End of Week Two, Beginning of Week 3 (Saturday-Wednesday): The students enjoyed the weekend with their host families. We met as a group Sunday night after everyone returned to the hotel to share their weekend experiences. Students did anything from going to a “prom” which is our graduation party, disco dancing, further exploration of the Piracicaba River, trekking, shopping, bicycling, seeing the sites of Sao Pedro, family barbecues, taking a boat ride down the river, visiting places of employment of the host families, etc. The general consensus was that family and food are very important to Brazilians.

Monday we were in class all day with Prof. Fernando Perez. We were able to meet a leadership group from North Carolina State University who sat in on one of our lectures. They are in Brazil for two weeks observing agriculture. The group included farmers representing several agriculture commodity groups, extension agents and business leaders. Students are interested in Prof Perez’s topics and we ended the day with a debate on whether Brazil should have been expected to pay back the money they borrowed in the 1980’s when they tried to take advantage of the economy. “Debate” with this group can be an intense word. For some it gets their adrenalin moving. We all went to supper together and returned to the hotel early.

Tuesday was our community service day. As part of MUCCAP's Housing Project we painted two houses and moved dirt and clay for a third. We divided into two groups to paint the two houses and then some of the guys were pulled out late in the morning to move the dirt and clay for the third house. They were able to soak up the sun but most of them added way to much color to their bodies if you know what I mean. We thank the guys for their contribution of pure physical labor to the effort. The houses looked nice and everyone was tired but fulfilled at the end of the day. The group I was in sang songs the whole day. It was amazing the variation and amount of songs we covered. Anything from country to oldies, to Disney. I am not sure what the Portuguese people thought of it but the entertainment was fun. The house has been built for a 52 year old women who lost her son last year and is now raising her grandson. The family and MUCCAP are very appreciative of our effort.

Today (Wednesday) we are back in class. We leave in the morning for a trip to Sao Paulo for four days which should be both educational and fun.