18 participants from all over the US came together late last night here at the Ecocentro. May arrived here this afternoon, and Arianne will arrive tomorrow night---All late due to extreme weather in the US and then overcrowded connecting lights in Brasil...Amazed at how fresh and eager and happy everyone was this morning---most up before the breakfast bell rung, talking and laughing and oohing and ahhing over this lush paradise that will be their new home for the next 3 weeks.

We had a very full day---with group building and activities to begin to get to know each other, introductions to all the staff and workers of the Ecocentro, basic orientation and detailed health and safety discussions, and an incredible, but initial tour and discussion of the structures, ecology and intentions of the IPEC community, led by faculty memeber Rebecca Nathan (pics attached)...also 3 awesome fresh and local and mostly organic meals, and a fascinating documentary on the Peoples of Brasil.  Lots of questions and wonder about this place, brasil and our local community---rich beginning---healthy tired....boa noite!