Brazil 2012: Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil

Friday, July 13:  Our alarm went off at 3:30 this am -- our taxi picked us up at 4:15 and we were off to the airport.  Flights and connections went smoothly -- we arrived in Vitoria at 10:30 am.   Sergio Antonio Mendonca met us at the airport.  Between his car and a taxi we stuffed all our things in -- although it took some work!  It was very nice to bask in the sunshine and warmth of Vitoria -- a delightful 80 degrees (compared to the 50's and 60's of the past two weeks!!).  Our hotel is right on Camburi Beach -- the view is lovely.

We walked to lunch, then afterwards showed the students where the bakery and the sorvieta (ice cream store) was -- RIGHT next to the hotel....there are at least 25-30 flavors....you just scoop what you want and pay by the kilogram. Made some folks pretty happy to have ice cream next door!!
The five students from Santa Maria were all scheduled to arrive at various times this afternoon, but some of the flights were delayed.  So, the afternoon has basically been free -- the hotel has a pool and the beach is lovely for walking (it's not a swimming beach) so everyone seemed perfectly pleased to have a free afternoon!  It has been nice to relax without a demanding schedule.

Friday evening was lovely weather-wise - so balmy and pleasant.  There was a street fair that Marco suggested we attend.  The students were given the option of going or hanging out on the beach, and three decided to go to the street fair.  There were probably 30-40 food booths around the perimeter of a park (in the middle of a large traffic circle) with other arts and crafts booths in the center.  We walked around first, scoping out all the different food options, and then we would buy one of something and split it between the 5 of us -- a fun way to experience different foods...and very tasty!!

Aaron is waiting for a meat kabob

Conrad went all out for coconut candy!!

Marco and Carla Caiado took us to a bar that has Siri and Camarão pasteles (crab and shrimp). There were 14 different fillings for pasteles -- and each one had a different shape so even though they were served all together in one basket, you could tell what each one was by the shape.  They were delicious! It was a really fun evening.

Pasteles and fresh squeezed orange juice -- doesn't get much better!!

Saturday, July 14:  In the morning we met the students from Vitoria that will be joining the class.  We all went to the farmers market -- just to give the students an opportunity to see new foods and get a taste of Saturday am life and culture here in the city. An entire sreet (~1/4 mile) was blocked off and lined on both sides with booths.

Meeting the students from Vitoria at entrance to the Farmer's Market

Most of the booths offered fresh veggies and fruit...

 

 

 

 

...but there were beans, meat, seafood/fish, cheese, spices, and flowers boooths as well.

 The flowers were exquisite!! 

 

The students continued on to see the UFES campus, the Convent (Convento da Penha), and the beach in Villa Vela.  

Convento da Penha

View of Camburi Bay from Convento da Penha

For supper we went to a restaurant to eat a traditional dish of the Espirito Santo region.  "Moqueca" is made of cooked fish and other seafood products with different seasonings, tomatoes, coconut milk and palm oil.  It is eaten over rice and served with a porridge made from fish broth and cassava flour.