Brazil Through Emails - Day 1

Hi Mama,

The hotel is fine – costs a fortune (ie $1500 for 4 nights) but is not what you’d get in the US for such a price. :) The hotel is really just across the street from the office, which I feel very glad about. It is overcast but very warm and humid (ie 75 degrees) so that’s been nice, though I haven’t been able to spend much time out there.

I did sleep some on the plane – more than I ever have before, but one only sleeps so well on a flight. :) I’m exhausted, but will be alright. I’m not sure what I’ll do for dinner, maybe Room Service, and just work/relax at the hotel. I do have some homework that’s due tomorrow that I need to get in.

The drive from the airport to the hotel was miserable – 40 kilometers (about 20 miles) and took 2 hours! I kept falling asleep in the most awful position for my neck. There was not a whole lot to do on the drive because my driver didn’t speak any English and very little Spanish. We exchanged conversation for maybe a total of 3 minutes, and I was very glad when we arrived at the hotel.

I am on the 11th floor of the Mercure Hotel in Sao Paulo. I arrived here this morning at about 9:00 (5:00 your time) and got a hold of TJ right away: I tried calling him 3 or 4 times before but couldn’t get it to go through. I was very relieved to finally hear his voice. I spoke with him for just a couple minutes then jumped in the shower and got ready for the day. I got to the office around 10 and we spent a couple hours working before going to lunch with a group from the office. Lunch is their biggest meal so we had a lot of food, but I was full after 1 plate (we went to a buffet). We went back to the office and I worked until 7: others stayed later.

I came back to the hotel and ate a delicious sandwich downstairs (Panini with cheese and tomato) which was quite an adventure since they didn’t speak a lick of English. :) They would carry me out things to show me and I would point. It was, in the end, a good sandwich. Now I am back to my room. I’m going to do some more work, talk with TJ once he’s off work, and get my homework done for tomorrow. Then I’ll hit the sack!

All in all, I’m doing well. Having flashbacks of being in Spain and feverishly writing you every day, wishing I was there – funny, I still feel the same way.

I love you,

Rachel