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Incoming Fortaleza, Brazil Exchange
September 21 – 28, 2013

Fourteen ambassadors traveled from Brazil to spend a fun filled week with us before they had their 2nd week with St. Louis, MO.

A charter bus and a member of the Chicago FF Club met our Brazilian ambassadors at the O’Hara Airport and transported them to Cedar Rapids to meet their host families.

Sunday – The day was spent getting to know each other and possibly going to sites not on the schedule. A member-potluck welcome party was enjoyed by all at the end of their first full day in Cedar Rapids.

Monday – Kalona day started with the famous Kalona donuts and visits to the sale barn, general store, and visitors center. The activities were finished off with a Beachy Amish lunch served family style. The setting was a dairy farm outside of Kalona. Wonderful food.

Tuesday – Cedar Rapids day started off enjoying the view of the city from the roof top garden of the new Cedar Rapids Public Library. Other stops were: the Coe College art collection, Grant Wood’s stained glass window, lunch at the Blue Toad and the Czech & Slovak Museum.

Wednesday – Dubuque Day included the Mississippi River Museum, a sack lunch at Eagle Point State Park and a visit to a Lock & Dam. On their way back to Cedar Rapids, they stopped at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier and the Field of Dreams in Dyersville

Thursday – Iowa Small Town Day included:

  • Anamosa: Grant Wood gallery & grave
  • Stone City: lunch at general store
  • Rural Anamosa: Antioch School where Grant Wood attended
  • Baldwin: Tabor Home Winery
  • Mt. Vernon: Farmer’s Market & dinner at Whitey’s

A fun day but everyone was ready to slow down and rest at the end of it.

Friday – Waterloo Day included: a tour of the John Deere Tractor Plant, lunch, shopping at Happy Barn, and Hansen’s Dairy Farm. After returning to Cedar Rapids there was a dessert farewell party so member could say goodbye to our ambassadors.

Saturday – Dave and Mark drove rented vans and transported our ambassadors to St. Louis to continue their travels with a week long journey with the St. Louis club.

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