Last Day in Brazil 12-15-09

Our wonderful apartment. Elione, Flore, and Claudia

My rug store ladies Silvana and Claudette

Doorman at the apartment Cicero

Brito, the Zelador at our apartment.

One day left.

Marino, Adriana, John, Eduardo, & Regina. John and me with his plaque.

Front row: Eduardo, Molina, Danielle, Simone, & Regina. Back: Dirceu, Marcos, Alex, Auri, Carlos, Thiago, Cintia, Sele, Carlos, Eduardo, Caesar, Mara, Julien, Mattavelli, Kelli, Eduardo, Vanessa, Adriana, Marcelo, Sonya, Wilker, Paulo Sergio, Flavio, Alessandro, Sergio, Marcia, Marino and Michel.

Everyone should have one Rock Star moment in their life. John had one today when his friends at work saluted him and said good-bye. He was very emotional and barely said anything but there were lots of hugs and many sweet words plus the biggest chocolate cake I've seen here and a wonderful plaque. There aren't words to say how much he has cherished his time at the Plant here. They are all incredible people and most of all they are very good friends.

I saw my first fire truck in 4 1/2 years. There was a bad wreck on my way to John's party. A bus crashed into another bus. 7 ambulances and 2 fire trucks. Some of the ambulances had two people in them. It was a scary sight for me. I guess since everything here is built of concrete there is rarely a need for a fire truck.

Tonight we walked through Iguatemi Mall for the last time. I bet we've been there 300 times in 4 1/2 years. It is very important to have a place to walk when it is scorching hot. We are amazed at how many stores have closed and new stores opened. I don't think there are 20 stores open that were there 4 1/2 years ago. Thank goodness Outback is still there. It has become our weekly place to eat on the weekend. It is funny because we do not eat at Outback in the States.

We depart Brazil tomorrow, December 15. What a blessing it has been for both of us.

I see a diet in my future 12-13-09

Pig in the buffet at the mall. Family Coudry

John and me with Julia, Cassia, Pierre, & Marina Coudry

Cassia & Mauricio

Adriana and John.

We have been eating out way too much. I see a diet in my close future. We were treated to a delicious lunch at Adriana's on Saturday Afternoon. I told Cris that the roast, potatoes, onions and pasta were all very American. It was so delicious. Then tonight we said goodbye to the Coudry Family with pizza at their home. We also got to meet Maurico, Cassia's boyfriend.

We told them they have a place to stay anytime they come to the States.

Priscila, David & Stella December 11, 2009

Priscila, David and Stella

We ate pizza with Priscila, David and Stella. We are so blessed to have known such a wonderful couple. Stella even tried to say Mimo.

Seven days and counting

Romana's has put new covers on the parking area. It is so nice and now they have double the space. The guys loved having their pictures taken. The men are working on the side of our apartment. Notice the hand cranks. They scared me to death but they always smiled and waved to me as we had already taken down our curtains.

Christmas tree at Galleria. Decorated with elephants. Display of carrots at the grocery store.

Mary Cavese's favorite tree.

Elephant Christmas at Galleria.

Volkswagen's for sale at the mall.

The mascot at the gas station where they have the BEST cheese bread.

This amazing man walks these huge dogs every day three times a day. I see him all the time and we talk as he speaks beautiful English. He owns a scuba diving business and teaches lessons.

One week and counting

John and I met Fernanda for dinner. It was delicious.Stewart, Pierre, John and Sam!Marina, Kathy, Annabel, & Kyle

The Guh Family took us to Greg's Hamburgers. It was so delicious.

John in front of our packed apartment.

Well, tomorrow they load the truck. It has been an incredible four days with the two men from Gerson & Grey. Their names are Bispo and Cido and they are so nice. They are also very patient. I think I did pretty good by myself. John had to work. Since our move was a surprise we were not totally prepared so we had a lot of "stuff". Now it is boxed and wrapped and re-wrapped with paper and cardboard from at least two or three trees. There is no way anything can arrive in the U.S. broken and it be their fault. It was perfectly done. I am sure they have found me an interesting soul. I worked on my rug and watched them and numbered the boxes. How hard is that! I am also sure they think I should speak better Portuguese and they would be right.

We had a little going away party on Saturday with our friends. Kyle & Sam, Marina & Pierre, and Annabel & Stewart met us for some delicious pizza to say farewell. They have been such a huge blessing for us and for their friendship we are most grateful. Then on Sunday we said goodbye to our precious Landlord's. The Guh family have been here for us through thick and thin. I don't know what we would have done without them.

I have walked a lot lately (I need to walk a lot as we are eating out way too much) and will miss being able to walk to the grocery store, meat market, fruit market, coffee shop, and bank. I think this is why you do not see many overweight people here in Brazil. They walk and walk and walk. I hope I will keep this up when I am in the U.S. Claudina Guh walked with us Saturday. We went to all the shops that we love and to the hippy market. It was a fun day. I wish she had been meeting me more.