Saturday, February 4, 2006

They zip to the peak, and then soar at least fifteen feet beyond the wave, glide like feathers back to the sea and then continue their trajectory along the coast. Never seeing anything like this before I wadded up the coastline with great curiosity to get a better look – and hopefully learn how I could do it, too. I encountered two surfers finishing their runs just as I arrived along the shoreline. They stood on top of boards similar to wakeboards, but bigger. A harness anchored their bodies - fitted in wetsuits - to a large parachute some 30-feet high. The Campeche beach is a windy place, and this was obvious as the Para-Surfers wrestled with the wind to get their parachutes to the sand. From my observations, these men had come with their own equipment, and unfortunately, I didn’t see anywhere to rent a board and ‘chute. But if I ever do, you can bet I plan on giving it a try. (the picture was taken from google images)

So Dave and I didn’t make it to the Naufragos beach like we had planned (we left too late, since to get to this beach we’d have to walk an hour and a half trail), but instead went to the Campeche beach – it was a nice beach, with an island less than a mile off the water's edge providing a peaceful sight. Following the beach south, a peninsula of two mountains scenically protrudes from the water. The waves were a mere four or five feet, but the water and the wind were refreshing.

Before leaving for the beach we stopped by our ERS office to call the institute director, Irmão Perrotti, who had just gotten home from a trip. He didn’t answer, but later that night I called and was able to talk w/ him. He was excited to mark a time w/ us to come by the institute and talk with him. We need to schedule when we can teach the CASP (Career Workshop) course to the institute participants who want help from the Perpetual Education Fund.

Yesterday we created a flier to advertise for an upcoming course here in São José.


Dave thought there was a dance at the church at, so we got dressed up and went (I went for moral support… well, Dave didn’t need any support, it’s more like, I went with him so he could give me moral support. Dave’s on a few BYU dance teams, so he knows what he’s doing… me?? Ha…). But there was no dance, there at least.

Spanish soccer was on ESPN. Real Madrid played Espanola and won three to nothing. Anyone who keeps up w/ Spanish soccer knows that more than half of the stars on this team are Brazilian, so they have quite a big following here.

Scott and Amber? Are you guys okay? Have you had your baby girl yet? I asked my friend to call Brent and ask him to get online ‘cause I wanted some updates on your situation. Unfortunately, he was on his way to a wedding and couldn’t get on, but I guess he didn’t know any more than I did.