The first few days.

Well, this is my first post in Brasil. I cannot believe I am here

I will start off with the crazy story of my travels.

I arrived in Dallas about 12:00 and the first flight to Sao Paulo did not leave until 5:30. I sat around, bought some lunch, and called some friends. (For those of you who do not know, my dad is a Pilot for American Airlines. So, I flew stand-by on the way down here. that mean I only get on if there is a seat. Oh and it does not cost much to fly business class, so that’s what I resisted for, and business class was the only place that had seats.) So, there were about 3 seats open (which may seam like plenty, but you never know what is going to happen to all the seats....) I was waiting very patiently for them to call me name and give me a seat. I saw that I was first on the stand-by list so if anyone got on, it would be me. well as time went on I went to the desk to see if there was any more room. She said it was full so I went to the bathroom. Well when I got out apparently there was one more seat, and they called the last person (besides me) that was on the stand-by list. I was very sad and confused that I did not get on. So I went up to make sure I was rolled over to the next flight. I got there and talked to the lady and turns out they had called my name 4 times and I did not hear it so they let the other guy on. Well that made me cry because I knew I was not going to make my 8:30 flight our of Sao Paulo the next morning. Then God reminded me that there is a purpose for everything. I prayed a little and journaled a little and calmed down.

So I did get on the 7:45 flight, after waiting in line for 1 hour and after having a guy tell me that I would not get on. Well I did and I was in business class. :-) I talked to the lady besides me for a couple minutes and ordered my diner. By this time it was about 8:30 (the flight was delayed) and they stayed grounded for another hour because they were trying to get the bags off the airplane of the people that the bought off the airplane (since it was overbooked). So I stared watching a movie, and one of the flight attendants came up to me and asked if I could move to another seat. He said that this man was very aggravated and upset that his light was not working. Since a light is not that important to me I willingly moved, however I did not realize that I was moving to coach where there were about 75 screaming middleschoolers. I had such a bad attitude and just wanted to cry. (By the way, as the guy walked past me to my business class seat, his faced beamed with a selfish smile). Well I was saying to myself I would be ok with anything God except this! Then I realized, you know I am going to be in Brasil in 10 hours to have an opportunity of a life time. What am I complaining about. I cannot sit here and pout that some guy took my seat. I would be just as selfish as he was. So I lightened up a little and ended up having a fantastic conversation with a guy on the airplane sitting next to me. We talked about what he believes and he was a very nice guy. I asked his a lot of questions (he even said, wow you ask hard questions...hhaa :-) and got to share a little of what I believe. I pray that God planted a seed of truth in him through me. It was a great conversation. Then I knew, God, you really do have a purpose for everything.

Well I got to Sao Paulo and got through immigration very easily. I went to look for my bag, but it was nowhere to be found. They lost it. ya....well the good thing was they took me to a special room where they X-rayed my carry on baggage and I get through customs in about 20 seconds (yaya! no waiting in long lines). So I went to go call my host family and the numbers did not work. I was getting a little frustrated so I decided to just go check in. I went to the Tam booth and after talking with a lady for a while she said I had to go outside and to the left and put my name on a list to see if I could get on the 12:10 flight to Belo ( I was flying Stand-by on TAM to Belo Horizonte as well) Well I could not find it. I was so discouraged. But as I walked through the airport I had my Rotary Blazer on (a blue blazer that every rotary students gets and is very recognizable) Two teenagers came up to me and asked if I was an exchange student. Well turns out they were from Brasil and had just gotten back today from their exchange years in Germany. So they helped me call my host family and sign in for the flight. They were also great company to talk to. God really blessed me in that way. I don't know what I would have done without them.

I got on the 12:10 flight to Belo Horizonte. And right outside, was my host family there to greet me. I had a great first day just meeting everyone and seeing some places. (they drive like maniacs here). Well I was very tired so I took a nap for about 5 hours....That night was so beautiful. The apartment I am in is on the eighth floor of a building and on the porch you can see the city stretching in every direction. I took some pictures from there of the city lights. I loved it. then went to bed again and slept for another 12 hours. I really needed it.

Tuesday morning, the day after I arrived, me, Livia and Raquel ( my host sisters) and Camilla and Paula (two friends) walked around the streets a little. There are so many little stores all over the place. I love it! they have a store for bread and a store for paper and a store for cosmetics etc. all lining the street.

Well, we eat ALOT of bread and ALOT of cheese. haha I am not used to it. But it is good. I have had a lot of new things. One thing that I love is called Requeijao. It is like a very creamy cream cheese and I put it on everything :-). Also, they are so surprised that I drink so much water. And that’s all I drink. haha they always drink Coke or juice or something and only drink water.

Wednesday Angela ( my host mom) Raquel and Livia ( my host sisters) and Camilla and Paula and their mom all took me to a park on the top of the mountain overlooking Belo. It was so beautiful! I got to see the whole city from the top. After that we went to Camilla's house and I met their English teacher. He was great. then we just hung out and played games and watched soap operas (which I could not understand at all). It was so much fun. Every time I hang out with Livia and Camilla and Raquel and Paula I have such a great time! They help me with my Portuguese. Also Livia is constantly translating for me...haha...which is nice, but also not, since I want to learn Portuguese. But it is good for now. When I get better I will not need her to as much. That night Allison, my host dad, came home from a trip. He brought me some beautiful coconut earrings! He is so fun too!

Thursday the 31st we got a lot accomplished. I went to the Federal Police to get registered. After many times of going to another part of the building and coming back we finally finished it all. It took a while. I also got a chip for my cell phone and went to a historical museum of Belo Horizonte. It was very fun, but I was very tired.

So, some interesting facts about Belo. At almost every stop light there will be people coming out to sell you stuff while you are sitting at the red light. It is so crazy! haha I even saw a guy do all this juggling to get money.

The streets are very steep (very very very steep) and the people disregard stop signs and speed limits. Also, the police don't care much.

Lastly, they have very small trash cans.....I don't know why....

Well, there is so much more I could say, but I will go for now and next time I will not write quite so much....haha

Boa Dia e Tchau!

-Hope
(ah also, almost all their words here end with vowels. so they always pronounce my name Hopey. With a very pronounced E on the end :-) (I will upload pictures soon)

Leaving in 2 days and 3 nights!

So the plan for now is to leave Sunday morning! I am getting packed and finishing up all these little things. I have all my paperwork (visa, passport, insurance card, and other random pieces of paper that I don't really know what they are for...). Its still not even that real to me right now. Its hard to fathom that I am actually moving to Brasil to be an exchange student for a year. I am SO excited and SO nervous and I don't know what to expect when I get down there. There is so much unknown in all of this, thats one thing that makes it so exciting :-) (yet terrifying at the same time)
I appreciate all those who have been praying for me. It is so reassuring to know that people all over are keeping me in their prayers. I know God can work through prayer greatly. I will post again soon when I get arrive in Brasil!

-Hope

Getting closer, and more real!

Hi! I just got me Visa in today! Its just a little piece of paper glued into my passport. Wow, it is getting so much more real now that it is less than 1 month away and I have my Visa! Its crazy to say that I am leaving at the end of the month!