In the very early sixties, Brizola was very much a nationalist. Some say, leftist. In 1961 he was flexing his muscle as governor of Rio Grande and expropriated AT & T. We knew at the time that we were walking into a political hot bed when at our final meeting in Rio, it was announce, "And the four PCVs going to Rio Grande, report to the Political Attaché's office. When we arrived in Rio Grande, our gracious host asked us not to pay attention to the political signs which showed the great imperialist hand (in red, white and blue) being hammered by Brizola. It took him six months to find a legal loop hole to get us out of the state.

What a memorable weekend. I had gone, with our office assistant, to visit friends in Porto Alegre for the weekend and had return Sunday evening. On the way home, as Suzie and I walked through town, we knew that something very sad had happened to the town. As we neared my home, I had commented to my Brazilian friend how sad everyone's "good evenings" were. The whole town knew and everyone was just waiting for me to get back and for Mark to tell me the news.

Mark and I had a rule that we would never speak English in the presence of Brazilians. That night, the rule was broken as Mark gave me the news that we had to be out of town by 10 a.m. Monday morning. In my shock, I stated NO. By this time the street had filled with over 200 people as word had spread throughout the town that I was back. While no one spoke English, once Mark told me, the were murmurs of "e verdade". Suzie went home and then came back to help me pack. We finished about 4 a. m.

It was no fun being escorted out of town as the church bells struck 10. The town police chief was our friend, or so we thought, until he had to follow orders.

In Porto Alegre, we were under "city arrest". Every time we left our hotel, we were followed by armed police. We knew, or so we thought, that they really wouldn't harm us. Need less to say, we did make several trips to the American Consulate and our AID friends. After about a week, Peace Corps told us to proceed, with all of our belongings, to Rio. We were escorted out of the State by state police. This trip was another adventure as most of the roads were still not paved.

We made the front page of the New York Times! And we got an early start with our vacation that year. Peace Corps then had about six weeks to figure out what to do with us. So, while we were enjoying seeing other parts of the country, word had reached the head of the Agriculture Extension service in Santa Catarina about six PCVs looking for a new home. Dr. Glaco was used to getting his way with the Americans and was disappointed that he didn't get all 52 of us upon our arrival in 1962. So he jumped in and requested all six of us 'homeless' PCVs.

My first clue that we may be getting into some deep doo doo came on the day that Dr. Glaco gave us our send off to the interior. He knew all about us and what we had accomplished in Rio Grande. So he sent the hottest (Mark & me) PCV team to the weakest of his team. Bad choice.

As Mark & I approached Orleans, I started crying. Gone were the beautiful towns of Rio Grande, here was a town with one paved street, two blocks long. Mark reassured me that after one more year we would be headed home. So, we had nothing to do but to pour ourselves into our work. TOTALLY clueless of the plot to get rid of us upon our arrival.

The powers that be in Rio knew what was happening before we did. Our Project Director suddenly showed up, unannounced, at my door one evening. The next day, our Brazilian supervisors were called in to meet with all of us. We talked it out for over two hours. Mark and I thought that all was settled. What a surprise, that three weeks later more dirt was slung at us. At this point, I said this was enough and said that I wanted to go home. My Brazilian regional and state supervisors then decided to take me for a long walk. They didn't want me to make a decision just then. They asked simply if I would be willing to at least meet the new counter parts at another sight. They knew that Mark and I, as a team had much to offer and our new counter parts really wanted us. These were two very wise women who knew their people and at the same time, showed me much compassion.

And, yes, after meeting our new counterpart team, I did decide to stay. This turned out to be the most fulfilling part of my Peace Corps time.

Oh, yes, for Carnival that year, Mark & I returned to Rio Grande, to celebrate with our old friends as we really did not have many new friends where we were. It was a most memorable trip. I learned how much sleep that I could do without for three days.

Lorie Farinha
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