Keeping up with the blog becomes a challenge when we are doing so many exciting and new things. Monday night we arrived at the hotel in Bonito MS a little before 2:00 am. It was a short night as we were checked out of the hotel and on the bus by 7:30.am. We had reservations for snorkeling at 8:00 am. Today was the day the students talked the most about when they looked at the schedule when we arrived in Brazil. Bonito is described as the vacation spot of Brazil. It is hot, a resort area and very lush with animals and vegetation. The host families told the students it would be lots of fun. I think Bonito lived up to its reputation. At the snorkeling park we divided in three groups and were given a wet suit, life jacket and snorkeling mask. We were driven to a trail, followed it for a short walk, and learned some history of the area and the fish. We arrived at the dock and were given some brief instructions on preparing the mask and how to breathe and then into the water we went. Ask your student about their experience. It is so difficult to put it into words. We did see a variety of fish. I had an underwater camera so I was able to get some good shots. I still have lots of room to improve on my photography skills but it was great fun trying to take pictures. After snorkeling we were able to go swimming and enjoy the sun and then we had a very good lunch with food of the region. We left the snorkeling park and went to Balneario do Sol, which is a resort/water park in Bonito. You could swim with the fish, zip line into the water, dive or jump off the board, swim to the waterfalls, soak up the sun or play pool and ping pong. It was a awesome day swimming with the fish, having fun and relaxing in the water.
Wednesday we visited Bunge which is a smaller version of Farm Science Review. The show represents the Dourados region. The focus was on the plant industry rather than animals and we could see the research that was being conducted in the area and how determined Brazil is in improving their agriculture industry. In the afternoon we visited Semen Barra which is a seed company. They maintained a sample of each seed they processed. They had their own drying, chemical coating packaging and storage systems. While we were at the seed company it poured rain.
From there we went to a local softball stadium to play softball. There is a local girls team that Shirota is familiar with because he has family members who play on the team. First the AZP girls played them. We won’t discuss the outcome. All I will say is we need to practice, a lot!! Then the boys and Suzie stepped up to the plate and they held their own and at least represented AZP well. We didn’t keep score but I think our boys won. Shirota allowed us on the bus to come home. If we didn’t win we were going to be left behind.
In the evening the group was invited to a traditional Japanese meal with the softball team and their families. Again, oh so welcoming. Brazil is so much different than America when it comes to welcoming and making people feel at home.
Thursday we visited COPACENTRO which is a 127 member cooperative. They served us breakfast and we learned about the cooperative, services they offered their members and research they were doing. Most of the farmers owned 100 hectors or less and farming was their only income.
We had a wonderful lunch with Shirota’s cousin’s family. He is the President of the cooperative and the coach of the girl’s softball team we played. We had roasted pork and beef rib Brazilian style. They were so welcoming. This is the second time they have welcomed an AZP group into their family. After lunch we played pool and ping pong and relaxed, before we started on the long trip Presidente Prudente/SP. Until next time, stay warm.
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