Feliz Natal

First of all, I didn't know that aloe plants had such prominent flowers. Its started with the snake-like protrusions and then all of a sudden they started opening into these flowers. I haven't noticed any scent, but birds and bees love them. After some of the storms we've had you can see red buds all over the grass/roads. We have had quite a few storms. Our storms consist of rain and LOTS of wind. Some wind reaching 50 MPH and higher. Pretty constant too. It's bad enough that you have to hold onto your car doors, because the wind will rip it from your grip and either damage a nearby car or break your door's hinges. Yesterday, I couldn't climb into the car because I had to hold the door with both hands and brace myself with my feet. I'm short enough that I have to climb into the van but I couldn't let me feet leave the asphalt. After a few minutes there was a pause slow enough that I could hop in and hold the door with just one hand.

Anyway, the aloe was Christmas type colors so it counts.



Here's a message from the American kids that attend the Portuguese preschool.

Mt. Brazil slide

So at the highest mountain/volcano there is a "zoo" and a park. At the top park they have this super cool LOOKING slide. Our neighbors that went with us told us it was slow but if we brought waxed paper it would speed it up. I said "Got it! Let's go!" We get up there and I pull out my waxed....uh, oops parchment paper. Apparently, they are two different things. I thought they were the same but that was not correct. So this slide is so unbelievably slow, that it's pretty useless. We'll have to try it with the WAXED paper and see if it's worth the drive.


They had to walk down it. I even tried it thinking that my slick coat would help me slide down. I didn't even budge, pretty sad. Speaking of which, how does one gain weight when there is major lack in the fast food department? I thought that if I cut out BK, Taco Bell, Sonic, McDonald's KFC (alright I need to stop now) I would be nice and healthy maybe even lose weight but that's a big no. Sorry I got a little side tracked.


The slide looks so neat but is a total let down.


Later I'll post pictures from the "zoo" and the lower park. I have to split up pictures since we've pretty much done everything there is to do on the island already. And now that 50 mph winds and rain have set in, there isn't much outside stuff to do. Luckily they are planning a few things on base to do. This Saturday there will be bouncy houses and other stuff, so we don't all get cabin fever. Ah, well!