Day 5 The Life Aquatic

As usual we started the day with a continental breakfast and strong coffee and loaded up for the big day. We then began our 2 mile hike to the docks to get on our boats for the snorkeling and swimming trip. The cobblestone streets, while quaint, tend to take a toll on the heels and ankles. The lower lying streets nearer the water were still wet from high tide. Our two boats were awaiting us and we climbed aboard for our tour. As we pulled out into the bay, the skies cleared and the temperature began to rise. We anchored in a secluded cove and several boys and adults jumped in to start the day. There was a large rock near the beach which the boys took turns jumping off. There was a variety of activities going, sand soccer, Frisbee in the water and the everpresent water fights. The next stop, we anchored near a 12 million dollar mansion along the river and ate lunch and snorkeled. Several boys were startled by the fish they saw. Our final stop had good snorkeling and a beach. The boys found a friendly dog which they played with and they floated on pool noodles in the water as they peered into the depths. We then trekked home and rested for a few hours.

Before the concert, we walked to dinner. Many of the quaint little shops fascinated us with their handmade wares, colorful clothes and ship models. After a dinner of steak and fries, we made our way to the concert hall. Along the way were carts filled with multiple trays of freshly baked chocolate desserts. Though we were tempted, the boys were herded to the church for a pre-concert rehearsal. Beside the church, there was a little boys soccer game going on. It must have been a league game since there was a referee, but it was played on a cement basketball court with goals under the basketball standards. Just like at Sportscore, the boys swarmed the ball and yelled “ A qui, A qui” (over here) to get their teammates attention. The only difference was there appeared to be no team jerseys. We take so much for granted here that it is nice for the boys to see people who make do with less.

Just so you know that everything isn’t always perfect, we have had our share of minor glitches. Tonight was our third in a row with meat and French fries for dinner. Also, the walking in Paraty has taken a toll on some ankles and feet; again no major injuries. Though we have been fairly healthy, we do get the occasional complaint of indigestion or heartburn. Most of that can be attributed to the boys consumption of large amounts of Guarana (Antarctica) a Brazilian soft drink. Milk has been difficult to get ahold of, but thankfully fruit is plentiful and the boys are literally eating it up. It should come as no surprise to parents at home that the most difficult thing to get them to eat is vegetables, but tonight was the first night we had a traditional salad with our meal, which seemed to go over better. A few boys are showing signs of homesickness, but we have a great group of chaperones and friends along who seem to sense this and invite them to eat with them at meals or sit with them on the bus. Rest assured that your boys are in good hands. Also, we have encountered, at last count, 10 different ways to flush a toilet, none of which seem to be all that effective. This has led to pictures as well as calls to the desk and to chaperones to assist them. But this is all part of the experience.

Our concert tonight was at beautiful cathedral in the center of Old Town. The high ceilings make for wonderful acoustics. Changing facilities were quite cramped and hot. Some of the boys wanted to change in the middle of the chapel, but thankfully were directed back to the vestibule. The crowds have not been as large as we would have liked, but as we sang, people wandered in through the open doors of the cathedral. The crowds are an amalgam of young and old, well-dressed and casual, reverent and uncouth. Always present are small klatches of young girls who sit and point at different boys and giggle. Apparently “cuteness” is universal. The concert was highlighted by a party going on outside the church. At one point, Mr. Ross announced Dorothy and there was a large series of fireworks. It seemed to work so well that we may incorporate it into our concerts back home. After the concert, the chaperones scuttled an attempted toga party and the seniors were allowed to stay up and kibbutz. Tomorrow we travel to Petropolis.

Larry Prabhakar