August 9,

We were up by 0700. We had our Javas and breakfast of French toast with various toppings: PB, Nutella, and Raspberry jam – also had some coconut yogurt. Then we connected on a WhatsApp video with my mother and her husband. They are well and had a great day seeing family, including the great-grand babies they had not seen yet. It is still hot back home and sounds like it will be through this coming week – over 100°!

After the call was finished we readied and went out, before it gets too hot here…not as bad as in Kansas, rather in the low 90’s. As we set out our plan was to go back to the nearby park, but we happened upon an event. In fact, the busy three-lane, divided road was closed off! Maybe for a half a mile or so!! Huh? The road was lined with booths of at least four rows. The first bit was food. Too bad we had just eaten! Then it progressed to booths of children’s clothes, then women’s clothes…never saw men’s. But we did see some guys trying to line dance. Anyway, it was around here I noticed the booths’ shade coverings/umbrellas were color-coded and/or striped, seemingly to be what they were selling. Again, Huh? There were a number of people browsing and actually shopping, especially at booths selling pillows. Okay, now I really have questions…why pillows?!? Jeff found information about the event, which seems to be weekly on Sundays from 0700 to 1400. We will be back next Sunday for breakfast!

We left and stopped at a grocery store for our lunch fixin’s. Then hurried back to our place, as we took a bit too long perusing the street event. We linked-up on Zoom with our church in Kansas, participating in the service. Then we made lunch of chicken stuffed raviolis in a lime cream sauce with veggies. We also had some bread and butter with a good red wine. Later, we joined up with my sister on a WhatsApp video. They have been busy at their business, trying to get some jobs completed before the school year starts. Actually she said some will have to be done with school in session. But they are doing well. Then Jeff’s sister texted and they are busy so we will chat with them tomorrow. Supper was popcorn.

     August 10,

We were around the normal time, and readied…loving the shower. Amazing the things I take for granted. We have so many blessings, but a great shower… Anyway, we had our Javas, oatmeal with toppings, and yogurt. We watched some YouTube, and Jeff did some planning.

At noon we went out for lunch. Jeff had found an American style BBQ place so we headed there. Our first choice was no longer a restaurant- another new condo was being built at the address. Our second choice was two blocks further and it was still there. It was called Ember Meat House. We ordered a Prato Para Dois (Plate For Two) of Smoked Pork Ribs, covered in BBQ sauce and served with rice, fries, and coleslaw. Jeff had a beer and I had a very different pink lemonade. The meal was just what we were craving. The ribs were tender with a good, not-sweet BBQ sauce; the fries were great having seasoned salt and were hot; and the coleslaw was not sweet at all- rather it was salty. Then my pink lemonade was red and not what I’d call lemonade – that was the biggest disappointment. We finished and paid 113.08 BRL, $22.14. Jeff E-hailed us a ride and we went up to a viewpoint, Mirante do Mangabeiras. There was a tourist bus up here. We were at 3,860 ft of elevation and had sweeping views of the city below. It was here we really could see how big Belo Horizonte and its metro was! We took it in and left, choosing to walk the 2.6 miles back to our place. We heard and saw a few birds; different flowers; admired many nice houses; and even saw a Brazil-only made Chevy, called a Caravan…it’s a small station wagon of sorts from the 1970’s. We stopped at a new grocery store and arrived back at our place.

We cooled off and showered, only sharing an apple with PB for supper. Then we did a load of laundry, I blogged and Jeff read. Lastly we connected with Jeff’s sister and her husband.