Shopping and Partying!

An early shot before the day took an unexpected and pleasant turn. After many attempts, I eventually found the President of the St Andrews Society of Rio de Janeiro at home; she lives around the block.

After a lovely welcome and coffee in her house joined by her husband, she arranged for me to join them in Barra in the evening at a party hosted by a prominent Brazilian born Scotsman.

It was clearly the social event of the season with the great, good and beautiful of the Scottish and British-connected community present in a splendid, grand house standing in a tropical garden. It was such a contrast to my usual Saturday night here and a great opportunity to not only meet people but also widen my business referral network; to say I was the new kid on the block in terms of years of connection with Brazil would be the understatement of the century!

No expense had been spared with half the lawn being covered by a specially erected structure for the evening to protect us from the intermittent rain, complete with dance floor, candles, canapes and champagne.

Between security staff, parking attendants, and waiters, a team of over twenty had been assembled, all without exception of African descent. Brazil never had it's revolution, sadly.