Brazilian Discovery Chapter 4

When Joan walked to the bar to get a drink, the waiter immediately handed her her favourite daiquiri before she had the occasion to order it and he didn't want her to pay for anything. Tourists occasionally offered her a cup of Champagne. Joan was glad that Mr Gupta had sent her for wine expert training in Reims in the heart of the Champagne growing region, one year before. Just by looking to the label or tasting the wine, Joan knew whether the guy had ordered a really expensive bottle or a cheap wine. She accepted to dance with the first ones and just signed an autograph with a grateful grin for the other ones...

A journalist had tried to ridicule Joan by offering her a Californian champagne in a Veuve Cliquot vintage bottle. She had tasted it and immediately detected the deception. The Californian wine was very good but was clearly not of French origin and Joan had noticed it at once. She scolded the journalist for his attempt, joking with him and telling him he would have to work much better to mystify her! He had been stunned and had written a laudatory paper on a new English girl on the Rio scene that was simultaneously superb, intelligent, educated and had a very fine palate. From then on, Joan was accepted by the local jet set and was invited in many events organized by film producers, politicians, industrialists and other important people...

Just a few days before the beginning of her training session, a rich industrialist had invited Joan to a big party, offering her five thousand dollars if she accepted the proposal. Joan had asked Barbara to accompany her and her friend had been quite proud of the attention. One of the most renowned jewellery shops in Rio had phoned a few minutes later, offering to lend Joan a two hundred thousand dollars necklace and matching diamond earrings free of charge. The organizer even paid for a bodyguard as Rio is a rather dangerous city! He had another surprise for Joan. He had also invited a well known Brazilian girl, straight from her usual living place in New York : Gisèle Bündchen.