Procession and a soaking!

Today after a little tennis, we attended a Easter March in Porto Alegre where we were introduced to the Mayor of the City. The march up a steep hill, was a re-inactment of the story of Jesus, with various scenes played out on a stage at the begining and then at various points to the top of the hill where the cruficiction is re-inacted.

Jesus being tempted by the devil

Walking up the hill

This time round there was an environmental message - with the Japanese readioactive incident being used to highlight our impact on the planet - and the need to conserve the environment.

After the procession it absolutely bucketed down.... and the march down the hill was much quicker than the march up it! We went through one of the poorer areas of porte alegre, and although we were told to keep hold of valuables - never really felt unsafe - althrough we were kind of in a protected area behind the march with security around us - althrough I think they were mainly looking after the mayor!

Myself and Richard came in like drowned rats but soon were dryed off and shown a slide show of the different areas of Brazil and Porto Alegre. It is amazing the sheer variety of landscapes and also the distances to travel the country - it is about 2 days to Rio from here.

There has been a thunderstorm ever since the march and I am hoping it will clear up by tomorrow so that we can go on the city tour - which only runs if dry as it is an open top bus.

Chow!

During Friday no meat is eaten apart from fish