Campinas

I had arranged with Alex and Karen that I would walk from the Campinas bus terminal to Paulo and Loren’s house. I think I walked with a spring in my step, as I was back in familiar surroundings again. It was great to see them again and I was mugged by the three boys, when they returned home from school. I hung out with them all day, waiting for Karen to come and collect me. She was a little late, arriving in the late afternoon to take me to her other sister’s house. When I walked through the door at Nashi’s place and started up the stairs, Sophie, her daughter saw me and threw herself at me, calling out my name. I think I almost lost my footing and almost fell back down the stairs. It was such a great environment to be in before leaving to Rio. I really enjoyed my time with them and I felt part of the family.

In my last night in Campinas, I went out with Alex and Karen for dinner. We chatted about my time in Brazil and what I thought about things and what I had experienced. It was a nice end to a nice stay in Brazil. I stayed at their place that night and stayed with them, as Karen was going to drop me off at the Bus station, so I could go to Rio. There were more people that I would have liked to have said goodbye to in person, but time did not allow. I hope that they read this and see that I was thinking of them, even though I did not say goodbye in person.