The Motherland

I have returned from the Motherland. The trip was rushed, I didn't even get a chance to visit my hometown or any of the numerous Jesuses that Brasil is so famous for. I did however get to use my portuguese, eat til I was sick, enjoy those foods that I miss and meet family and friends that I adored.

I was sad to leave and I can't wait to go back.

Carnival here I come!

Inagural International Non-rev Attempt: Mission Accomplished

The ticket guy in the employe service center confirmed that we would be in business class, but I still didn't want to count my chickens, considering how unlucky I tend to be. Upon arrival I checked the ship number and sure enough, it was one of mine. Funny... I somewhat remembered that tail number for some reason. Some research told me that this was the plane that diverted last week for oil loss. Goody. At least it was fixed! Anyway, off we went in seat 1F and 1G. Everyone was right. There's no other way to go.

I was a little emotional. All that work, all that time busting my ass. Never an idea that it would lead to flying first class for free to visit my family for the first time in two decades. Life is good.

We were handed champagne when we sat down, we had a five course meal complete with a menu, wine, a linen table cloth for the tray table, real china and silverware, linen napkins and even our own personal salt and pepper shakers. And you're given a little travel kit with eye shades, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, lotion and chapstick. So, following many glasses of champagne, red wine and port, I passed out (fully reclined, no less) in the middle of Hairspray.

I awoke over cloudy Brasil. I didn't see a thing until final approach. A little trip to the duty free shops and the acquisition of some cubans for boy and we were on our way. 5 hours, some traffic and a lot of ghetto later we arrived in the town that most of my family lives in, called Pouso Alegre. Following a massive lunch with some friends of my Grandma, we went to my great grandma's house to say hello. Four generations of the women in my family, sitting there all together. That was something else, even though she's not completely lucid.

A nap and dinner with my great uncle and aunt finished out the day. Now this whole time difference and not sleeping thing is catching up to me, so it's bedtime.

I'm still investigating that whole toilet flushing backwards thing. Thanks to boy for the reminder. And it seems that every town features a "big Jesus," aka a large "Cristo Redentor" statue. I still want to see the real one, though.

And back comes my native language...

Return to the Motherland

Today I embark on my first international attempt at non-reving (slang for using those flight benefits.) And, most appropriately, my inagural trip will be my long awaited return to the motherland south of the equator.

I'm looking forward to it in ways and not in others. I get to meet family and hopefully learn more about myself. It will be quick, and I have to return to work just 1.5 hours after we land Monday morning. I'll only get to see little Jesus, not big ass Jesus. Not to mention that my travel companion and I tend to butt heads a lot. Good thing my next therapy session is Tuesday morning.

Perhaps I will remember things that I have forgotten. Perhaps my portuguese will come rushing back to me. Perhaps I'll acquire an obscene amount of coffee.