Apr 19 Meeting
Area Rotary Clubs hold combined meeting for GSE Team for Brazil at the Carl Parker Center at Larmar State College Port Arthur
Crossing Paths
International Rotarians get taste of Brazil
PORT ARTHUR — Known for its beautiful beaches, lavish resorts and scenic natural habitats, Sao Paulo, Brazil, is famous for having some of the greatest getaway spots in the world.
Triangle Rotary Club members did not have to travel across continents to marvel at Sao Paulo, because Sao Paulo came to them.
Seven international Rotary Club leaders set out on a mission to "spread world peace" Monday during a Rotary meeting at Lamar State College-Port Arthur.
Comprised of young leaders from around the Sao Paulo area, the program was founded to fulfill the dreams of several individuals to visit the U.S. and provide service and fellowship to others, Fernando Tetsuo Nebuya, Rotary International member, said.
"U.S.A. Rotarians have talked to the world about a motto of service and self, and that has been our motto too, and it will be for the rest of our lives, said Nebuya. Every day Rotary gives us the opportunity to incorporate this feeling into our everyday lives so we can have world peace."
Nebuya may have identified several differences between Brazilian and American cultures, but there was one thing Southeast Texans and Brazilians did have in common — a love for Cajun style dishes.
"Brazil is a very big country, and there are a lot of very different foods, but this is one of the most traditional foods and it's called Feijoada, Nebuya said. "It has rice and is kind of like a Cajun food but not as spicy."
Home to the string bikinis, Nebuya and other leaders showed fellow Rotary members quite a view of Sao Paulo's luxurious beaches. One of which he said was voted to be one of the best beaches in the world.
"Right now we're doing our best to improve out beaches and our country as a whole," Nebuya said.
If beautiful sandy beaches, great food and string bikinis are not enough to lure Southeast Texans to Brazil, there are two more reasons that possibly will — sports and more sports.
"There are such great opportunities in Brazil," Nebuya said. "But the top two reasons people should visit in the future are for the 2014 Soccer World Cup and the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games."
Eleonora Mattoso, International Rotary club member said the group has been touring around Texas with plans to end their 18 day journey May 2 in San Antonio.
"We heard San Antonio was the place to go, so we're really excited about going there," Mattoso said.
Regis Shimanoe, International Rotary club team leader, and others may not be able to stand the hot Texas weather, but was able to draw one parallel between Sao Paulo's culture and People in Texas.
"The people here have been so hospitable, like the people in my country" Shimanoe said. "We have really enjoyed our stay here and will be back."
Courtesy the Port Arthur News