Tomorrow, Monday 2nd October I set out on the long journey back to São Paulo and I say Goodbye to the Parish and People {& Roads} of Juruena as the resident parish priest has returned. On my way to Juina City I will call to my new parish of "Castanheira" and deposit most of my luggage. In Juina I will catch the overnight bus to Cuiabá and then connect to its Airport, and take the 3 hour flight back to São Paulo. This will be at least a two day journey depending on the conditions of the roads.
I have been appointed to work in the parish of Castanheira in the Diocese of Juina by Dom Franco Dalla Valla, Bishop of Juina & Padre Geroge Corr, Superior Kiltegan Fathers in South America. This is a new diocese about 8 years old. Dom Franco is an Italian. The diocese has only four of its own priests and the rest are priests and sisters from missionary orders or volunteers like myself.
Here I will be living and working with Padre Derek Byrne a member of the Wicklow Kiltegan Fathers. Thankfully I won't be on my own this time as the last three months were a big struggle, especially with the language.
I will spend a few weeks in São Paulo, resting and getting the all important visa papers in order. After 8 months the visa is still a problem. When I am done I will drive back to Castanheira in my "Alcohol Powered" Fiat Uno. This journey will take me the best part of a week. I will be using the hospitality of some of my former fellow language students from Brasillia who are now working in towns and cities along my route.
I have been appointed to work in the parish of Castanheira in the Diocese of Juina by Dom Franco Dalla Valla, Bishop of Juina & Padre Geroge Corr, Superior Kiltegan Fathers in South America. This is a new diocese about 8 years old. Dom Franco is an Italian. The diocese has only four of its own priests and the rest are priests and sisters from missionary orders or volunteers like myself.
Here I will be living and working with Padre Derek Byrne a member of the Wicklow Kiltegan Fathers. Thankfully I won't be on my own this time as the last three months were a big struggle, especially with the language.
I will spend a few weeks in São Paulo, resting and getting the all important visa papers in order. After 8 months the visa is still a problem. When I am done I will drive back to Castanheira in my "Alcohol Powered" Fiat Uno. This journey will take me the best part of a week. I will be using the hospitality of some of my former fellow language students from Brasillia who are now working in towns and cities along my route.
The route will take me through "The Pantanal" in the state of Mato Grosso Do Sul, which is a Wet Reserve where one can see most of Brazil's wildlife. This reserve is the size of a small country. I am sure there will be a few good photo opportunities.
The Long Road Home {Taken during the dry season}
Road Collapse - the stick is the warning sign
A dirt track to one of the communities, hardly wide enough for the jeep
Vulchers on the road. The vulcher is a protected bird here. Often you will smell the dead animal before you see the vulchers, but they do a very important clean-up job here, especially in the heat.
The results of "Slash and Burn" Farming. For the month of August we could hardly see the sun beacuse of the smoke from the huge fires on the farms.
