It is 7 pm and I am wondering where the day went.
It started out with a wake up call - a voice I recognized - Miguel who is the Kurotel Hotel Manager who worked the night shift. Lucky him. I was lucky enough to change my return flight from Friday to Sunday which means I will return home on Monday afternoon. Just enough time in the week to complete my assignment for Tulare Hospital. I was invited to stay a few extra days and so why not? Who could resist. And since the stars seemed to align - I did. Yahoo.
It took me about 30 minutes to accomplish this feat. So that means I was running late. I skipped breakfast and was one of two guests who were bused to the Lago Negro with a personal trainer for walking. At 8 am it was chilly and there was a small fog rolling off the lake - very pretty - and the morning sun and dew made it an especially pretty walk. Thankfully there were no hills, inclines etc. The lake is a tourist area - but not in an overutlized type of way. There are paddle boats for rent either in the shape of pirate boats or swans, a restaurant and the rest is nature with geese and ducks and huge hyderangea bushes which in season, must be spectacular. Hyderanga - ortenzia in Portuguese - is the flower of Gramado.
After an hour's walk at a moderate level - I was ready for breakfast. Everyone started their schedules so I ate alone but not for long because I wanted to make it to the dance class which started at 9. (the walk was from 8-9). So I enjoyed my two pieces of bread, 3rd of papaya and 2 cups of coffee - in fact, snapped a photo to show you all what breakfast looks like...and off to check out Fernando which the earlier group that had left last Sunday raved about. I technically, am not suppose to participate because of my back, but I know my limits and was allowed and encouraged to go. When I arrived, I got a big welcome from the small group and I loved every minute of the class. Latin American music - and when the Gypsy Kings came on - I practically didn't miss a step. It was great - no hip or back motion, no twisting, just foot work - easy repetitive steps - that I could easily do. Pick up the temp and after 30 minutes - I had worked up a sweat. Fernando wore itsy bitsy lycra shorts and a tank top and is a real character that everybody loves because of his enthusiasm. He was so pleased when I told him I loved the class. I am glad I went and pushed myself to go.
Next - 30 25 minutes on the treadmill. You know how that goes. Next a snack which was a fruit smoothie made for "constipado" which I experienced yesterday. The nutritionist said I would receive this every day. I had been excited to weigh in this morning but was the same weight. By the way, the nurse last night when I tried relaying my problem didn't speak English and was trying to rouse a translator at 9 pm. No thanks...I asked to use the internet at her desk and found a great site where you put in the sentence and hit a button- and presto! Instant translation. She communicated the same way back.
I told you already about fango and the relaxation treatment called the Navigator - those were next on the schedule - then lunch. Lunch was nice because I have 2 English speaking Brazilians who have started to join my table. I don't sit at the private tables for 2 but rather sit as the large table so who ever would like to join me can...this promotes conversation which is great. So we talked about herbs, food, lifestyles, Brazil, etc. And before I knew it - time to move again. I swam for 30 minutes then had a water treatment which was canceled because of technical problems - major ones - that meant they had to break through tile to get to the pipes in the area of the fitness center adjacent to the pool. Hmmm. now what? So back downstairs. I now know to ask for Joice Marianne who give an excellent massage - top to bottom, back to front. I will have to ask if the massage strokes are "Kur" technique...long strokes and there is always the same pattern. Mid back, low back to upper back, slide one foot out of the sheets, foot, toes and ankle, stroke upwards from calf to thigh, up to gluts, next leg, turnover, arms, stomach, above chest, neck and shoulders, head, earlobes, face and forehead.
Anyhow...on to a test in which your fat is measured by a new piece of Xray technology manufactured by GE - Kurotel and the hospital in Sao Paulo were the only 2 facilities to have this available in Brazil- if I understood correctly. Then on to a psychology consult - that came as a surprise. Apparently everyone receives on and is asked - why are you here and what would you like to achieve? With the goal being lifestyle or perception changes that you can take home out of this lovely protected environment in order to live a healthier life. I thought this was great time to discuss my back and how I have had a tough time adjusting to limitations. It should be interesting. I think I might have a follow up appointment tomorrow or the next day.
Now is dinner time - dinner is from 7-9. I don't mind eating at 8 pm since the lecture tonight is in Portuguese and I won't understand it. So the staff translated the lecture for me and invited me to talk to the guest lecturers or write down any questions and they would be happy to have them answered.
What else? I met the COO of the facility today - and the Director of the Health Clinic - and ran into the owner today yesterday and today - both times in my bathrobe. She was really eager to show me the wedding book of her daughter knowing how impressed I was with the family farm. She said she'd like to join the meeting tomorrow - which is very positive - since I had been told it would be the COO , my international contact, and her daughter.
Well - now I am really hungry. I worked out 2.5 hours today -in addition to al lthe back and forth and up and down staircases to get to the pampering and relaxation appointments
It started out with a wake up call - a voice I recognized - Miguel who is the Kurotel Hotel Manager who worked the night shift. Lucky him. I was lucky enough to change my return flight from Friday to Sunday which means I will return home on Monday afternoon. Just enough time in the week to complete my assignment for Tulare Hospital. I was invited to stay a few extra days and so why not? Who could resist. And since the stars seemed to align - I did. Yahoo.
It took me about 30 minutes to accomplish this feat. So that means I was running late. I skipped breakfast and was one of two guests who were bused to the Lago Negro with a personal trainer for walking. At 8 am it was chilly and there was a small fog rolling off the lake - very pretty - and the morning sun and dew made it an especially pretty walk. Thankfully there were no hills, inclines etc. The lake is a tourist area - but not in an overutlized type of way. There are paddle boats for rent either in the shape of pirate boats or swans, a restaurant and the rest is nature with geese and ducks and huge hyderangea bushes which in season, must be spectacular. Hyderanga - ortenzia in Portuguese - is the flower of Gramado.
After an hour's walk at a moderate level - I was ready for breakfast. Everyone started their schedules so I ate alone but not for long because I wanted to make it to the dance class which started at 9. (the walk was from 8-9). So I enjoyed my two pieces of bread, 3rd of papaya and 2 cups of coffee - in fact, snapped a photo to show you all what breakfast looks like...and off to check out Fernando which the earlier group that had left last Sunday raved about. I technically, am not suppose to participate because of my back, but I know my limits and was allowed and encouraged to go. When I arrived, I got a big welcome from the small group and I loved every minute of the class. Latin American music - and when the Gypsy Kings came on - I practically didn't miss a step. It was great - no hip or back motion, no twisting, just foot work - easy repetitive steps - that I could easily do. Pick up the temp and after 30 minutes - I had worked up a sweat. Fernando wore itsy bitsy lycra shorts and a tank top and is a real character that everybody loves because of his enthusiasm. He was so pleased when I told him I loved the class. I am glad I went and pushed myself to go.
Next - 30 25 minutes on the treadmill. You know how that goes. Next a snack which was a fruit smoothie made for "constipado" which I experienced yesterday. The nutritionist said I would receive this every day. I had been excited to weigh in this morning but was the same weight. By the way, the nurse last night when I tried relaying my problem didn't speak English and was trying to rouse a translator at 9 pm. No thanks...I asked to use the internet at her desk and found a great site where you put in the sentence and hit a button- and presto! Instant translation. She communicated the same way back.
I told you already about fango and the relaxation treatment called the Navigator - those were next on the schedule - then lunch. Lunch was nice because I have 2 English speaking Brazilians who have started to join my table. I don't sit at the private tables for 2 but rather sit as the large table so who ever would like to join me can...this promotes conversation which is great. So we talked about herbs, food, lifestyles, Brazil, etc. And before I knew it - time to move again. I swam for 30 minutes then had a water treatment which was canceled because of technical problems - major ones - that meant they had to break through tile to get to the pipes in the area of the fitness center adjacent to the pool. Hmmm. now what? So back downstairs. I now know to ask for Joice Marianne who give an excellent massage - top to bottom, back to front. I will have to ask if the massage strokes are "Kur" technique...long strokes and there is always the same pattern. Mid back, low back to upper back, slide one foot out of the sheets, foot, toes and ankle, stroke upwards from calf to thigh, up to gluts, next leg, turnover, arms, stomach, above chest, neck and shoulders, head, earlobes, face and forehead.
Anyhow...on to a test in which your fat is measured by a new piece of Xray technology manufactured by GE - Kurotel and the hospital in Sao Paulo were the only 2 facilities to have this available in Brazil- if I understood correctly. Then on to a psychology consult - that came as a surprise. Apparently everyone receives on and is asked - why are you here and what would you like to achieve? With the goal being lifestyle or perception changes that you can take home out of this lovely protected environment in order to live a healthier life. I thought this was great time to discuss my back and how I have had a tough time adjusting to limitations. It should be interesting. I think I might have a follow up appointment tomorrow or the next day.
Now is dinner time - dinner is from 7-9. I don't mind eating at 8 pm since the lecture tonight is in Portuguese and I won't understand it. So the staff translated the lecture for me and invited me to talk to the guest lecturers or write down any questions and they would be happy to have them answered.
What else? I met the COO of the facility today - and the Director of the Health Clinic - and ran into the owner today yesterday and today - both times in my bathrobe. She was really eager to show me the wedding book of her daughter knowing how impressed I was with the family farm. She said she'd like to join the meeting tomorrow - which is very positive - since I had been told it would be the COO , my international contact, and her daughter.
Well - now I am really hungry. I worked out 2.5 hours today -in addition to al lthe back and forth and up and down staircases to get to the pampering and relaxation appointments
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