Brazil Week Two

We spent a crummy night in a terrible Sao Paulo hotel but thankfully we left bright and early the next morning.  We rented a car and drove to Jundiai to make a surprise visit to Thiago and Erica who met Tom many years earlier.  Tom had the privilege of teaching him the gospel, and now I was going to see this man who was now a bishop and meet his wife and son.  We also planned to meet with the other Elder who taught Thiago.  We were surprised to also find Goncala, another person they had taught while there.  (Goncala and Thiago were baptized the same day.)  This was probably my favorite day of the entire trip.  For me, this was what brought closure and true happiness.  I was able to see where Tom had been, who he had taught.  They told me what Tom was like, and they spoke so highly of him.  We surprised them at the church building that morning, then we were invited to the bishop's home for the afternoon.  Homemade Brazilian food, listening to my wonderful husband speak in Portuguese and recover some forgotten friendships and memories.  They are great people and I am so thankful to have met them all!

Thiago, Tom, Guillherme, and Goncala moments after first seeing each other again.

 Erica and Thiago, Mom, Me, Tom, Dad, Guillerme, Goncala, and Diana (Guillerme's wife).

 At Erica and Thiago's home.

One night in Jundiai then we left the next morning for Brotas.  This was an artsy type of town.  We spent a few days there, and of course, they were the coldest days they had seen in a long while.  We knew it would be winter in Brazil, but the weather was still supposed to be beautiful.  More like a Colorado spring (if Colorado had more than 2 days of spring).  Pretty much everything we planned to do in Brotas was outside, so we couldn't let the cold stop us.

Pousada Frangipani was beautiful!

The first full day in Brotas we went on a ropes course high in the trees.  Everywhere we went in Brazil we met friendly happy people, and this day was no exception.  We forgot to bring cameras of any kind (we had so many camera tragedies along the way) and our new friends took pictures of us then emailed them to us!  We were so grateful!

 The we went into town, went shopping and looking around in the town and had a great meal!  If you haven't noticed, all the cities/towns had cobblestone sidewalks which I loved!  Aren't they cool?

The next day was white water rafting and zip lining.  Can I just remind you how COLD it was.  Yes, we were rafting in the cold.  Since nobody in Brazil was used to this weather, they weren't any better equipped for the cold than we were.  We got soaked in our regular clothes.  BRRR!  Did I mention that this rafting was unlike ANY other rafting I have EVER done?  It was WAY more intense and the rapids were HUGE!  I was really, Really, REALLY wet!  It was worth it though!

The next stop was a zip course.  Some of the longest and highest zip lines in the world!  All through the Brazilian countryside and among the stunning waterfalls.

On the way back the Frangipani we stopped for some fresh squeezed sugar cane juice.  The owner of the restaurant invited us in so he could explain what he was making, then he took us on a tour of the grounds where they grew everything that they served.  He was so nice, and the juice was delicious!

Next stop was Campinas.  We stayed at a beautiful hotel in the "silicone valley" of Brazil.  We looked around, went to a mall, and then FINALLY got to see the temple that they were building way back when Tom served there.  He was there when the broke ground, and while most of it was built, but he never got to see it finished.  So fun to be there together!  It was Tom's birthday, so that was a perfect way to spend the day.  That night we find a fantastic churrascaria where we ate until we were in pain.  It was delicious and so inexpensive!  What a way to end the trip!  We drove back to Sao Paulo and flew out the next morning.  It was sad to leave, but I was dying to see my babies!