Antonio, Fatima, Milena, SK, and Davi

After Saturday’s day of practice, some of us took a walk in one of Curitiba’s parks. I can’t spell its name properly, but was told it means “Charming Cows,” referring to the bovines that once grazed there.

Alfredo

Families and couples strolled, joggers jogged, some kids learned to ride bikes, lovers cuddled, sports here and there …

Alfredo taught me how to order cheese puffs with espresso.

Curitiba is graced by a particularly majestic pine called Araucaria, a couple of which showed early fruits.

Araucaria

Ducks and turtles in the lake.

makes a metallic ping-ping sound

Birds, too.