My first view of brazil was from looking out the window down at Sao Paulo. It was night, and the town was a beautiful blanket of lights for as far as i could see. If i looked closely, i could see little cars on the road below. It looked so peaceful and beautiful.
The airport in brazil was smelly. And it was in shoddy condition; i hope it was just because they were rebuilding or something. I arrived around 10 and i was tired and disoriented and i didn't want to be there. I just wanted to be back in florida. It was cold and not warm and friendly, even though it said 'welcome' on the wall in big letters. I had to wait in line for 20 mins before i was checked into customs by a very gruff brazilian man who could only say "step behind the yellow line" while he took my picture and fingerprints. After almost having a heart attack because i couldn't find my luggage, i did.
I walked outside to be greeted by a girl and a man with a sign that said "Heather McReynoldf Britto Central." I felt very cool to have my own sign. I was greeted with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and was whisked away into a little britto-designed chevy.
They had picked out Elvis to listen to for the ride home, since i was american, after all. During the thirty minute ride home, i gawked out the window while robson (and every other driver) drove like a maniac. When Elvis was over, Liz put on some very popular brazillian singer and "translated" her lyrics for me.
Home was on the fifth floor of a chic apartment building, and of course, it was filled with britto pieces. I was shown to the orange room (everything everything was orange!) which belonged to robson's daughter, the very beautiful renata. It took me awhile to fall asleep with all the noise and traffic outside, but eventually i did.
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