beautiful place to dine

This restaurant is about 25 to 50 minutes north of the MTC here in Sao Paulo, depending on the traffic. There are large forested areas all around this location. Many years ago this was a large plantation where the land owners grew many differnent kind of crops including coffee. We decided to go for lunch on a Friday afternoon because the traffic would be so much lighter than after work on a Friday. This sign says that they serve breakfast on Sarurdays and Sundays and holidays.To make it feel more like P-day, President Woodward and I took our ties off. Although we love our work, it is both relaxing and refreshing to get away for a few hours each week.

There were several shops located around the restaurant, all of which have the flavor of a bygone era. The owners have tried to maintain the same constuction materials and style of constuction as were used 50 t0 100 years ago. Many of these buildings are that old or older. There are probably a dozen or so shops in use or in the process of being remodeled. Here Jerry poses in one that makes customized windows.
We were serenaded by a caipira (hillbilly/country and western) duet who were quite good. We bought a CD from them which they autographed. We got there before the lunch crowds arrived and were practically the only ones there, so we got most of their attenion. They must have sung a half dozen songs to us while we ate.
A Flower shop. I don't thinks I could name more than 10% of the flowers we saw. But the wife of the director of the MTC here, Sister Franceconi ,could name them all.
This is a shot looking out to the street from within the little complex which was completedly paved with parallelapipidos (cobble stones)
Pottery and statuary were available in this store which had a wide variety of items for sale including this large replica of the "Cristo Redentor" which stands on a huge rock mountain over looking the city of Rio de Janeiro. This is the Brazilian equivalent of the Statue of Liberty in the USA.

A worker making another part of the restaurant ready for the evening customers.

We weren't sure if this area was for quests or if they were selling picnic tables.
This was a huge oven they were using as a warming table. This was an all-you-eat affair which is really dangerous for those who are trying to maintain or lose weight. The lunch cost about $12.00 per person.

They were burning wood inside this oven and some of the pots were simmering. The food was exceptional and I think quite authentic. If anyone of you decides to come down for a visit, we will bring you to this place for a real Brazilian dinner. More of the food presented in a very appetizing way which really "gladdened the eye". This blog may lead you to believe that all we do is play and eat. This would be mostly wrong. But we only take pictures on our weekly outings. But we love both the work and the chance to get acquainted the culture and the people. Ate mais (Until next time)

Vernon & Jerry/Mom & Dad/ Grandma & Grandpa