Day 2 - Living in airports

The weather is humid but pleasant in Sao Paulo, approximately 25C. After flying past the downtown section to the runways it reminded us of LA or New York, the skyscrapers never end!

After clearing customs and checking into our 3^rd plane in 2 days the group had 4 hours to kill.

Tom Hanks plays in a movie called the Terminal in which he is forced to live an airline terminal for months. We are not there yet but after seeing everyone trying to brush their teeth and feel a little cleaner in the crowded airport washrooms, we could have used some tips from him I think!

Some of the group immediately tried some Brazilian coffee and quite enjoyed the experience, although don’t expect the “Mocha Grande” you’re used to in North America, these were only slightly larger than shooter glasses!

Most of the group finally made their way to a small restaurant and pub for a small lunch and some local beer. The waiter Andre was quite a character and a very good salesman. There were no drawn faces from the flight after an hour with him but maybe a few flushed cheeks from the cold beverages.

Our group definitely gets a lot of attention. I don’t know if it’s our ravishing good looks, our sheer mass of bodies moving into each ticket line and security check or our pale, white skin from a long and cold Saskatchewan winter, but whatever the reason, we give many people a chance to stare. It may be wise for the next year’s class, wherever they go, to get traffic controllers in the terminals to keep the people moving!

Before check-in to the plane we had a great conversation with some fellow travelers and had a very engaging conversation with some people from Ireland living and working in San Francisco and Indiana. People are always amazed that a group of 25 business people completing an MBA are in Brazil to study business practices in another part of the world. But hey, after last semester, we all needed a chance to get out of the classroom!

The bus ride to the plane was good and bad. Bad because we were jammed into the buses like Sardines and I feel sorry for who ever had to stand next to me after 2 days

in the same suit and shirt. Good because it was only a few minutes to the other tarmac!

When the plane arrived it was very hot but we were just glad to be off the planes and almost to the hotel.

During the bus ride the to hotel our guide explained some of the details of the falls and the area.

After everyone was checked to their rooms and had a chance to relax, shower and go down to the pool or do some exploring around the resort, we met for a drink and a great buffet dinner.

Actually while this is being written I am watching the only English channel on TV which happens to be JAWS. That is a great movie to watch right before heading to Rio on the coast of the Atlantic!