Shelly, Suzi and Susan ("S3") found a grinning Fernando outside of customs in Sao Paulo this morning... only a couple hours late. (We do not recommend Abilene as a tour destination this time of year.) S3, Fernando and the Bastians-just back from Iguana (sp?) Falls in Argentina boarded our private coach on the way to Sao Roque. Beautiful 75-degree weather, despite the arctic chill the rest of the team experienced the night before.
We dropped our bags at quaint, clean, well-appointed hotel and rushed to make the last half of the boys second tournament game. The tournament was hosted by one of several "soccer/recreation clubs" in the area. The boys lost by 1 to Xinho's brother's team in the morning game, and were starting the second half of the afternoon game against our Brazilian boys when we arrived. The crowd was very large (60 people-ish) of families of both teams. Sereta coached the Brazilian and Xinho was at the helm for EFC. We were down 0-2, when Bradley brought it down and dished off to Josh for a GOOOAAAALLL! Then Brendan crossed to Jack who shot (it was a little more scrambled than this sounds :) and Kian was there to secure the goal. 2-2. Game went to PK's and EFC WON PK's 3-2!!! Way to operate under extreme pressure Blake, saving two PK's - in front of a town of cheering local fans.
After the tournament, the club hosted a large BBQ of (surprise!) large hunks of freshly BBQ'd meat, sausage,bread and salsa! Yum!!! Many of our Brazilian kiddos were there, too. At the end, there was an big award ceremony, EFC came in third, and the boys received an individual medal and a LARGE trophy for their play awarded by the president of the club. We have great photos (which again we can't upload... user error?)
We also met Xinho's brother and father after the game. (Mineko spent the afternoon hanging with her newly-acquainted mother-in-law.) They are as charming as he. The boys are continuing to blog nightly, based on alphabetical order. Ben's was a day late due to a late arrival back to the hotel last night after the Welcome Party at Gabrielo's house on a hill last night. We missed it, but all the families were there. This has been a fabulous trip for our sons so far...
Sao Roque is celebrating is 463rd birthday of its patron saint on August 18th... there are a lot of colorful festival traditions going on in the town while we are here. We can hear the fireworks in the distance as we type.
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