Cachaca Bulls and Jonathan Plays Soccer!

O.K. I admit it, I have been a total slacker for the past 10 days. We have had a few crazy days (and by crazy, I mean busy), and I just couldn't make myself lift a finger to blog. Then, we lost Internet for two days. Enough excuses, I have a lot of catching up to do!

Let's start with last weekend. Jonathan and I went to Campinas last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Jonathan had a Dow Enlist Tour to attend on Friday, and then the station leader down there, Kent, invited us to stay with his family on Saturday so we could enjoy some of the things Campinas has to offer.

Friday night, we went to dinner at a place called Giovanneti with all of the Dow employees that flew into Brazil for the tour. There were people from everywhere: Argentina, Mexico, United States, Europe, etc. The restaurant was a pretty cool place with foods ranging from traditional Brazilian dishes to sushi. My favorite thing about the restaurant, however, had nothing to do with the food. It was the cow-sized dog that greeted us at the door that stole my heart (also known as Beethoven):

Hanging out with this big guy made me miss our pups at home, O.G. and Baylee, until he slobbered on me. Well, no, he didn't slobber on me - he bathed me in his spit. My sad emotions were quickly replaced with the urgent desire of finding a napkin.

After we finished our meal, everyone decided to order dessert. I have always been skeptical to order any type of cake or brownie in Brazil because cake here isn't as sweet as it is in the U.S. In fact, cornbread is considered cake. However, Kent assured us that the warm brownie with a molten-chocolate center and vanilla ice cream that I had been eyeing on the menu was delicious, so we ordered it. Man-o-man, let me tell you - that was a taste from home! Jonathan and I looked at each other and said, "Never did I think I would be so thankful for something resembling the Molten Chocolate Cake at Applebees!"

It's crazy how you will start to miss silly things that you never thought you would even think of.


I'm a little out-numbered

On Saturday, we met Kent and Raquel (the other person from Spain who is doing a sabbatical in Brazil) in Campinas and headed to Pedreira, a small town on the outskirts of the city. This little town was really neat; there was a main street lined with different types of stores selling antiques, pottery, furniture, etc.



Jonathan and Kent in a small food store

Keep in mind, cachaca is the most well-known and popular sugar cane spirit in Brazil. So, I shouldn't have been surprised when we came across the interesting ways you can, um, store and pour it in your home:


Calf head: pour in the head, serve out of the mouth



Not a calf fan? How about a bull?

The bull cachaca holder was pretty funny. You put the cachaca in the 'cart', it funnels through his rump, and then he serves you by peeing in your cup. Pretty crafty, huh? And for the low price of $30, this prized bull could be yours!

When we left the bull shop, we walked past a stash of coconuts for coconut water (in case you didn't know, the water is already in the coconut):


What I wouldn't give to have this in the U.S.!

Before leaving Pedreira, we went to the miniature Christ the Redeemer that overlooks the city. It was a fantastic view:

We left Pedreira and headed to Bar da Praia for lunch. This was probably one of my favorite places that we have eaten so far!





A shrimp dish served in a pumpkin!

We ordered a hodge-podge of dishes and this pumpkin one was my favorite! The dish did not have pumpkin in it, but I thought it was really neat how they served it. The dish itself tasted very similar to food in Louisiana; almost like a shrimp etouffee or shrimp creole, and we ate it over rice. I absolutely love the fact that Brazilians eat rice everyday. I may change my mind, however, when my jeans don't fit in January ;)!

That night, we went to a party at one of Kent's friends' houses. Kent and his family live in a pretty cool area - their condominium is like it's own city! They have many neighbors that are American or English-speaking who have also moved to Brazil for work.

To say the least, we had a really, really good time (especially Jonathan ;) ):

Neither one of us can remember the name of that thing

Peter with the horn in his 'Caipirinha, Made in Brazil' apron

At some point, this huge, wooden horn-looking thing was brought out and each of the guys took their turn trying to blow into it successfully. THEN, the guitar came out. Jonathan started playing and singing, and everyone joined in! It was great to watch:


Jonathan and Kent (left) belting it out!

Before the weekend was over, Kent was sure to remind me of my 'This is the best calamari I've ever had' comment (on our second day in Brazil, Mogi Mirim blog post), to which he had replied, 'That's because it's chicken.' These guys, I swear!

After returning to Uberlandia and recuperating from the weekend, Jonathan was invited by one of the interns at Dow Brazil, Lucas, to play soccer on Friday. Jonathan was seriously so excited about doing this! I was glad that he was getting this opportunity, but I was also terrified because neither one of us have been engaging in physical activity near the capacity he would need to be in shape for soccer. And when I say 'near the capacity', I mean we haven't worked out. At all. In like a year. From the beginning, I had myself convinced that he was going to get hurt, but he didn't :).


Lucas and Jonathan: Sorry ladies, they are both taken ;)

Lucas is unbelievably talented at soccer. He was going to try to play professionally, but he decided that it was more important for him to study and receive an upper-level education. Sounds a good bit like the U.S. to me!

Once the game got started, Jonathan played really well. It was his first time at playing soccer, so I think he even shocked himself ;).

The guy to the left kicked the ball, which bounced off the guy to the right. All the while, Jonathan is sprinting!

About 20 minutes of him going all out during the match, I looked at Jonathan and asked, "How are you doing? Are you O.K.? Do you need to rest?"

Of course, I get the macho 'I'm good' response and this face:

O.K. fine, keep going.



CROTCH SHOT!

Apparently, the above shot didn't phase him, because he kept going. We are now 35 minutes into the match. And I'm not kidding, the man was running and running and jumping and running. Then he would stop. Hands on hips. More running and jumping and jumping and running. Stop. Hands on hips. And THEN, the rain hit:

Do you think that stopped him? No way! Not J. Huff.

Jonathan is airborne, second from left with the ball behind him.

Seriously, I have to zoom in on that face. It's too good for you to miss:


Can you see it? He he he he

Forty-five minutes into the match, and he is still going:


I'm not even sure how his body bent like that!

  

Going for the score!!!

 After going nonstop for one hour and five minutes, my husband was pooped. And rightfully so!!

Needless to say, three Advil were taken before bed, and walking was a bit difficult for the next two days.