COLUMBUS DAY

Day 220

1.00 USD = 1.11900 AUD

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The day my blimen TOOTH FINALLY FELL OUT! Now to decide whether to just leave it, or go to the dentist for the 3rd time and get it cemented back in! The prior look the most likely! I'll sleep on it! Or without it....
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Columbus Day today. Celebration of Christopher Columbus discovering the Americas.

And don't we know it. We tried to get to the Brazillan embassy to get our visa's to Brazil and they're closed today, they're having a celebratory holiday..grrr!

The relevance for Brazil to Columbus is because when Columbus set sail in search of the East Indies his voyage was financed by the Spanish King and Queen, Ferdinand and Isabella.

They made the city of Palos pay back a debt to the crown by providing two of the ships, and by getting Italian financial backing for part of the expenses.

The crown had to put up very little money from the treasury.

Apparently Columbus thought he'd reached India when he arrived here in the Americas so he called the Native American's 'Indians' so that's why they're now called that!

Anyway, about today...the Brazillians are having a holiday...because Spain (and Portugal) colonised South America (incl Brazil) so...Brazil Embassy are celebratin this by shutting their embassy..grrr! NOT GOOD FOR US!

We're here for another couple of days...then to Seattle...

Will write again...and tell you about the Ice Hockey game we're all going to be going to thanks to Kate!! Can't wait!!!

Going "downtown" now!! Things to see, do, experience...

As the Americans say, Have a Great Gay! (It used to be 'nice' or 'good' now it's great!)

xx