The traditional classroom day consisted of nine presentations of a high standard, with lunch in the middle.
A last dinner together before retiring to pack as we had an early start for the return to Australia journey.
We started the rather late due to the host nation staff being held up in traffic. When they finally arrived, we had three presentations, one from each of the Brazilian Air Force, Navy and Army pharmacists. It was then onto a bus to visit a local Army hospital where we were shown the two different levels of wards – a very basic one for a soldier, and then a flash one, complete with ensuite for an officer or SNCO. We also got a tour of pathology, ICU, and the pharmacy.
The afternoon was taken up by relaxing by the pool at Centro de Amaralina which is the local military resort where we could sit and chat or take a walk along the beach. Pity the wind was blowing a gale.
The MEPS dinner was held in a local restaurant, Yemanja, and we were treated to a number of traditional dishes. It was not a big night.
Attended a few
sessions again in morning but spent the afternoon shopping for gifts to take
home. The shopping trip took us to the Mercado Modelo (local market) which held
some interesting artifacts.
That evening, I attended the American Reception with Jane, Régis and David Cecillon (Canadian) that was held at the Salvador Yacht Club and was even more salubrious than the MEPS Meet and Greet location. At the end of the night when it was time to go home, Regis and David decided that
because their
hotel was only a five-minute walk away, they would just walk home. So, without
even a “ladies, will you be alright until the next bus arrives?”, off they went!!!
So, Jane and Wendy were left on their own. Fortunately, not long after they
left, a man that Jane knew quite well offered us a ride in his taxi as he was
going to the same hotel as Jane was staying in.
Attended a
couple of sessions, but was still suffering from the long flight, so had a nana
nap before the next round of socialising began.
The FIP Welcome Reception was held this evening, again a bus ride away at another location – an undercover car park. This was a very festive occasion, with all the local delights (food, music, dance, etc), A relatively early night was had by most.
The Opening
Ceremony started at 2pm at a venue that was a quite a drive away from the main
conference venue (Pestana Hotel) so buses were employed to convey us to the
destination. As usual, the MEPS Meet and Greet was held after the opening
ceremony at another hotel on another side of town, was only a taxi ride away, and
it was a most salubrious location, albeit at night.
This was where
a new drink was discovered by a number of the members - a Caipirinha, made with
limes, sugar, ice and cane spirit (white rum); you can add soda water if you
want it a little less sweet. A very nice drink in low doses.
Due to the 14-hour time difference between Santiago and Canberra, I lost a whole day whilst in the air! Left Santiago on 1 Sep and arrived i...
