FORTALEZA - Population 3 million, Portugese. Has some of the longest coastlines and nicest beaches in Brazil. We did a city tour and visited the Metropolitan Cathedral - the 3rd largest church in Brazil. It can accommodate over 5000. It has many beautiful stained glass windows and, although it appears older, has only been around for 40 years. It did take 40 years to build.
We visited the Jose De alencer Theater. Opened in 1910 and across from a very busy, dangerous square that we were warned not to visit. Next stop was Central Market with over 500 small stores with local handicrafts on 3 floors. - t-shirts, caps, leather goods - typical flea market atmosphere.
There is a lot a garbage in the streets. Garbage is picked up a few days each week but it's just thrown in the streets between pickups. Most buildings are covered in graffiti. Poverty seems to be at an all time high - 8% unemployment.
Out tour guide said the area was under a terrible drought, but we brought relief as we have done for all our stops.
Our final stop was at a pier along the beach. This spot is very popular - people were walking, jogging, biking and sunning. Across the road are many high rise condos and hotels. In the newer condos a small 2 bedroom condo goes for around $400,000. Most people live in condos - we did not see any single family homes.
We went to a wine pairing dinner in Sabatinni. Six courses - smoked duck, octopus, risotto, veal osso buco, tagliata di manzo (sliced steak), and lemon cake - each served with a fine red wine (except dessert which was accompanied by limoncello). It was this ships first attempt at a wine dinner and was very good. They are awaiting feedback before deciding if this will become a tradition.
TUESDAY - Finally a day with no rain. There was a pub lunch in one of the specialty restaurants so we just had a light breakfast and did lunch. Runway at Sea was in the afternoon - about 20 people paraded on the stage in the Explorer Lounge, wearing clothes from the shops and escorted by the Captain and some of his senior staff. This captain is more involved in everyday ship life than most. He stops into our breakfast room a couple times a week to chat with the eaters, was interviewed by the cruise director at Coffee with the Captain and is seen all over the ship. His wife and son are with him on this cruise.
A very talented violinist entertained us in the theatre before dinner.
WEDNESDAY - We had our usual morning of exercise and breakfast then went to the movie Snatched with Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer. Good for a laugh.
Tonight there is a cocktail party before the show and dinner. The entertainer was a singer - sang many songs from Les Mis. He will perform again in couple of nights with the violinist.
THURSDAY- A relaxing day as we have a few busy days coming up. There are the usual things we could partake in such as arts & crafts, choir practice, enrichment lectures but we chose to exercise and read a book.
We got a printout from the front desk showing that there are 34 different nationalities in the 2118 passengers aboard- 1272 US, 475 Canadians. The next largest group are Argentians with 97. We understand that about 400 will leave us in Buenos Aires and 500 will take their place.
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