Porto Seguro is pretty sweet

Hello world.
My new pousada is about a block from the ocean. But not the beachy ocean, the docky ocean. The beachy ocean is a couple blocks further down. It is really close to the historic center of the city (and thus the touristy area) but removed enough into residential neighborhoods that there is other stuff besides drinking and shopping going on there.

Yesterday night Frances and I made a gigantic calendar (while listening to loud Bon Jovi) out of notebook paper, markers and crayons and posted it on the wall. And then proceeded to be amazed at how little time we actually have here. We also decorated our room with a sweet condom poster and some "Always use condoms" bandanas courtesy of the secretary of health. I think that the housekeeper will think us an interesting couple.

We went to some health seminars directed at the community health agents of Porto Seguro today. The focus was STDs and AIDS and risk factors in the populations they serve. It was very interesting to see the differing levels of knowledge among the community. We had lunch with the program nurse and talked about the shortcomings of our country's health care systems. We were pretty open about our shortcomings but I think he has a bit of an idealized vision of Brazil's system. It certainly has its good points but it isn't all rosy either.

I am behind on a ton of things but I really just want to hang out with the staff of CTA (the center for testing and counselling) and absorb all they can teach me.