Next Stop...

São Paulo, Brazil. It was founded by the Jesuits in 1554, on a plateau 2,493 feet above sea level, but only 45 miles from the coast, as a mission center for early settlers and the indians who inhabited the area. Today it is the industrial and financial center of Brasil generating over 30% of the GNP. We are excited to visit there and see it. It's the biggest city in South America!

We're definitely going to see the Statue of the Bandeirantes! They were early explorers that travelled West and North to the Amazon River. Thankfully, Alejandra and Ignacio are going to travel with us on this leg of our trip, as well. And guess what?! Anapaulalana is coming, too! Abdul is whispering something to Fatima right now, and I can tell he's having a hard time with her. Seems she would rather stay here with her hammock... (Unfortunately, the hotel staff confiscated it, and aren't willing to part with it, so we can't take it with us.)

Anyway, I hope we'll be underway soon! I am really enjoying Brazil, it is beautiful, and the weather is AWESOME! It's so good for a Chicken's feathers. Abdul is making some plans in secret, though. I have been wondering what he has up his saddle since we left Texas. Oh well, I guess we'll see when the time comes.

Until then,
Vaya con Dios,
Lupe

Oh, and here's a picture of all of us on the beach in Rio! As you can see, we all got a little carried away with the feathers, but oh what fun we had!