Fiesta Junina & Markets

Our second day in Brazil, a Saturday was a holiday call Fiesta Junina.

The other missionaries invited us, but thought we would be too tired to attend this event

 but always a victim of "FOMO"

(fear of missing out) we could not resist.  :)

  The woman in this picture is Sis. Sugiyama with her son and grandchildren.

Her husband is branch president of one of the English speaking branches (the one we attend)

 at the CTM (Brazilian MTC).  Pres. Sugiyama wanted to invite all the senior missionaries and CTM volunteers to come to his parents' country home for a picnic.  It was quite far away and we rode with some others and had plenty of time to talk and get acquainted.   It was a glorious "winter" day.

These Brazilian sisters are CTM branch workers with their husbands.

 -Claudia, Helaine and Lelia -

              Pres. Sugiyama's mother.  The festival includes optional "dressing up"  hillbilly style.

  Lots of Brazilians have Japanese names and heritage.

  This is the gate to this beautiful property.  Grandpa on the left is the owner.

    Line up!

 This flower (nasturtium) was on the table and people were eating them 

so of course we had to try it!

    Kind of tasty, when you get over that you're eating flowers~

 A spread of lots of delicious un-identifiables~

                                            Randy - cheerfully going along - he's amazing.
                   He did leave his backpack there and got pretty frustrated until we contacted
                             Sugiyama's who assured us they'd bring it to church the next day.

                                                   The "fazenda" (farm) house exterior.

                                                     Wonderful group of new friends.
                                   They made us feel so welcome and happy to be in Brazil.
                                            Pres. Sugiyama - front, center, stripe shirt

                                                                  Sister Sugiyama      

outdoor pool table - that's cool~

Most popular girl at the party!

OUT AND ABOUT!!

 The following Saturday, the Oversons took us on a bus, then the subway, across town to a

street market at "Liberdade Square".    The subway system is rather intimidating. 

 Some nice senior perks:  over 60 rides all public transit for free.                                                                                 Randy has to ride alone in a separate "pay area" of the bus.

 

                                                         leftover World Cup decorating

always ready for a market! -   discreetly carrying a valuable camera

                                                                    a cool, misty day

Another Saturday trip with three other couples.

Market at Praca Republica

                This is Kelly, she does beautiful custom bead work with seeds, nuts and wood
                                                               from Brazilian trees

Sister Wilkins had pre-ordered several strands to take home the following week.

Randy being his patient self - got a new hat  :)

Just a few of her original pieces - way too many choices!

When I finally made a decision, she shortened the necklace and made me a pair of earrings 

to match, no extra charge!

This is Craig and Jill Ferguson from Mesa, Arizona

who are temple missionaries and also work in the church travel office.

They just recently "extended" and will be here until April.  YAY!

we're not usually this dressed-up on P-day but we were going to the theatre that afternoon

         Elder Wilkins giving a "pass-a-long" card.  Their assignment has been area auditors                               but they seldom pass a chance to share the gospel.  

His advantage - excellent Portuguese, their third mission here in Brazil.
All our guy senior friends were junior missionaries in this country.

Across the street from this market we were surprised to find this statue honoring Lord Baden Powell.  He came and organized Scouting in Brasil.  We thought it ironic that Craig would discover this within the first weeks of our time here.