Upon Landing in Brazil

After a smooth trip to the airport, thanks to my Mom and Brother in Law, we departed Detroit with 11 check-in bags labeled "heavy", 8 allowed carry-ons, 1 baby doll, and a car seat. The kids were awake for two of the ten and a half hour flight and woke to breakfast and the initial descent into Sao Paulo. We breezed through immigration and emerged into the crazy baggage claim of Guarulhos International Airport. Camryn and I set up home base while David and Aidan went to get the luggage. After 30 minutes of fighting for position, they retrieved 10 of the 11 bags. This is when the fun began. One hour later, with a claim filed, we proceded through customs, hoping the Visteon representative had not left us at the airport. Nelson was waiting and led us outside to our bus, yes bus. We enjoyed the drive to the apartment where we turned the corner to discover that the street was closed for a market. The bus backs up the street which is Sao Paulo's equivalent of San Francisco and around the block we go to meet the relocation representative. Upon entering the apartment complex, we see a familiar face, the girl who sat next to David on the plane. Her Mother lives in our building. This was mind blowing considering the city is 20 million people. Up the service elevator we go, five people and five bags to emerge to a door that will not unlock. Back down we go to the social elevator. Up we go again and finally get into the apartment. It is all that we remember minus the scary man sculpture hanging from the ceiling and the views are more breathtaking than we remember. After a few more funny mishaps, like David getting stuck in the elevator, a trip to Walmart, driving in circles a few times, we had our first home made dinner in Sao Paulo, PB&J sandwiches and potato chips.

In spite of having no appliances (or air conditioning), we're amazingly comfortable here. We've eaten at several excellent restaurants, shopped at the amazing mall, swam in our pool, explored our neighborhood, and got an invitation to dinner from an extremely rich German man who thought David and the kids were Arian.

We spent New Years Eve at home. As darkness fell over the city, of which we have 360 degree views, the fireworks started. David and I shared a bottle of champaigne watched the city flash with life. I wish I could say I made it to midnight, but I'm still catching upon rest. It didn't matter though because when the clock struck twelve, the sky exploded in all directions with the biggest displays of fireworks I've ever seen. I kissed David Happy New Year and fell right back to sleep, feeling more content than I have in a long time. Maybe it's because I feel that 2011 will be the best ever or maybe it's because I have no expectations for once. The only resolution I have is to embrace the Brazilian way and learn Portuguese enough to survive. Tomorrow we're venturing to the zoo where we hope to encounter lots of exotic creatures and another human being who speaks English. They're a very rare breed here. Happy New Year everyone.

Note: I'm posting this on someones unlocked wifi. Hopefully they won't catch us for a while.