Museu do Estado de Pernambuco

One fine day after classes, we decided to take a field trip to the Museu do Estado de Pernambuco. While there we had a guide that would go through and explain each of the different pieces of artwork that we saw and I would write about what he said but to be quite honest I could barely understand him because he spoke so fast and had such a thick accent. What I did learn based on my observations is how the African culture influenced Brazil. He also talked about how the African culture and religion sometimes is viewed is a negative thing. Then he talked a bit about the Indian culture in Brazil as well. I would have taken pictures of the art but it was not allowed unfortunately. Here are pictures of the surroundings as well the building itself.

US Ambassador Visit

The school ABA that we are taking classes at during our stay here in Recife, was honored by the presence of the US Ambassador for Brazil. While he was there, he officially inauguarated the school by presenting a plaque that hangs in the conference room of the new ABA building. He then spoke to us about the importance of keeping a strong relationship between Brazil and the US. As Brazil continues to grow as an economic power in the world, there will be growing opportunities to be working with the two countries as there bond continues to grow.

Mercardo da Encruzilhada

In Recife one of the most famous markets is the Mercardo da Encruzilhada. It was built in 1949 and officially opened the following year in 1950. There you can find all different assortments of fruits, juices, meats and any other household object that you would think of. Inside are also a few little restruarants where you can sit down and enjoy a good meal that come from fresh the stands where most of the products are bought from. Markets like this are pretty typical here in Brazil and it's interesting to see all the different things that they manage to sell. They sell countless types of fruits and I got to try some new ones, but overall I would say they have around 30 different types.

Instituto Brennand

We had the opportunity to visit probably the most famous exhibits here in the Northeast known as the Instituto Brennand. The history behind it is that one of the most wealthy Brazilians had a collectable pocket-knife that he recieved when he was a child. Since then, he had collected more and more things such as giant textiles, famous art collections, midieval pocket-knifes, statues and other structures and works of art that were created during that time frame. The exhibit itself lies within this castle with all these huge rooms and what I liked most about it was that it was all condensed and they didn't waste my time or their space by spreading everything out like most museums do. It's by far the best one that I've ever been to, and that includes the one in New York.

Sao Joao

In Brazil during the month of June, because of the strong dominance of the Catholic Church they spend most nights lighting off fireworks, dressing up all festive like, and dancing the night away with live Brazilian performers. Several years ago, they would have these dances and it was "for all" but because Brazilians couldn't say it it developed into the name "Forro" which became a style of Brazilian dances which is common among this time of year during Sao Joao. We had the opportunity to go to this big celebration thanks to Fernanda where we had our own booth and got to watch things from a distance which made it safer for us. Everyone during the festivities had a blast!

Day After Day

Life here in Recife is interesting. We came from living in this huge house to this little apartment thats probably the size of my room only its equiped with a bathroom and small little kitchen which is one of the two rooms that we have. We spend the majority of the day either at the school ABA where we take classes, the beach, walking to and fro from places seeing who knows what along the ways and eating. Family bonding has been prime and I definitely wouldn't trade it for the world especially since it's one last thing I get to do as a family right before my mission.

Recife Temple

We were priviledged to have a temple here in Recife that was remotely close which allowed us to be able to go through the temple. All those who were endowed went through a session, while those of us who weren't did baptisms for the dead. It was Danilo's first time through the temple and so it was extremely special to be able to go through it with him and see him do everything for the first time. After we were all done, President Williams came and spoke to us and gave us some very beautiful words. It was such an amazing experience to go to the temple here, and one I will never forget!