Only two weeks left now... Over the past week we have had our fair share of lectures NGO visits and general exploring of the city and its surroundings. A highlighted NGO was GAPA which works on legal aspects for people living with AIDS. They provide support for the community and help out with legal assistance when ever possible. Next week they have planned a nation wide protest to tell the governement that more ARVs must be made avaliable to those who are sick. Also on the 26th is their 25 year aniversary party which we are all invited to. They will be releasing a book on this date that deals with women and AIDS in Brazil.



Last weekend we went to the beach which is about an hour away. We had origianlly planned to take the bus but one of our host moms decided that she wanted to come so we got to drive there instead. The system that they have on the beaches here is that you can get beach chairs and umbrellas and if you buy drinks then you dont have to pay for the chairs (great system). Apart from the warm water the second best thing about the beaches here is the fresh coconuts that you can buy and drink the water inside, very refreshing.



Tomorrow we are leaveing Sao Paulo for 5 days and heading 5 hours inland to Ituveraba for our rural stay. During the week we are there we are official guests of the mayor and his wife. Also during this time the regional cowboy festival is going on which apparently is a big party that happens for 5 nights staright so this should be fun. Academically we have a very busy schedule during this time, visiting hospitals and meeting with public health workers in the area.

Sooo ahh yeah I will put more info up soon and hopefully it will be more entertaining/informative not really feeling to creative at the moment so live laugh love for now.

Joel