Our hosts welcome us...and then some

Cecilia Toledo, the ecologist with whom we are collaborating picked us up this morning at 9 AM to head to the Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU, for short) for meetings with her "boss" and her "boss's boss".

I now wish I had packed some nicer clothes. For the most part, Robin sent me off with field clothes: zip-off cargo pants, most with a small stain here or there from previous work in the field. Our first meeting was with Prof. Dr. José Rui Camargo, President of the University, and Prof. Dr. Edson Ap. A. Q. Oliveira, Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies. Profa. Ms. Ana Beatriz R. Pelógia, international Cooperation Officer, served as translator. Each was dressed in full business suites or other formal business attire. At least I remembered to bring plenty of business cards (a first for me). Many cards were exchanged.

A gift from our hosts, courtesy of the photojournalist that joined us. From left to right: Prof. Camargo, Dra. Toledo, me, Derrick, Prof. Oliveira, and Profa. Pelógia.

During our 45 minute-long meeting a reporter and photographer from the university newspaper joined us. We were asked about why we had come and what we were hoping to accomplish while we were there. I have a hard enough time making my work easy for everyone to understand (I can't help it if I get lost in the technical jargon). The language barrier was no help.

Neither Derrick nor I expected the red carpet to be rolled out like this. Universidade de Taubaté is a relatively young university (~50 years old) and is, I take it, not one of the more noted or prestigious Brazilian universities (at least not yet!). I gather that they are excited about our collaboration as a means of raising that profile. I'm blown away by my involvement in all of this. But, I must remember that the University of Toronto name seems to carry a fair amount of clout most everywhere.

Following our meeting with the big-wigs, we moved on to meet the chair of the department of Biology and some researchers. Their microbiology and physiology labs are not lacking in top-notch equipment. Very nice to see. We were told all of the facilities and equipment were at our disposal. Our hosts are so welcoming!

We leave for Ubatuba later today. Universidade de Taubaté maintains a field station in Ubatuba. So, it will serve as our forward operating base. Also, I should note that the beaches there are apparently quite well known. Ah, the trials of field work!