Fala Português?

The Forum is officially underway, and I'm almost overwhelmed just thinking about the last two days. I've met people from Germany, Zambia, Chile and Vietnam, and that was just today.
The morning began with a plan that was an at least doable if not wholly attainable schedule for the day. Matie, Jill, and I met Lowell at his hotel, and narrowly slipped onto the bus to Guama/UFPA, and that alone was a feat since Belem’s buses are like diesel powered torpedoes unleashed on this jungle/city. Arriving at entrance A1 was an experience in itself since the map, includes several “A’s”, but no A1’s. Lowell and I parted ways with Maite and Jill in search of a lecture titled “The Real World Social Forum.”
This among other endeavors of the morning did not quite pan out as planned, but like the heat, the morning’s discontent was broken by the eternally punctual rain.
This afternoon produced a tropical potpourri of discussion, idea exchange and learning. The most productive workshop I attended centered around corporate social responsibility, global alliances of labor, and international collective bargaining policies. An overzealous worker from one of Argentina’s most active unions presented an onslaught of proposals, ideas and anecdotes from his work, and a student from the university here in Brazil questioned the responsibilities of multinationals and foreign investors in developing countries.
I’m looking forward to a Friday filled with abacxi, downpours and knowledge up for grabs!
Another day, another experience and I couldn’t be happier.

p.s. abacaxi may be pineapple or avocado juice depending on your accent- tonight I got avocado.