Hello, Much has happened since i last updated things here...but in short: I a few sunny days in venezuela before jetting from Caracas to Sao Paulo, Brazil. where i have been lodging with some very warm and generous members of Marie's family. had a wonderful week lunching, getting my nails done, shoe-shopping, (3hrs in one shop, i might add. we walked out with 10 pairs of shoes between us!) and avoiding the rather surprising freezing cold temperatures!have had to purchase a pairof jeans its so cold! Anyway, i am currently in Rio (as you may have gathered...) and after a rather interesting few days i have parted company with Jen and Marie in order to spend a bit more time living it up here in Rio. Went up the Pao de Azucar/Sugar loaf mountain today and went up to Christ the Redeemer yesterday. This city truely is unlike ANYTHING i have ever seen before. it is STUNNING. the business districts and main sahopping streets are mere minutes away from spectacular beaches on a backdrop of monumental rainforests and mountains. truely unique. So i'm going it alone (again) for the next few days before heading off to meet chrissy in Costa rica on monday. Thinking of heading down ihla grande for a few days before catching my flight out of Sao Paulo on sunday. I have met some interesting people already...a newly qualified doctor called ed from Bristol who is younger than me. shock horror! and a tall gangly chap from Kings Langley ofall places! hoping to go out for a few drinks and a bitof culture this evening before catching some rays on Ipanema tomorrow. Hope all is well for you all wherever you are... All my (lonely) love, FXx