libertade!

Oi! Tudo ótimo por aquí. Just got back from a few days in Leçois, a wonderful little town known for it´s trekking, second-largest waterfall in Brazil, natural swimming holes and just wonderful-ness in general! It was a much needed escape after an intense last few days in the program. Tomorrow I´m flying to Rio to finish up the trip. I´ll have a few days with my buddy Leo and then will have the last few days on my own in Ilha Grande. I can´t wait.
The end of the program went as smoothly as it could. I think we were more interested in getting more quality bonding time in than with getting more quality Portuguese learning time but, either way, they were wonderful days. Our two local spots: La Chuleta, a dive-like spot where a small band plays samba music a few nights a week and where favelados go to relax; and, Gay Alley (my nickname), where two local gay bars housed many a nice drink, will be missed. People in general are just so incredibly generous, open and non-judgemental here. Things at home even got a little smoother here in the last few days. I had some bonding moments with Zélia as she expressed her pleasure at having me and as I got more comfortable just being around here--and coming/going as I pleased. Too bad it was only in the last three days! I am back here at the house tonight, one last time, and will say goodbye to all tomorrow.
On the busride back from Leçois today I was adding to my list of reasons why I need to come back and why this might just be the place for me. The povo brasileiro truly is wonderful and the natural wonders match it. The language, music, dance, and way of life just all feel so right in some way. hooray. estou muito, muito obrigada na vida. I´ll be back stateside in a little over a week...am trying to not count the days.
abraços massivos.