Rio......and a' that

Last night we attended a special tribute party honoring that great Scotsman, Robert Burns.
It was the 200th anniversary of his birth. All the Scoons take notice, especially Jenny.
About 200 Scots laddies and lassies were in attendance. There was an array of kilts displaying
every tartan you can think of. Scotch whiskey was flowing like the sea around us. We had
a joyous time listening to the brogues filling the atmosphere. There was a full ceremony,
a piping in the Haggis, an address to the Haggis, Toast to the Lassies by Ed Cambell and
reply to the Toast by a real Scotch Lassie who was also the medical officer on the ship. Finally,
a number of Robert Burns's poems were recited including a song: A Man's a Man For A' That.

Is there for honest Poverty
That hings his head an' a' that;
The coward slave-we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp'
The Man's the gowd for a' that.

If you want to go on, you'll have to do your own research. He is considered Scotland's
favorite son as well as it's most prolific lover, having fathered 14 children that we are
aware of, by a cadre of adoring lassies.

It was bright and clear this morning as we docked in Rio de Janeiro. Last visit we had
low lying clouds but this time we could see the Christ of the Andes and the large bay
surrounded by the white city structures. Our tour this morning left early. The temperature
had already reached 90 so we were glad to take the Guarnabara Bay Tour which gave us
a perfect view of the city. Hannah was our guide and spoke excellent English, no Scot's
accent she.

We returned to the ship ready for an afternoon meal and rest. We sail tonight at 11:pm
and head for Montevideo.