Day One

This morning I awoke at 6:00am apparently long before the others.
So I decided to find out where I am and orient my surroundings.
easy enough get out the door and walk. woe easier than I thought.
Tomorrow I am going Running.
As I wondered along, I found myself arriving at the area where we will
sculpt.
I walked through the area trying to find mine.
Nothing seemed the right size, strange had they forgotten me?
They even labeled the stones.
and no Stephen....
concerned...
well as luck would have it A truck and crane arrived the same time I was
there.
And yes they brought my new friend with them
Dauntingly huge hid creamy white monolith lay silently on the truck.
And of course me being the hands on type, Decided to help them unload.
I think they started to get a bit annoyed with me, especially the crane
operator.
but even with my lack of Portuguese, we made it right.
Now I stand beside it.

Cream white with veins of light green wisping through...
and now it begins...
Actually not supposed to start yet.
we return to the site at 11:00 am as a group and get oriented.
then the opening ceremony at 7: PM tonight
Got go shower as I managed to get grease from the crane all over myself.

today, October 31
seems it is going to be a good time.
I could never imagine such a place and event
here are the pictures from this morning, some of the previous artists work.
and me with my new friend, I call it "Armi" for short

Well seems I am in the local paper already today.
I chose the biggest sculpture to be carved by an individual artist this
year.
Most are half my size and some even less
"did steve bite more than he can chew?"
well we will see in 30 days

Well here is some of the banquette.
our banners, the officials speeches
the people here to see me....
and they served good food and all the free beer we want, life is good, too
hot but good!
it is actually mildly tropical here ...
other picas include me having a drink with my friend "Armi"(the rock)

and putting Armi to bed.
Even fire works for us.
and the young admirer of mine...

The official breaking of the first stone.

stay tuned for pics of the other stones.
Later
Menya!