Missionary Lunch and Korvatunturi

 March 28  Saturday

This morning was pretty much focused on preparing lunch for the four Canela missionaries.  I fixed a vegetarian pizza, a huge mixed salad, and a pan of yummy corn bread (from Janete's recipe).  For dessert we had chocolate cream cake and vanilla ice cream.  Can't get much more American than that! 

Birds of Paradise on the way
to bus station

After lunch we all walked to the bus station to purchase our tickets to Florinopolis.  It took at least half an hour to complete the process, but we finally have our tickets.  We catch the bus - a double decker sleeper bus - in Gramado around 8:00 p.m.  We travel all night (hopefully sleeping) and arrive at 6:00 a.m. on Monday morning.  Sounds like another adventure to me! 




Capoeira demonstration

While the guys finished with the tickets, Ann and I went to the Páscoa Feliz Bazaar just a few blocks away.  We found a group of students demonstrating capoeira by the Colonial Bakery led by Robson Oliveira - a member of the branch waiting to get married so his girlfriend can be baptized.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8xxgFpK-NM

We also met a very friendly Miss Canela who asked if I would like a picture. . . I thought she asked if I wanted a picture of her, but she was asking for a picture together.  Tall, slender, beautiful young woman. 


Capoeira

Johanna and me

Jonas (member friend), Ann, Johanna,
Me and Merl

We all enjoyed walking around the bazaar and purchasing a few things.  Top on my list were a pair of brown leather dress boots and a sheep-skin prayer rug.  We also bought bottles of concentrated grape juice (grapes grown in Canela) and jars of pimento/pineapple cooking sauce and pesto. 
The highlight of the day was yet to come.  At 6:45, the Copas picked us to go to a play in Gramado, Korvatunturi-Em Mundo Encantado.  It was advertised as being intimate, interactive, and passionate. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jccpC3PR52A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lVNgZQubSU 

Entrance into theatre

We weren't sure what we were going to see, but the Copas had heard great reviews.  Senior tickets (love the discount for getting old) were $R40, and a box of popcorn was $R10.  So for $R90 per couple, we were set. 

After standing in line (we arrived early to get a good seat), we entered into a magical world.  The aesthetics were incredible: bark on the floors, jungle birds/animal sounds in the background, essence of woodsy/floral aroma, tree limbs/moss overhead, waving grass and flying birds on scenes. . . all amazing.  As people were entering, characters from the play gave a prelude of what was expected by interacting with audience members.  Character development was in full progress.  The music and singing was great, costuming was incredible, entertainment value at its best. 

Even though Merl and I couldn't understand the language, we could follow the story line.  (Photos not allowed during production and pre-show photos were taken in the dark.  Check out the youtube links to see what it was really all about.) 

After the play, we went to a Chinese restaurant, China do Serra.  We all ordered a platter and then shared each dish.  The food was excellent, as well as the company. 

The rain had been present off and on all day.  We were fortunate that we avoided the worst of it.  The temperatures are getting much cooler at night, and a sweater/jacket or at least long sleeve shirts are needed.  I only brought one long sleeve shirt (two years ago, it was still warm in April).  Must go shopping. . .