Dennis (D.J.) In Brazil

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2011-11-20T12:57:00.001-08:00

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Day 176

2009-04-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

Today was another day of studying. I took a break from studying in the late afternoon and went to the gym. Later in the evening I went walking in Mantiquira with my host dad.

Day 175

2009-04-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

Early in the morning my dad and I went walking on a nice path near our house. Then I studied the rest of the afternoon. Later in the evening we went walking in the downtown area of our city.

Day 174

2009-04-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Today was a relaxed day I did some walking and exercise and then studied for the ACT.

Day 173

2009-03-31T16:15:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up at 10:00 AM and took a bus at 11:00 to my city. When I arrived in my city I took a taxi to my house. I spent most of the day organizing and unpacking. Later in the evening we went walking and then I went off to the Rotary Meeting.

Day 172

2009-03-30T19:11:00.000-07:00

Today we left the hotel at 6:30 AM to depart for Curitiba. There at the bus station the people who were continuing on the trip of the south stayed and we took a bus together back to Sao Paulo. We arrived in Sao Paulo at 1:00 AM. Some of us went to the hotel across the street to sleep.

Day 171

2009-03-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

To begin the day we had breakfast and left for Argentina. When we arrived, the border patrol wanted our passports and stamped them. This was much different than Paraguay. It took about ½ hour in customs. We then went to Puerto Iguazu and the Argentinean side of the falls. We walked through the forest and took a few trains to see the every view of the waterfalls. We had lunch in the park. The Argentinean beef was very good. There we came in contact with people from all over the world. I even met some Americans. At the exit there were indigenous people selling different items and kids singing songs in the native language of Guarani. Then we went to where Brasil, Paraguay and Argentina meet which is called the Mark of the Three Borders. Each Country has a pointed structure with their flag painted on it. Around the Argentinean point, there were many native people selling hand-crafted items. Then we went to the center part of the city and went in to different shops to buy local items and on the streets there were many native people selling crafted items.

Day 170

2009-03-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

In the morning we had breakfast and then we were off to the city of Del Leste in Paraguay. To get there we went on the Friendship Bridge over the Paraná River. We took a different international charter bus to Paraguay as a group with a local guide aboard. To enter Paraguay we just drove right through there were no police at that stopped you and the border. We spent the morning there going to different shopping malls and little carts in the street buying thing very cheap. The names of the shopping malls were funny. One was Americana and the other Chines which is American and Chinese. There they had all kinds of electrons and fake things real cheap. They had a variety of fashions and accessories that were all fake name brand items. There were many street vendors selling everything from socks to musical condoms. In the carts on the street you could buy just about anything cheap. The streets there were very dirty and had many poor people. It was good because I got to use my knowledge of Spanish there. In this region they speak Spanish and their indigenous language of Guarani. Their money is also Guarani in Paraguay. The money is like nothing to the dollar it was interesting because I had a 5,000.00 Guarani Bill and it is not even one U.S. Dollar. Everywhere in this city the prices were listed in U.S. Dollars, but they accepted Reis, U.S. Dollars, and Guarani. This is because of many people from other countries going to there to buy items. I ate Chinese food in the nicest shopping food court I could find. In the late afternoon we went to Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant, which is the largest in the world. This plant is located in Brazil and Paraguay. It was an amazing tour. Before dinner we went swimming. The dinner and show was phenomenal. We went to a good barbeque restaurant where they had a cultural show with a variety of acts. The acts included were from many different countries of Latin America.

Day 169

2009-03-27T22:58:00.000-07:00

We had breakfast and then visited a Bird Park. The park is a great place for those who love ecotourism. It has an area of 10 acres with trekking trails in the middle of the forest. The park is located 8 km from Foz do Iguaçu downtown area, and it has over 500 birds! There are Brazilian species and from other continents. There were birds flying free and ones that were being rehabilitated were in cages. We walked in one large cage and there were probably 30 large parrots flying free. These parrots had a large wing span and were so beautiful with their multicolored feathers. It was a bit crazy because there were two fighting and the birds were flying everywhere even right at you. We were ducking and dodging them left and right. There we got to see some of the large spiders Brazil has. We also got to see the cobras and anacondas of Brazil. Then we visited Iguaçu National Park, Iguaçu Waterfalls the Brazilian Side. Large than Niagara Falls it was so beautiful. We walked through a forest to get down to where the falls are. I then went on the optional Macuco Safari with a few other students. The Safari consisted of a jeep ride through the tropical forest, hiking and an exciting boat ride in the river and under the waterfalls. We got really wet. While on the boat I met some Americans from California. Everywhere we go here in Brazil each foreign exchange student meets someone from their country. We then went back to the hotel for dinner. In the evening we went swimming and then just hung out and talked.

Day 168

2009-03-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

Today we departed from the hotel in Sao Paulo at 8:00 AM and did not arrive at Foz Do Iguacu until 1:00 AM.

Day 167

2009-03-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

I finished packing in the morning, had lunch, and left for Sao Paulo city. I arrived in Sao Paulo city by bus about 7:00 PM. From the bus station I took a taxi to the hotel. I took a special taxi because it is safer. They are also nicer. At the hotel I met some of the foreign exchange students going on the trip. I went out with Brank a friend of mine from Taiwan to a Sushi restaurant across the street. I then went up to my room and met my roommate from Poland, Kasper.

Day 166

2009-03-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

My father and I went out walking and then I did some studying for the ACT. In the evening I went to the normal Rotary Meeting.

Day 165

2009-03-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

I met up with the other foreign exchange students in my city at Esportiva. After we went to my house and we played some board games.

Day 164

2009-03-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

I went out with my family for lunch at a club my mom is part owner of. It is an investment with the people of the bank she used to work in. It was a very nice barbeque with pool and soccer fields. In the evening we went walking in the city and watched the orchestra in the park.

Day 163

2009-03-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

During the day I was walking around the city with my dad running some errands. At night I went with my friend Kaio and the owners of CNA to our friend’s chocolate and coffee store downtown. There we sat outside in front of her business and talked and enjoyed the music from Amnysia across the street.

Day 162

2009-03-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

After school I went out with my friends to the gym class of my school in the evening. There we had volleyball games. It was a lot of fun and interesting playing and communicating in another language.

Day 161

2009-03-19T16:06:00.000-07:00

When I finished with lunch I went right to Esportiva to work out. After that I went and talked at the English School CNA. In the evening I went to the other Rotary club in my city. There it was a special day and we had a barbeque and there were many Rotarians from my club in attendance.

Day 160

2009-03-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

After school my father and I went for a nice long walk and tour of the city. We walked to Esportiva and the continued to walk in the beautiful path in Esportiva. Later we went to Mantiquira where we usually walk and that took us up until dinner time.

Day 159

2009-03-17T05:48:00.000-07:00

Today I went swimming and exercising at Esportiva. It was a very warm day. In the evening my parents went to Pilates class and I went to my city's Rotary Meeting.

Day 158

2009-03-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

In the morning I got to go to the airport in my city to say good bye to my uncle and see what it was like there. He is the lead person of the fighter jets for the Air Force of Brazil. He got picked up in a small aircraft at the airport and brought back to the capitol where he lives. It was very neat because when we walked up to the plane we all got a salute. I felt like president for a minute. In the evening the day was calm. I went to Esportiva and worked out.

Day 157

2009-03-15T21:24:00.000-07:00

Today we had lunch and my uncle here who is the Air force Chief spent the night because of a death here in the family. I went out walking for a lot of time with my parents here in Mantiquira.

Day 156

2009-03-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

Today I switched back to my first host family because my second host family was going on vacation. The second host family took me to cousin's birthday party. It was a 7 year old set of twins.

Day 155

2009-03-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

I went out walking with my dad in the center of downtown. We walked and had Acai then went to the museum. After we went walking more. I then had video conference with Cross Countries and at night I went out with my friends to a new restaurant that opened up in the city.

Da 154

2009-03-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

I went walking with my host dad. After that I went to the other Rotary Club Meeting in my city. There my Vice Principal is a member.

Day 153

2009-03-11T18:19:00.000-07:00

Today I got of school and my dad took me on a city tour. Some places I have not been before. We then went out for Italian Ice. In the evening we went walking in Mantiquira.

Day 152

2009-03-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

Today we got out of school at 12:00, but had to be back at 1:30 to take tests. In the evening I went to the Rotary Club Meeting.

Day 151

2009-03-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

Today my first host mom, Bete, picked me up from school to bring me home. Then I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. The Rotarian was very nice and he is the uncle of one of my friends. After this I went to Esportiva to swim and work out.

Day 150

2009-03-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up late and then went to a barbeque at my first family’s house.

Day 149

2009-03-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

Today we had a barbeque at my friend Kaio's office. There were just myself and people from CNA English School. After that I went with Kaio to a fundraiser at the theater for the local hospital. It was a variety music show. His brother was singing a song in the show. Later in the night we went to the chocolate store to meet up with our friends. Then we went to Amnysia the night club here. It was so nice I got to enter VIP. We even had a special lounge. At the end of the night about 5:00 AM I went home with Dri one of the English teachers.

Day 148

2009-03-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

Today I went to Telkinfin with my friend Kaio where we met his father, brother, and brother's girlfriend. It is a nice restaurant/bar here in Sao Joao. Our friend, Dri who is an English teacher seen us and came and sat with us. She was in the U.S. for a few months and just returned. After this we went to our friend’s chocolate and coffee store in the downtown area. Later Kaio, Dri, and I went to Bar Do Club. There they had a country band and we stayed until 3:00 AM. (Dri is the owner of the very classy chocolate/coffee store. She is only 31 and has a store on her own) Most of these friends are older and have businesses.

Day 147

2009-03-05T17:54:00.000-08:00

My family and I left the house for the day. We picked up my dad's mom and went to the mountains to have lunch at a nice restaurant on top of the mountain. It was very nice there. We visited some nice water falls on the property as well. After this we drove through the mountains until we arrived at Aguas Da Prata another city nearby. There we exited the car and walked around in the city. There they are known for corn product, so we ate lots of corn things. Then I got to see some wild monkeys in the trees.

Day 146

2009-02-28T14:29:00.000-08:00

I met up with my fried Victor in the afternoon at Telkinfin. From there we went in a car to a party at a friend of mine's farm. This was outside the city, but nice. There were about 30 people there for the party. We had a barbeque, swam in a huge pool, and much more... It was great! I knew a lot of people.

Day 145

2009-02-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

I slept in today and missed saying good bye to my brother and his family. In the afternoon I went to Esportiva to swim and workout. At night I went walking with my dad in Mantiquera.

Day 144

2009-02-26T20:45:00.000-08:00

During the day I went out to the city with my dad. In the late evening I went out with my friends to a restaurant/bar that had a band tonight.

Day 143

2009-02-25T17:42:00.000-08:00

Today was a day of organizing and relaxing. I stayed in the house most of the day. Today I said goodbye to my host sister as she left for her city.

Day 142

2009-02-24T20:38:00.000-08:00

I woke up very late from last night of partying. I got ready and left to catch a van with my friend Victor and the group of friends for another day of partying in the streets of Pinhal. In Pinhal they had many streets filled with people dancing and drunk. There was a DJ and lots of music. People had tents set of with groups of people claiming them. They were like individual parties in each tent down the street. The one street had so many people it was just crazy. Trying to walk through and getting pushed and shoved and rubbing up against everyone. So many things were happing it is hard to tell you everything that happened.

Day 141

2009-02-23T17:34:00.000-08:00

I had another great day in Pinhal! I met up with my friend Victor and other friends from school there. I took a van with everyone back to my city Sao Joao. At night I went with my host siblings and their friends to a party at Palmeras Club. There was a nice mix of people there and a live Carnaval Band. That went until 4:00 AM. Other people from my family met us up there. My first host mom Bete was there. The other foreign exchange students Aaron and Pontso were there as well.

Day 140

2009-02-22T00:56:00.000-08:00

Today I had a relaxing afternoon. In the evening I went to Esportiva the club for a Carnavl Party! I met my friend Gilberto there and there were other people I knew.

Day 139

2009-02-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

Today this morning we left Sambodromo in Sao Paulo at 7:30 AM. It went all night and we were all tired. We slept in the van on the way home. Arriving in Sao Joao at 10:30 AM and going directly to sleep as soon as I got home. I slept until 3:00 in the afternoon. Today my host sister Sunny came to my house on vacation. In the evening we went to Pinhal a city nearby for the party in the street. Here best friend’s boyfriend and best friend went with us. Later I went wither her and my host brother to a new restaurant/bar in the city here to meet up with some of my host brother’s friends. Later in the night my host brother, sister and, I went to one of my host brother’s friend’s house to play board games.

Day 138

2009-02-20T11:32:00.000-08:00

In school today it was crazy! When school let out the students ran out yelling like animals because Caranaval started today. Today we left in a van for Sao Paulo City at 6:00 PM. In the van was Sonia from Rotary and five other foreign exchange students. We went to Sambodromo, which is the second largest Caranaval Parade in Brazil. On the way we stopped at a rest place. The place had a 50’s diner theme. I ate at N.Y.C. which is a fast food restaurant that served American Food. It was so nice to have American food like chicken fingers and french fries. We arrived at Sambodromo at 10:00 PM and it was scheduled to start at 11:15 PM. It did not end up starting until 11:30 PM.

Day 137

2009-02-19T16:04:00.000-08:00

My host brother and his family arrived today. He has a wife, Fernanda, and a 1 year old, Vitor, and they are staying here on vacation. They live in another city about 2 hours away.

Day 136

2009-02-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

Today I met Pontso, a foreign exchange student from South Africa, at Esportiva to work out. We both started a work out schedule today.

Day 135

2009-02-17T15:41:00.000-08:00

I went to Esportiva to work out and then went walking with my host dad in Mantiquirra. This is a popular walking path right by my house.

Day 134

2009-02-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

Today my friend Aaron from Australia and I went to Espotiva. We went there to work out, but his card was not ready. We then walked to America, which is an English School here owned by a Rotarian. We decided to join an advanced class and talk with them. After we walked to my house for dinner.

Day 133

2009-02-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

Today I got up early and had breakfast. After that I went with my host dad to Esportiva for a medical exam. We then went to a cousin’s house. After that we went out for ice cream. In the evening we talked as a family and had a small dinner.

Day 132

2009-02-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

Today I was supposed to be my first day of school on Saturday. I did not go because I came very late last night here. I also needed a day to unpack, settle in, and adjust.

Day 131

2009-02-13T20:27:00.000-08:00

Today I did some work on the computer and enjoyed the day with my family. I had some last minutes things to pack. When my father came home we loaded up both cars with my things and went to my second house. The second family is related to the first, so they had a nice dinner for us to have all together.

Day 130

2009-02-12T16:25:00.000-08:00

Today I went out walking with my friend Gilberto. The rest of the evening I packed everything I had at this house to move to the next house.

Day 129

2009-02-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

Today early this morning I ended up going to the emergency room because I had such and high temperature and could not sleep. My body also ached. I got a shot and they did tests to make sure I did not have a virus. Then I went home to rest.

Day 128

2009-02-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

Today I was sick so I stayed in the house most of the day.

Day 127

2009-02-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

Today the maid cleaned my clothes and I unpacked my suitcases and bags. In the evening I organized everything I bought in boxes. I could not believe how many things I bought in one month.

Day 126

2009-02-08T22:46:00.000-08:00

Today we left early in the morning for our arrival in Sao Paulo city. We ended up leaving two kids behind in Rio because they were not ready. It was crazy! We arrived in Sao Paulo City about 2:00. From there we said good bye and parted to our own busses. My bus along with a few others who were on my bus left at 4:00. I got back to my city at 7:00 at night where my host mom, dad, and friend Patricia met me. We had dinner together and then I was so tired I went right to bed.

Day 125

2009-02-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

We had breakfast then left for Cristo Redentor which is the Christ Statue in Rio on top of the mountain. There it was great! I met some people from the Oak Lawn area. They use to teach at Oak Lawn High School. We went to a large mall in Rio where we had lunch and I bought some Brazilian Brands. After that we went to Ipanema beach another very famous beach. There we seen many young people and the waves were very strong and the beach was very crowded. We then had dance lessons. They were of Samba and Funk dance at a studio in Rio. Following this we had dinner then went back to the hotel to hold our talent show. Everyone stayed up late because it was the last night of the trip.

Day 124

2009-02-06T17:27:00.000-08:00

We had breakfast and left very for a historical tour of Rio De Janeiro. Along our tour we stopped at Confeitaria Colombo which is a very large and famous coffee and sweet shop. Many famous people have visited here including the Presidents of Brazil, Kings from other countries, and other famous people. We visited Sambódromo, which is the official place of the Carnival Parade here in Brazil. This is also the largest celebration. Then we took a visit to Maracanã. This is the where one of the soccer teams play in Rio. This is the soccer stadium of the World Cup coming up in a few years. We then got to witness Floresta da Tijuca, which is the largest tropical forest in the world inside a city. We then had lunch at Hard Rock Café Rio. It was so nice to have an American meal of pulled pork. One thing I really miss is free refills and restaurants and here they had them because of the American influence. We then went to Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf). This is two mountains that you ascend in a cable car to the top to view the city. After dinner we went shopping in the art show at Copacabana beach.

Day 123

2009-02-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

Today we were on the road all day. We left early this morning for Rio. We arrived at 10:00 at night, had dinner, and went to bed.

Day 122

2009-02-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today was a free day, so everyone could wake up later if they wished. After breakfast some people went back to bed and others stayed by the pool, or went into the town. The guys had a barbeque for the group!! Everyone was talking, listening to music, and relaxing by the pool..it was a very nice day! After the barbeque some of the group stayed in the hotel either in their rooms or by the pool, and others headed to the beach until dinner. After dinner our group along with another group of Rotary exchange students that had just arrived, had a dance together! The dance had a DJ with great music and it lasted until our group had to leave for Rio de Janeiro, (2 am) our last city on our dream trip 2009!

Day 121

2009-02-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

The day started with a city tour through the oldest part of Porto Seguro. There we saw the first three churches of Brazil. We also tried cocada which is flavored, sweet coconut and handmade chocolate made by the Indians with the local coco. Then we had free time to drink some water and juice to refresh ourselves in the shade, as we always do. After this we went to a place to dance Axé, where all the exchange students came back to life.(Axe is a typical Brazilian style of dance for festivals) During 4 hours of nonstop dancing, swimming, and riding the banana boat, we got tired but had a lot of fun with the competitions and entertainers, especially the transvestite. This was a very cool private beach with many things to do. There was a dance floor that sprayed water on you to cool you down along with a stage and DJ. Our program ended with the last part of the city tour where we went to the place where the first mass took place. There were a lot of native Brazilians who spoke a different dialect and who wear typical Indian clothes. At the end of the day we returned to the hotel, took a shower and went to dinner. Afterwards we got a bit of free time to walk around in the city. Then we went to bed for a nice sleep knowing that the next day would be completely free to relax and refresh.

Day 120

2009-02-02T06:12:00.000-08:00

After a one hour bus ride we arrived to the beautiful beach of Trancoso. In Trancoso we arrived at a nice comfortable beach “barraca” (a place where they serve food, drinks and you can lay on beds) where we spent our evening, we made a few steps on the beautiful beach with its Greenery and marine blue water. During the day we had the opportunity to play soccer on the beach, swim, and so on... On our way back to the hotel we stopped to visit a square called “praça de quadrado” from where we had a beautiful view of the native beaches. We also had a folkloric show with capoeira demonstration and the preparation for the ritual of yemanja (goddess of the water). We also sang to our awesome group leader Ederval, because he was leaving the next day. When we arrived in our city we took a shower and went in the city to have dinner. We ended the day with our belly full of good Bahian food and shopping around the small village.

Day 119

2009-02-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

Today after a long trip, we arrived in the city of Arraial D´Ajuda/Porto Seguro where we have already made ourselves comfortable at the “pousadas” pool. A pousada is similar to a Bed in Breakfast. After a while, part of the other group of exchange students came to visit us while we were playing around at the pool. At night we met the other part of the group at the dinner which took place at their pousada. The Germans and the Mexicans were fighting for the biggest number of people each country had, but in the end, México seemed to have no chance in front of the 14 Germans from their group who came together with our 10 other Germans. Our Belgium guy and the Indian girl were really happy to see that the other group was hosting a beautiful girl from Belgium as well as a really funny Indian with crazy hair. Of course Peter made his entrance by jumping in the other’s pousada’s swimming pool. We ate our pizza and went to the city to have a good time and eat ice cream. At eleven we had to come back to the pousada, where we had more or less 1 hour and a half to exchange our cards, sing, and finally say goodbye to each other.

Day 118

2009-01-31T19:14:00.000-08:00

Today we had two options which separated the group. The first choice was a 4x4 ride which I did. During the ride we saw Itacaré´s beautiful scenery. If you wanted to go snorkeling for an hour you could do it...but you had to pay!! On the way back, we stopped and ate cake, and then went back to the hotel. The other group woke up much later at 9 and left to go on a trail to the most famous beach in Itacaré. They walked for one hour and arrived very tired at the beach. They stayed on the beach for three hours and ate watermelon along with coconut water. The waves were very rough so they had a lot of fun playing in them. After they returned to the hotel. The groups meet up and went to the same restaurant for dinner AGAIN! Some people got dread locks in the street and other prepared for the next day’s epic Voyage to Porto Seguro!

Day 117

2009-01-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

We woke up at 8:30, ate breakfast and left on a journey to 3 different beaches. The weather was great, with no clouds in the sky. We walked through the ´´jungle´´ and arrived at the first beach. The beach had a fresh water river, and the ocean water was beautiful. After we walked a bit more and arrived at the second beach of the day, which had a stand that sold tapioca! The guys played soccer. The last beach was the biggest one of the day, and it had many people along with a tasty restaurant and refreshing showers! We ate lunch and relaxed a while before returning back to the hotel. At 7 we went to dinner at the same restaurant and later we went shopping in the street. Before everyone went to bed Isabel and Tânia cut Ederval´s hair. He was a monitor we had from Belo Tours.

Day 116

2009-01-29T12:10:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Itacaré at 8 PM at a very interesting hotel, with a pool and hammocks in front of the rooms. After we explored the city and went to dinner at a Buffet. Itacaré is very small with sand and Stone streets. At 12:30 AM they threw Reiçy into the pool because it was her birthday.

Day 115

2009-01-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

Today we had a 12 hour ride from Natal to Aracajú. When we arrived we checked in, had dinner, and went to bed. We had no program today just a night to sleep in Aracajú.

Day 114

2009-01-27T08:51:00.000-08:00

The next day started with a really good breakfast before we went to see the Forte Dos Tres Reis Margos, where a guide told us everything about the fort and the history of the city of Natal. Later we got back to the hotel where we had free time to enjoy the beach, the pools, take part in samba and axe lessons, shopping, to get some sun, swim, play ball, sleep or attempt to knock coconuts from the trees down.
Finally we went out to have dinner in a restaurant which had special food from the northeast. After that we went to the shopping to the mall.

Day 113

2009-01-26T08:34:00.000-08:00

After saying goodbye to Alisha (Canada) Laura (USA) and Hector (Venezuela) we arrived at the hotel in Natal. Because of the 16 hours travel in the bus from Jericoacoara to Natal everyone was very tired and went to sleep early.

Day 112

2009-01-25T10:40:00.000-08:00

Day three found us going on buggy rides across Rivers and through forests. Driving down the beach to finally reach the real dunes. We went sand sledding and boarding similar to snow. Unfortunately we had rain so we headed to the lagoon restaurant early. It was hours of swimming in chest deep fresh water where the tables are in the shallows so you never have to leave the water. Here I came in contact with many Americans in the middle of nowhere. One family actually lives in this city seasonal here in Brazil and they are from Michigan. After that we headed back and had a wonderfully relaxed evening preparing to leave our favorite place. Some of us stayed up till 4 in the morning appreciating the beauty of the stars and life and everything that brought us to where we are where we go from here. Definitely a defining moment in the trip, the exchange, and perhaps even life. Jericoacoara will always stay with us.

Day 111

2009-01-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

We began the day on the beach. Getting sunburned and frolicking in the powerful surf. One of those beaches you imagine or see in a magazine and think you´ll.
never get to in your life. After people broke into smaller groups, some going to the dunes and others back to town. All day was spent relaxing and doing whatever we wanted. For us a more perfect day cannot be planned. It was in short the perfect day with perfect people and the perfect setting.

Day 110

2009-01-23T08:47:00.000-08:00

Today, the 23rd, we got up, had breakfast and rode the bus for 9 hours to the small town of Jericoacoara. We arrived at a gas station to switch buses and went off-roading for 40 minutes along the beach to reach our hotel called Jeri-Village. A very simple, but comfortable and lovely place. Before dinner some of us went to check out the markets and stores while others went for a swim in the pool. After dinner, some of us went to the beach and some of us went to spend some time in the city. This city had only sand streets. Although next to the beautiful ocean far from everything else. After we were again set lose upon the town to shop and wander the beautiful cool sandy streets in the night away from the large cities of Brazil. That night we immersed ourselves in the truly relaxed way of life, savoring every breath of fresh sea air, every touch of cool sand on our toes, every sound of Forall Music from a small bar, every taste of coconut water, every sight of friend or stranger, and every thought of how this would stay with us the rest of our lives. We climbed a huge sand dune and 30 people sat singing and stargazing. Listening to the near sound of waves coming and going in a forever, but unpredictable rhythm as we grew closer.

Day 109

2009-01-22T15:43:00.000-08:00

To start the day we went to a beach called Cumbuco. Cumbuco is a beautiful, private beach with a lot of nature and an incredible view. We went horse-back riding along the shore and after we received fantastic entire body massages. And then we went to a cultural Center to see some modern art. From there, we walked to a board-walk and watched the sunset. We returned to the hotel, had showers and got ready for dinner. We went to a Japanese restaurant and ate a lot of sushi. With full stomachs we went to a hippie-market located just off the ocean where everyone bought lots of souvenirs to always remember Fortaleza.

Day 108

2009-01-21T19:25:00.000-08:00

We arrived today in Fortaleza after a 16 hour bus ride. We had dinner and after that we relaxed because everyone was very tired.

Day 107

2009-01-20T07:21:00.000-08:00

We woke up early and started the historical city tour of Recife and Olinda, filled with tropical and quaint churches from colonial times. It was unbelievably hot. We witnessed a performance of Olinda´s carnival dancers practicing, with their own unique style of dance, reminiscent of a circus show. That afternoon we visited the Modern Museum of Art/Francisco Bonetche in Recife, and ground zero. Afterward, we returned to the hotel to recoup before going out to dinner and to the mall of recife, where some of us watched a movie at the cinema.

Day 106

2009-01-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

Today we the rooster crowed at 8 am, and after breakfast left at 9 am by bus to go to “Porto de Galinhas,” (Port of the Chickens), one of the most beautiful beaches in brazil. We sunbathed on the flat, lovely, soft sanded, white, and warm beach for most of the day, also visiting the adjourning town to buy souvenirs. At 3 in the afternoon, we boarded little boats that took us out to the reefs, where we were able to swim and snorkel in naturally made pools within the reeves themselves, filled with exotic fish that we fed out of our own hands. Thank heavens, we had no shark visitors! That evening we returned to the hotel, showered, went out to a nice dinner, and back to the hotel to sleep.

Day 105

2009-01-18T00:14:00.000-08:00

Another dream began today as we arrived in Recife after driving all day by bus from the city of Salvador. We arrived at night just in time for dinner and excited for the new day of adventures to come.

Day 104

2009-01-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

Today our visit took us to the old town of Salvador. The first place we visited was Farol da Barra. There we took many pictures and negotiated with the sellers. After that that we went shopping at Mercado Modelo. We bought T-shirts, capoeira pants and musical instruments such as berimbaus. After this we went to Pelorinho using the Lazerda Elevator. In Pelorinho we learned more about the history of Salvador. We saw the first hospitals, university of medicine, and the church of Saint Francisco. At the end of the day we went to the same good restaurant as yesterday. We were very happy that we had the opportunity to get to know this unique city.

Day 103

2009-01-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

Today we woke up early, because we went to an island where we could only get there by boat. We were traveling for about 50 minutes. When we arrived everybody was very happy, because the beach was awesome with crystal clear, blue water. The first thing what we did was jump into the water, because it was so hot. We stayed on this beach until 3 p.m. and then we returned to the hotel. At the night we went out to the city to attend a folkloric show full of typical Bahian dances.

Day 102

2009-01-15T09:37:00.000-08:00

Today we left Lençóis and traveled about 7 hours than we came to Praia do Forte in Bahia where we visited Project Tamar. This Project is about the life of turtles where you can learn and see how the turtles live. Our guide showed us 7 types of turtles, which are common in this region of Brazil. We liked seeing the turtles, when they were coming out of the water, and everybody was taking pictures. This is typical for us – exchange students... to take photos of all the funny and beautiful things. We took a lot of photos of the sea because for many exchange students it was the first time to see the sea in Bahia. After that we went to the shops where we could buy presents. There they have lots of interesting things and things which you can find just in Brazil. In the end of the day we went to a great restaurant, where we ate Italian food. Crepes with doce de leite and coconut are really delicious.

Day 101

2009-01-14T15:08:00.000-08:00

Today we woke of very early to begin our activities, because we had many things to do. We left the hotel at 07:30 A.M. and took the bus to a cave called Gruta da Lapa Doce. We were divided in 4 groups of 10 people. While we were in the cave, the guide turned off the lights, so we could see how dark it was. After we the cave, we went swimming a bit, because it was very hot as always. The river was called Mucujezinho, and there was a wonderful waterfall, where everyone went swimming, and jumped down from a cliff. After a lot of jumping, we went to have a back massage at the waterfall, where we could relax, and regain some energy. At the end of the afternoon, we went to a mountain called Morro do Pai Inácio, where we walked uphill for 60 minutes, and after climbed the highest point, for about 45 minutes as well. When we arrived at the top, it was hard to believe, how beautiful it was, and we didn’t know whether to take photos or just enjoy the spectacular sight. Before we went down, the guides told us everything about the mountain, and on the way down, everybody felt a bit sad, because this was the signal, of the ending of another day. We arrived at the hotel, just in time for dinner, and everybody ate a lot, because we had had a day full of activities. After dinner we went to the pool, to meet and see a show of Capoeira. It was really fun, because everyone was wearing the capoeira pants which were given to us, by Belo Brasil. Everybody went learned Capoeira, and fought against the each other and the professors. Our trip to Lençóis went very well, because we learned about the nature and the culture of the region.

Day 100

2009-01-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

The following day, we ate breakfast and after that we went on a hike to a place called ribeirão do Meio, where all the exchange students went down a waterfall, like a water slide. It was very fun, to see the faces my friends, when they went down. After a lot of time, everybody had atleast on sore but, we went to small natural pools, to relax and take in some sun. When it was time for lunch, everybody went to a restaurant called “Bode Grill”. Where we ate some good food, and had ice cream with fruits from the region, for dessert. All the exchange students met in the square for the afternoon activity. A local art is “Salão de Areia” and our guides explained that the artists of region used colored sand to make small paintings in jars. After another little hike, we arrived to a waterfall, where we could bade, and escape the sun. At the end of the day, we went back to the hotel. All went to the pool, where we talked and exchanged ideas about things that had happen during the day. After dinner, we went to the city, to see the stores, and to shop at the super market.

Day 99

2009-01-12T23:13:00.000-08:00

Today we woke up really early at 5:00 AM and got ready, had breakfast, and we were then on the road. We made two stops along the way for snacks on our 16 hour bus ride to Lencois. When arriving in Lencois we had to switch to a different bus because our bus would not fit in the streets. Then we drove through a city of brick roads. Finally after a 10 minute bus ride it seemed we were in paradise and the middle of nowhere or a jungle. We had a delicious dinner at the hotel. It is a resort with beautiful pool area where we went swimming. They even had internet.

Day 98

2009-01-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

Today we had breakfast at the hotel. After this we left the hotel at 9:00 to go on a tour of Brasilia. We first stopped at a very famous Cathedral, and then we went to the governmental offices of Brazil. After this we went on a tour of the city in the bus. We even went and visited the President's Residence and witnessed the change of guard. We then went shopping and for lunch at the shopping mall. Later we went to a temple of all faiths that is open 24 hours. There we had to wear special pants and take your shoes to enter. We then had time to go swimming.

Day 97

2009-01-10T22:23:00.000-08:00

Today I got up at 2:00 AM to get ready and we left at 2:30 AM for Sao Paulo City. We picked up Johanna from Aguai to go as well. We stopped at 4:00 AM for breakfast. Our arrival time in Sao Paulo was 6:30 AM. From there we boarded the bus with the other foreign exchange students to go on our trip to the Northeast. We then drove for 17 hours to Brasilia, which is the capitol of Brazil. During this drive we stopped twice for eating and a break. We arrived at 12:30 AM and went to bed at the hotel.

Day 96

2009-01-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

Today the maid packed my bags for my trip to the Northeast of Brazil. I was very suprised today that it hailed. I also went to the grocery store and got a laugh because my friend and I were speaking English and when I was putting my credit card through the machine the worker said "stop". At the end she said thank you. It was so nice to receive service in English. I left for my trip to the northeast today at 2:00 in the morning!

Day 95

2009-01-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

Today I went out delivering some products to clients in my city. I also went to buy shampoo and I laughed because when I first walked in the store because the lady would not stop telling me she would help me. I said to myself I think I can pick out and buy shampoo myself.

Day 94

2009-01-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

Today I had the pleasure of having a video conference with Mr. Cryan, Ms. Samaska, and Ms. Jones through Skype. It was great talking with all these teachers from Oak Lawn High School plus Dr. Riordan our superintendant. O.L.C.H.S. has just recently purchased the technology to hold video conferences through Skype. Today two very funny things happened. First I asked the maid to wash my desk and she came over to my desk where my laptop was with the hose to wash it. I got very nervous and stopped her, but she was just kidding. She did this because she said you wash things with water, but you clean things other ways. Another funny occurrence that happened today was my host mom said something and I replied "I Love That!", but what I actually was replying to was her saying she didn't feel good and was sick. I mixed my words up and thought she was referring to the refreshing cool weather we had today.

Day 93

2009-01-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

Today I stayed in the house all day because my mom was sick. I just was on the computer. It was a very boring day for me.

Day 92

2009-01-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day for everyone returning back to work and regular their regular schedules? Even today not all places were open yet.

Day 91

2009-01-04T15:44:00.000-08:00

Today we had lunch as a family and my brother returned to Sao Paulo City. In the night I went with my friend Gilberto to Jesus's house where there were a bunch of friends and we watched a movie. The audio was in Portuguese and the legend in English.

Day 90

2009-01-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

Today during the day we had a barbeque with my brother. We had delicious lamb, beef, and sausage. In the evening we went shopping for a refrigerator and washing machine for my host brother's apartment in Sao Paulo. At night I watched a show on the history channel about everything underground in Chicago.

Day 89

2009-01-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

Early this morning my mom's extended family left to go home. In the evening I went with my mom, dad, Selma, and Sue to Rancho Do Dilino which is a restaurant/bar in my city. For an appetizer we had fried pork skins, fried polenta, and fried manduca. I had Carne Seca which is like a corned beef sandwich.

Day 88

2009-01-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

Today I was the first one up again. In the afternoon we went with the extended family on a tour through the mountains nearby and another city. We stopped at a beautiful place called Casgatinha which is a natural waterfall and spring where people can swim and jump from above into the natural pools below. After this we went to the city of Aguas Da Prata which is a neighboring city that is a large tourist attraction. There they have a famous forest and water. We drank the water direct from nature because it is so good. I had corn cake and I love it. I also had Pizza Pasteis which is like filo dough with ham, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese inside. The city of Aguas Da Prata also has a water bottling plant.

Day 87

2008-12-31T20:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from Brazil at 8:00 PM Central Time. Today I found out at the Catholic Church here they have nuns that have never seen the outside World. My mom's sister went to the Catholic Church because her family is Catholic. For lunch we had homemade pasta with homemade sauce. It was very delicious. We also had homemade pasta made with potatoes and alfrado sauce. In the evening we had a New Year's Eve Party and it was to start at 8:00. No one showed up until 10:00 that is how timing is in their culture. There were over thirty people that came both friends and family of my mom and dad. We had a great big meal at midnight. We had fillet mignon, pork, chicken, pasta, rice, and a special pot of beans that is for good luck similar to herring. For dessert we had 3 different kinds of flan. After midnight my family talked with my grandmother in the U.S. on Skype through video chat. It was really nice. Everyone at the party came and gathered around the computer because they wanted to hear and see her. Even though they all did not speak English. I did not go to bed until 3:00 AM when the party ended. I tried to stay up until 4:00 AM to wish everyone in Chicago a Happy New Year, but I was too tired.

Day 86

2008-12-30T06:33:00.000-08:00

My brother came to stay at the house for the holidays now. We had shrimp for dinner with the family. I received a package from my grandmother with some different American products today.

Day 85

2008-12-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

Today we had crab for dinner. The extended family lives in Brasilia which is the capital of Brazil and they brought the crab with them. In the late evening we watched Dude Where's My Car.

Day 84

2008-12-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

We had a bbq today with the extended family. Then in the evening we went to my second host family's house for coffee.

Day 83

2008-12-27T15:15:00.000-08:00

Today I woke up early and was the first one up in the house. I had breakfast and went on the internet. I then went to take a shower and it was ocuppied. There are five extra people staying in the house now for the holidays. My mom's sister, her sister's husband, two son's, and one of the son's girlfriend's. There is also a large dog staying here with them. We had snacks all day and they drank. Then in the evening everyone took a nap except the women and I, so we went out for ice cream. After we watched Finding Nemo in Portuguese.

Day 82

2008-12-26T06:44:00.000-08:00

We got up early and departed for home a day early because my dad was hurt. When we arrived at home my mom's sister and her family were there. My dad had to drive four hours with one hand it was a little scarry.

Day 81

2008-12-25T06:40:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! Today we went to the beach in the morning then had a nice lunch. After that my family and I went walking around by the beach and then we went for ice cream at McDonalds. Most stores were closed today, but about 7:00 all the stores and place opened again. It was much different for me. When we were walking back from getting the ice cream my dad got robbed and his necklace pulled right off him. A guy about 20 years old was on a bicycle riding by on the sidewalk and grabbed for my dad's necklace and knocked him over. Then he left the bike and ran on foot. My dad was on the ground and got hurt. So it was just about the worst Christmas spending the day in hospitals with him. He dislocated his shoulder and got banged up. We went to three hospitals and even had to go to another island on a ferry for him to see a specialist. My dad could not drive so we had to have a porter from the garage in the condo drive us to the other island.

Day 80

2008-12-24T06:37:00.000-08:00

Today it was really different spending Christmas Eve on the beach. Here it was pretty much like any other normal day. We went to the beach and then went home and had a late lunch. My family's tradition is to eat dinner at midnight on Christmas Eve so that is what we did. My host brother came from Sao Paulo city to spend the night. We had a very big meal with chicken, pork loin, salad, and lots of other food.

Day 79

2008-12-23T06:34:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the beach early in the morning then returned to the condo for lunch. In the evening I went walking to the other end of the island where I could see another island about 1 mile away. After that I went out by myself for Chinese food. I have long missed Chinese food since I left the U.S.A.

Day 78

2008-12-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the beach in the late morning then had lunch in the condo. After I went out to explore and found a Burger King. Then I went walking along the beach with my family.