Thursday August 21^st – Day 11

            Today we went to a bio-energy visit at Fazenda Colombari, a cow farm.  It was actually very interesting to learn about how the owner decided to make his farms more efficient and economical.  It operates as any other farm where certain cows are designated to produce milk and others are for meat or breeding except the cow manure is recycled at this farm.  Some of the manure is used for compost and fertilizer while the rest is taken and put into a biodigester.  The waste is pumped into a system that has a hole in the ground with a dome cover over the top; anaerobic digestion takes place here and after time biogas is produced.  This is then used to power a generator.  The biodigester at this farm cuts the electricity bill in half.  Imagine if most farms implemented this, it would be much more economical and sustainable! 

            Our next stop was at Itaipu Dam, which was incredible.  The tour took us up to the very top of the dam so we could see the reservoir full of water and the magnitude of the dam.  Then we got to walk through the dam.  Inside the structure it was hard to fathom the large amounts of materials, laborers, and time needed to complete a hydroelectric project of this degree.  Itaipu is shared between Brazil and Paraguay in an agreement.  This dam alone satisfies 17% of Brazil’s energy needs and 75% of Paraguay’s; in fact Paraguay sells back some of the electricity to Brazil.  This visit was amazing and unbelievable, I really enjoyed it! 

            We had our goodbye dinner which was bittersweet.  It was a barbeque buffet and delicious, I don’t think I have ever eaten that much meat in my life.  I tried chicken hearts, lots of beef, and grilled pineapple!  This time in Brazil was such a great international learning experience and I had a wonderful time!