the way let Vitinho, Dora and I in without even looking at our IDs and gave us a lovely little tour of the place. They didn't even know that he really is a Portuguese citizen...Again I say, stupid Canada!

This is Vitinho in front of what I guess you would call the High Supreme Court. Maybe one day he will work here???

We also went and visited the Church of Christ. We weren't there for a service but they let us in and showed us around.

A Igreja de Cristo na Capital. The same Architect who designed this church building has designed the one that is being constructed in Itu.

Danny, Me, Luis and Dora saying goodbye at the airport.

And then with Vitinho.

It was an amazing and unforgettable trip! Obrigada Danny, Luis e Dora pela sua hospitalidade. Estou com saudades de vôces!!! And thanks also Vitinho for planning out everything from the car rental to your amazing list of places to see. We drove in circles and we even walked in circles but it was an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. Thank you!

July 15th was Lucas and Katie's last Sunday in Brazil. João, on behalf of the Itu congregation, presented each of us with Portuguese/English Bibles and a package of yummy Brazilian coffee. I have to admit that as I stood at the front listening to what was said I had a great feeling of thankfulness that it wasn't yet my turn to be leaving. The thought of only having one week left was sad but it was better than the thought of leaving that very evening.

Katie and Lucas both brought so much to our team. I admire both of them for their dedication to preparing and going somewhere new to share their faith with others. I am very thankful for the time I was able to spend with them over the months leading up to this project and for the six weeks that we spent together in Itu. We had a lot of good times and I will look back fondly on the memories that were made. The following pictures were taken on their last morning in Itu.