Lunch at Montana Grill
Little friends - Clara and Emma (4 days apart in age)
Clara, Leandro, Monica and Lucas - Cute, sweet family!!
Outside the Inter store
There are two soccer teams to cheer for in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Gremio is the blue team and Internacional is the red team. For the past year, we've claimed we're indecisive, although we've been pressured from both sides. While we've never attended a game, we always know when one is being played because the fans around our town think it's appropriate to light off fireworks before, during and after. The "after" is usually well-past midnight. (I no longer mistake the fireworks for thunder or gunshots.)
On Sunday, after my race, Leandro and Monica met us at the hotel with their two kids and we followed them to one of their favorite restaurants, Montana Grill, which just happens to be right next to the Inter stadium!! Leandro is a die-hard Inter fan and had warned us not to wear blue for our lunch date. (I think he didn't want to be seen with anyone wearing blue!) We had a great time eating way too much food and then we walked over to the stadium souvenir shop. Without waiting for a response, Leandro chose a team shirt, held it up to Kevin and let him know he was going to buy it for him! I'm not sure wearing a team shirt makes him a fan, but for now, Kevin's on the Inter side. Since he works with plenty of Gremio fans, I'm sure his wardrobe will soon include some blue!
Emma and Clara had a great time playing together. It's amazing to me how well they communicate with each other, even though each is fluent in her own language! I just really, really enjoy their whole family and always look forward to our time together! It would be oh, so nice if they didn't live 7 hours from us!!
