From Rio to the Washington Naval Base

Getting on to the Washington DC Naval base on November 3rd was not an easy task.  Whereas in the past we'd tell officials  "we're here for the book talk" and they'd amicably wave us through gates, the Navy guards put us through a bit of hell.   I thought they were going to demand I show them my birth certificate.

We entered the the presentation hall in a harried state but the audience exuded a certain brand of calm energy that allowed for Tom and I to flow through the motions comfortably.  It was like we were talking to a group of angels.  They watched us very attentively with soft smiles on their faces.  As I spoke to them, I  considered that many of these faces had witnessed horrible things.  But it was difficult to detect traces of that.  All they revealed was curiosity....and gratitude.

We sold multiple boxes of books right after the lecture and during the signing we met two very exotic women: Helena Maria Peres and Sheila Aragao.  They were Brazilian Navy women who had been a part of the Navy since its inception in Brazil in 1980. 

They told us that they had come all the way from Brazil     just    for   our   book   talk!!!!!

On December 16, they will release their book on the history of Brazilian Navy women.   Like Tom and I, they collaborate as a photographer and writer.  Everyone is invited to attend--and stay at their opulent Rio apartments.  Wonderful women!