I have already been home in the wonderful county of Bucks for over a week now and this is the first moment I have had to write a final summary blog entry of my time in Brazil...
My last week in Cascavel was unfortunately full of a lot of sadness. Sergio, my host father, sadly passed away on the Tuesday of my last week. I will always remember his kindness and hold memories of our time together very fondly. This meant my last few days with my fantastic Brazilian family were filled with emotion and I am thankful we had a wonderful weekend together before this tragic event, so I could slip away without too much fuss during this difficult time for them. My thoughts are with them still. I will always love your family.
I spent my last two days with Ale's family which was the perfect way to say goodbye. Had a lot of fun with her and Julia and enjoyed myself before the 14hour bus journey to Campinas to visit Roger...
It was lovely to see a familiar face from back home waiting for me at the bus station...especially after an INCREDIBLY hot bus journey that seemed to take days rather than hours! (I was so prepared for a cold bus after the over air-conditioned buses I had previously taken...so wrapped up in jumpers and blankets and two pairs of leggings I was surprised at the heat of this bus!). My week in Campinas with Roger was incredible. I met some amazing people, partied hard and got to see a Brazilian international school prom...almost an American prom, but not quite! Adriana was prom queen but I think the rest of the Rodrigues' and I were far more excited than her!! The after prom events that night were crazy fun as I headed with Dri and Sandra to see Copacabana Club (an awesome band which are worth checking out!) and party the night away with far too many caiprinhas and shots haha.
After a few days recovery I headed off to Rio for my last week and the most incredible time ever! Was staying at such a lovely hostel where I met some incredible people who I spent my evenings at the bar with. The first night we went out on this boat/club ("I'M ON A BOAT....") and could see the whole of Copacabana and Christ the Redeemer and I realised how lucky I was to be in RIO!!! Aggghhhh RIO!!! Spent my three days there full of visiting everywhere I wanted to see, but I need to return to see more of this beautiful city. Although I loved Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer they were so full of tourists and people speaking English that I wasn't a huge fan. However my day that I spent having a tour of the National Library and then exploring the winding, cobbled streets of the artist district of Santa Theresa was my favorite day in Brazil. I found a gallery that was empty apart from a security guard so I could wander around looking at incredible photographs of favelas. This inspired me so I took my walk further afield and take a few photographs myself (though still nothing to impress David I am sure!!). Ended my day in a little second hand bookshop where I had a can of Guarana and a pao de queijo (already miss these!). My last night was chilled at the hostel bar where I received a cheeky free caiprinha and chatted with my new friends in a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish and English which was great fun.
The next morning I woke up early got a flight to Campinas then a bus to Sao Paulo then a flight back to London...after 28hours of travelling (with a short sunbathing break in Campinas :p) I was home.
These last five months have been the most incredible of my life. I have been through experiences good and bad and have enjoyed the independence and sense of self that I found in teaching and living with different people to my own family. I now feel able to take on almost any challenge thrown my way and am excited for my next adventure :)
x
