Catch up
Hi guys
This is just a quick blog to tell you about the rest of our time in Brazil
After we left Rio, Rod and I traveled 2000 Km North, to the Capital of the state of Piaui - Terasina. This is where my mum was brought up, and where most of her family now live. There we were reuinted with Mum and our Brazilian family. It took us a while to get into speaking Portuguese 24/7 but once over the initial shy period we really enjoyed getting to know our cousins again. We had a great few weeks, with plenty of family get togethers, parties and lots of caipiringhas!
Dad arrived in Teresina on the 23rd of July (he had spent a couple of really enjoyable days with Beth and her family in Vitoria). Dad’s arrival was good excuse to have some more family get togethers. Then we traveled 600 Km south to a town called Christino Castro, where Mum and Dad used to work and where the ‘Development for all Programme’ is located. Miguel was waiting for us at the bus station and Totinha had prepared a great breakfast. Miguel and Totinha work with mum and dad coordinating the Development for all Programme and looking after the volunteers. We stayed with Totinha and Giovanna (Totinha’s daughter), Miguel made himself available 24/7 to take us out to meet friends and communities out in the bush. During our time in Cristino the religious and social festejos were taking place. Hundreds of people had come into town from the bush to enjoy the celebrations.
We made lots of new friends in Cristino, enjoyed the festejos and trips out into the bush. We had a great day traveling out to the mountains that over look Cristino. It was really fun traveling on the back of an open truck and standing on top of the moutain looking at the great views. After 9 days we returned to Terasina. The last few days with family were brilliant and it was really sad to leave them all. Once back in Rio Beth and Bia really looked after us taking us to the Maracana stadium and the botanical gardens as well as down town Rio and a romote beach.
Our time in Brazil was amazing, and we all loved it, and we hope to go back soon!