Almost one week in Brazil

I arrived in Brazil last Friday. Today is Thursday. It has been almost a week here and the amount of things I have experienced in one week has been unbelievable. Every day I learn and see new things. I will write more later but until then, here are some pictures. 

my first meal here, very traditional and delicious 

Santos soccer stadium

me at the beach

Caldo de Cana, amazing!!! It is made of sugarcane and lime

coconut! (I dont like very much but it might grow on me) 

The cable cars that go up the mountain here. Such good views!

traditional food! 

All this can go on your rice and beans, toppings

sweets!!!

my new city and my sister! 

Santos

Sao Vicente 

Isabela's goodbye party/dinner. Many new friends!

"stand-up (y)" 

first day of school, with the skinny jeans and sneakers- going Brazilian 

friends!

I made brownies! 

My sister leaves for the united states! 

at the "shopping"

fruits at the farmers market

coxinha e caldo de cana! new favorite foods!

Catching Up and Heading Out

As I write this I am resting in my bed. Today is the day before I leave. I wouldn't call myself an early riser but I don't sleep in late often. I am enjoying the peace in my house as everything is quiet. My fan spins at a steady speed, a plastic shopping bag of things to pack listlessly crinkles around and my iHome plays Ben Rector on Pandora. The list of things to get done today stretches out next to me on my bedside table like a never ending Pez Dispenser- every time one thing gets crossed off, another thing is added. There is a lot of be done before I get onto a plane tomorrow evening but I am excited. I believe it is manageable and I have confidence in the journey ahead of me.

The past few days have been a rush to have everything done before I leave. Because of that, I have neglected to post and as "a picture is worth 1000 words" I will show pictures from my trip to North Carolina with my mom rather than boring you with thousands of words.

peanut butter pie at the Grove Park Inn on their sunset terrace 

Biltmore

the flower garden at the Biltmore 

cars parked in the parking lot of the Biltmore

Blue Ridge Parkway 

the view from the end of a hike 

Its Official

Today I got my flight itinerary! It is official, I am going to Brazil in a week! I leave Orlando at 6:30pm, have a short layover in Atlanta and then head to Sao Paulo where I will arrive at 8:15am local time. From there I will be picked up by my wonderful host family who will drive me to Santos, the city I will live in which is about 2 hours from the airport/ 1 hour from Sao Paulo. 

Here I go! The one week rush begins! 

See you soon Brazil!
-B.

A Quick Update

I have been spending this week in the North Carolina mountains for a little vacation with my mom before I leave for Brazil, meaning I haven't had the best of internet connection and I have been busy. Posts will be more frequent once I am home.

The big news is... I have a Visa!!!!!! I get to choose when I leave and I requested the 16th of August. 

That is ONE WEEK AWAY!!!!

I am waiting on the agency that makes my flight itinerary to give me flight details but hopefully a week from now I will be headed out on an international flight!

I ask for prayers as I head into a whirlwind of "lasts" when I return home from North Carolina and as I fly to Brazil where I will be thrown into a completely new lifestyle and language.


See you soon Brazil! 
-B

Brazil and UNC

The last several days my best friend of all time came to the City Beautiful, Orlando, FL to see me before I head to Brazil and she heads to college. She will be attending the University of North Carolina while I am abroad and at Samford. I have known her since I was four months old and she has been a huge part of my life. Seeing her is always fun and always long overdue. We got to spend four days together on this trip and managed to pack in lots of shopping, eating, and a trip to Disney. I will miss her this next year but both of us have fun years planned!