Last Brazil Post, For Real: Traveling Again

So Wednesday night Rachel, Feliciano, Patrick, Augusta, (did I mention they're engaged?) and I all stuffed into Rachel's car with 3 large bags, a box, 2 backpacks, and my huge purse. We were squished to be sure and the mood was dismal. The weather matched our feelings. It was raining and very cold. Once we got to the airport we had to check in. There was a station there where you had to answer questions about your luggage. Is this yours? Did you pack them? When? Where? Do you have any lighters? Have you accepted anything from strangers?

After all that we had about 2 hours before Patrick and I needed to go through security to go to our gate. So we sat around for awhile and then we decided we were hungry. We got pizza and bread sticks at Pizza Hut. It was pretty tasty but the service was really slow. After that we didn't have much time left. Eventually it was time for our tearful goodbyes. Not fun. I really want to come back but who knows what will happen, right? Oh I forgot to mention my tearful goodbyes with Malcom, Ammon, and Eliane earlier that night. I am going to miss everyone so much!

So then Patrick and I walked away from our loved ones and went through security, which, compared to security in the states, was easy. We only had about half an hour of waiting at our gate before we boarded our plane. And can you believe our plane wasn't full again? So I got 2 seats to sleep in and I was exhausted so I pretty much went right to sleep. Again my sleep was full of tossing and turning but better then nothing. It was actually really freezing on the plane. Poor Patrick didn't have a jacket and he was almost shivering in the morning when he came to sit next to me. So together we made it through customs (worse than in Brazil. Actually the customs guy who talked to me was really rude and basically called me stupid. Whatever. I made it through just fine anyway.), getting our bags, rechecking our bags, and then through the much more stringent USA security. We finally had to part ways when we had to get on the train thing to go to our separate gates. Bye Patrick!

Well, out of a whole month of smooth traveling something had to go wrong, right? When I got to Salt Lake one of my bags was lost. Crap. Luckily it was the one full of my clothes instead of the ones with gifts. Yay! Ryan and Stacy picked me up at the airport with Avery and they had this for me.

So cute, right? I was thrilled. So we drove home complaining about TSA and lost baggage all the way. When we got back to my parent's house there was another sign from Genna and Becca. Yay!

I handed out gifts and then we ate lunch and lots of Brazilian candy. I was so glad to see everyone and I think they were glad to see me too. Genna and Avery loved the clothes I got for them. Genna especially loves her little Festa Junina dress. Also I started teaching her to say "oi" and "tchau." So now she says, "Oi, Hi!" "Tchau, Good bye!"

I didn't get Avery a Festa Junina outfit because it was just jeans and a plaid shirt. Plus I didn't even think he would wear the hat let alone a whole outfit. You can also see some Brazilian candy off to the left.

Genna in the Brazil shirt I got for her. I also got one for Avery and Kate.

After a quick nap with Genna it wasn't too long before my bag was delivered. Whew. I was finally completely home safe and sound. So far it's good to be back. When I have to move past people I still find myself wanting to say, "desculpe." And it was weird that I could understand everything at church today. :) What a wonderful adventure!

Once again, thanks for reading! Tchau tchau!