It's a Small World-Disney classic

One of the main goals of Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) is to make personal connections with teachers in other countries and then build on those connections as we prepare students to be globally competent in the 21st century.  I could spend many more blog posts about what that actually means, but basically the focus of the program is personal, human connections.  With that in mind, it was quite appropriate today when I was in the U.S. Embassy and all of a sudden one of my brother's high school friends walked by!  We caught up for a minute and none of us could get over how crazy it was to run into him-the world truly is much smaller than you think.

Praca dos Tres Poderes-Three Power Square

Supreme Court

Today was another whirlwind with an early walk in the city park followed by more amazing fruit juices for breakfast.  We left for the U.S. Embassy with a stop on the way at Three Powers Square.  From this square you can see the Supreme Court, National Congress and Executive office (in Brazil the president works in one building and lives in another.)  After checking our passports and going through security, we had a briefing for several hours at the U.S. Embassy.  At the briefing we learned about some of the dangers in Brazil (did you know they have the highest homicide rate of any country in the world? Don't worry mom... :)  We also learned how practical travel tips can prevent you from becoming a target of some of the problems such as mugging, robbery and credit card cloning.  On a more positive note, we also learned about programs dealing with education and efforts that are being made to improve education and global connections between the U.S. and Brazil.   For example, right now Brazil is starting a program to teach 7 million people English before the Olympics.  In order to accomplish this they are sending thousands of teachers and students overseas.  There is also a principal exchange program and an English teacher exchange program.  Another new program is called Science without Borders and it is designed to help teach more Brazilian students to pursue science, math and engineering by sending college students abroad for a year, where they will also learn English.  Sadly I don't have any pictures, because they are not allowed at the Embassy.

so official

Upon our departure, we headed to an area known as Pontao which has several restaurants along a lake.  We had a delicious lunch, where I tried the traditional Brazilian lunch of rice and beans.  Then it was back on the bus as we headed to the Ministry of Education for a presentation about the new teacher training programs going on in Brazil.

traditional Brazilian lunch

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a famous church, Santuario Dom Bosco.  This church was truly breathtaking as sunlight streamed in through the 7,500 pieces of stained glass.  The chandelier in the church weighs 2.5 tons and uses 435 lightbulbs!

At Pontao

Pontao

Where the president lives

Santuario Dom Bosco

435 lightbulbs!!

We stopped at the hotel and ran out for a quick dinner-I finally tried the Pao de Queijo a puffy cheese bread made with tapioca flour (which is gluten free :) they were delicious!

Then it was off to the highlight of the day, we attended and participated in a Brazilian capoeira class.  Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art, much like tae kwon do or jujitsu.  However, in capoeira the participants never actually contact each other, so it is more like a dance.  There are specific instruments used and a long history of the sport/art, you should check out more information.  A local club was gracious enough to let us join, and patient with us as we muddled our way through steps they could complete beautifully.  Almost all of us gave it a try.

More pictures and video to come!