 Great weekend in Belo Horizonte |
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Great weekend in Belo Horizonte
South America » Brazil » Minas Gerais » Belo Horizonte
September 19th 2009 by TED46, Brazil 2009
Minas Tenis Clube
Jackie and her new hat....and face. She is not to be in the sun for three months so she is doing great job protecting herself.
Wow, we had a great weekend. I have lots to report and pictures to share.
On Saturday we took a taxi to Minas Tenis about 9:30am. We thought that would be early enough to find nice a place to set up for a few hours with lawn chairs, table and umbrella. Wrong! On the weekends, you really need to arrive about one hour earlier to claim a spot. That‘s something that we knew before but forgot. Tomorrow when we go we’ll get there earlier. The club is spectacular. It has over 20,000 members and four locations. The club that we attend is Minas 1, the oldest and finest in my opinion, particularly with the new building. It is more about leisure than tennis, however.
We stayed for a couple of hours and then returned to Maria’s for lunch. It is traditional to have feijoada on Saturday with family and friends. The meal has four main parts: rice, black beans cooked in a pot with various meats and vegetables, and couve (a type of green vegetable) and orange slices. Jackie plans to try to cook it when we return. One thing for certain, it will fill you for the day. It is the custom to take a nap soon after eating this dish. That’s why it is served mainly on the weekends. And after a nice visit with Maria, Gilberto, Ester, Augusto and their good friend, Edsel, we returned to the hotel and took a nap.
That evening, Maria and Gilberto drove us up the ridge to see the night lights of Belo. While there, we decided to visit a museum where two famous artists were on display: Rodin and Marc Chagall. This was a great, unexpected highlight of the day. What was unique about the Rodin work was how it was displayed. He was a renowned sculptor who lived from 1840-1917. He was one of the first ever to use photography in his work. He marked on the photos in pen and ink changes that he considered for the sculpture that he was working on. The photos are now part of the art and are considered priceless.
On Sunday, we returned for a long day at Minas Tenis. Once there I went to the spa to sign up for a massage, one of my best memories of the club. They were having a promotion with the massage and
Minas Tenis Clube
Old and young...everyone comes for a swim...Remember it is still winter here. Spring starts this week.
Jackie was there in her new hat, which costs $6BRL or about $4, which protects her from the sun. She stayed in the shade and covered the entire time. The doctor told her to avoid sun for three months.
After Minas, we returned to the hotel for yet another nap. Later Maria picked us up for a trip up the mountain ridge again for a sunset view of the city. It is stunning how large the city is and how beautiful from the top. After that she drove us to her office at Vale, where she works. They have great views at their headquarters building there, too.
To finish the day we met Gilberto at their condo and walked to Restaurant Piu to have dinner. The weather here is so perfect for outdoor dining. It was about 75 degrees with a light breeze and low humidity. We had
Minas Tenis Clube
The club is surrounded by high rise condo and office buildings. It is like an island paradise.
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September 22nd 2009 - Rich and Andrea: We miss you guys
Looks like you are having a great time. It has been raining her non stop I think since you left. I am sure you are probably hearing about it. Jackie looks great! We can't wait to try the signature drink!
September 22nd 2009 - sister patty: Ah, the life
I enjoy being taken on your vacation with you and Jackie every day. It's not quite the same as being there...but, nice anyway. Thanks!
xox P.
September 22nd 2009 - sister Patty: Rodin
I forgot to mention that Lisa and I visited the Rodin museum while we were in Paris. It was a big treat. Remember "The Kiss"?? They had it here for an exhibition at the High Museum several years back. It was cool to see it, the Thinker and many other Rodin pieces in their HOME.
xox P.
September 22nd 2009 - Jack and Debbie: Living the good life.
It sure looks like you guys are living the good life. Who is that teenager with the hat?
Jack and Debbie
Yep, there is more than one way to get a trophy wife. This is the cheaper way.
Yes, they had the Kiss on display. I wanted to photograph but they wouldn't allow. Glad you are enjoying the trip. I'm sending more photos than before since I don't have much else to say.
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Minas Tenis Clube
We were surprised when we lived here how open the women were about their bodies when pregnant. Here's an example.
Minas Tenis Clube
Having hired help makes life easy in Brazil. Most families have both a nanny and maids. At the pool you will see many of the nannies caring for the kids while mom rests in the sun.
Minas Tenis Clube
The word for house worker is empregada. Most dress in white and tend to the children as you see here.
Maria at home
We left Minas and took a taxi to Maria's for lunch. Here is a relaxed brasileira em casa.
Maria and Augusto Matta Machado
If you are a woman, under 40 and single, watch out for Augusto. He is a fox hound. Or should I say under 30!
Family and Friends
This is brother Augusto, Gilberto, Maria and their close friend, Edsel at Maria's for feijoada.
Traditional lunch in Brazil
Here is lunch. rice, greens, and black bean stew or known here as feijoada.
Vera the Chef
She is the sister of Gloria who was our empregada when we lived here. She is a good cook and nice person.
Lunch is served
Here is the beautiful setting. Boy was it fillling. We did not get hungry again until about 8:00pm.
Ester Pimenta
Ester is getting ready for a night out at outdoor concert. She and her friends will be wearing these tee shirts. It reminds us of the shirts we wore in Bahia for Carnival.
Rodin Sculpture
Here we are in front of a famous bronze scupture by Rodin. We were not allowed to take more photos inside the museum so this is it.
Coconut water
After the museum we drove over to Plaza of the Pope. It has great view of the vast city at night. None of my photos worked. So, Jackie took this of me with one of my favorites things.
Part of trip: Brazil 2009
6 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
September 22nd 2009 - Rich and Andrea: We miss you guys
Looks like you are having a great time. It has been raining her non stop I think since you left. I am sure you are probably hearing about it. Jackie looks great! We can't wait to try the signature drink!
September 22nd 2009 - sister patty: Ah, the life
I enjoy being taken on your vacation with you and Jackie every day. It's not quite the same as being there...but, nice anyway. Thanks!
xox P.
September 22nd 2009 - sister Patty: Rodin
I forgot to mention that Lisa and I visited the Rodin museum while we were in Paris. It was a big treat. Remember "The Kiss"?? They had it here for an exhibition at the High Museum several years back. It was cool to see it, the Thinker and many other Rodin pieces in their HOME.
xox P.
September 22nd 2009 - Jack and Debbie: Living the good life.
It sure looks like you guys are living the good life. Who is that teenager with the hat?
Jack and Debbie
Yep, there is more than one way to get a trophy wife. This is the cheaper way.
Yes, they had the Kiss on display. I wanted to photograph but they wouldn't allow. Glad you are enjoying the trip. I'm sending more photos than before since I don't have much else to say.
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