My Dad's here!!!!!

My alarm went off at 5:30 yesterday morning.  The plan was to be out the door by 6:15, but of course it was closer to 6:30 when I actually left.  I ran to the bus stop, afraid I was going to miss my 7 o'clock bus to the Sao Paulo airport.  By the time I caught the bus and arrived at the bus station, it was 6:45.  I had time to buy my ticket, grab a bite for breakfast, and still sit for about 10 minutes before my bus was off.  Turns out, I planned poorly anyway.  I should have taken the 6am bus.  We got caught in traffic (in Sao Paulo, the third largest city in the world), and I didn't make it to the airport until about 9 - and hour after dad was supposed to arrive.  He had actually arrived early, so he had a nice long wait, but we did find each other!  More traffic on the way home meant it took us about 3 1/2 hours to get home (instead of the normal 1 1/2 it should take).  He's only been here a day and a half, and I feel like we've already done a ton!  A quick lunch yesterday, followed by the best ice cream in the world, some grocery shopping, unpacking (he brought some more of my stuff for me - felt like Christmas!), pizza (all-you-can-eat 40 flavors including corn, broccoli, stroganoff, filet mignon, french fry, chocolate, ice cream....).  This morning we went to the hippie fair and then walked around downtown.  Had pastels for lunch - another Brazilian treat.  Now we're taking it easy for a little bit and, weather permitting, will go to Taquaral soon.  

Cultural Lesson #... I've lost count...

So, last night definitely qualifies as a cultural lesson.  I had been invited to a friend's house (Hugo's) for dinner.   I did not realize a bunch of people had been invited and that there would be a whole group of us, but that was the case (and really, that's beside the point).  He told me anytime from 7 on was fine to show up.  To me, that said the invitation was for 7.  But, in my "cultural wisdom," I knew it would be ignorant of me to actually show up at 7.  So, I timed things so that I got there around 7:45 or 8.  Now, let's think about that for just a moment... in the United States, if you are invited to dinner at seven and, without a phone call or any other notice, you do not show up by 8, one of three things has happened: 1. You were attacked with a case of amnesia and completely forgot.  2. You died.  or 3. You decided you completely hate the people who invited you.  I was quite proud of myself for foreseeing this cultural difference and was confident that I would arrive right about the time dinner was being placed on the table.  Turns out I need to go back to Brazilian culture school.  I arrived close to 8, and by 10:45 when we still hadn't eaten, I was about ready to go home without dinner.  Around 11, people were still showing up, but we finally did have dinner.  And it was quite spectacular, I must say.  I, in my American way, managed to get out by about 11:30 and home by midnight.  I'm still not quite sure how I managed that... 

swollen

So, Saturday was fun.  I got to check my luggage twice - something I've always dreamed of doing.  It's such a bummer when I check it once and don't see it again until I get to Brazil.  (In case you're not picking up on my sarcasm, let me help you: start picking up on my sarcasm.)  My favorite part about Saturday was not only that I got to check my luggage twice, but that my hands swelled up quite nicely from pulling about 200 lbs. of luggage.  (yes, about 200 pounds!  I had a lot of stuff!)  By the time I arrived in Brazil (about 18 hours after the journey began in NY), the swelling had almost gone away.  Hopefully you can tell I'm not fibbing by checking out the before and after pics (Note: the "after" picture was taken moments ago, after the swelling had gone down completely)...

 

it's just the beginning

If you ask Nayana, she'd say I hit the ground running yesterday.  I'd say I just picked up where I left off.  I arrived in Campinas shortly after noon.  The plan was to go for a run at Taquaral park, but we wound up going out with Corenne, the kids, and Corenne's friend.  After that, I didn't even have time to take a shower before church, but I'm pretty sure I didn't stink, so I think it worked out alright.  Nayana went to church with me - it was great to see everyone again.  After church we met up with a couple friends (Thayan and Igor) for a little while, then it was off to bed.  I was fine all day yesterday, but I could barely keep my eyes open this morning!  It's been sort of a slow day, primarily because Philip isn't here.  But I can now say I have arrived at the end of my "first" day of work.  The plan is to go for a run at Taquaral now (since I missed out yesterday).  Then maybe some organizing and reading at home this evening.  

Back to Brazil

Well, I didn't exactly keep up with the blog while I was home... at all. But I'm back at it now, and I intend to keep it that way.

I made it to Brazil safe and sound. I think I actually slept about 6 hours on the plane! That's definitely a record for me! Plus I slept most of the 1 1/2 hour bus ride to Campinas. No one was home when I got there, so it's a good thing I had my keys. I dropped my stuff off and came next door to Philip and Corenne's. Nayana was here with Corenne's mom and her nurse, but no one else. Philip is in the States, and Corenne is out with the kids and a friend who is visiting. We just had lunch, and I'm thinking I might go for a run in about an hour, then church this evening. It's been cold and cloudy since I arrived, but it looks like the sun is trying to come out now... which means it will probably get hot!