My last days in Brazil have been a complete 180 turn from Rio. Seeing other parts of the country that greatly differ from Rio and meeting amazing and beautiful, inspirational people. I wasn't blessed with wifi, though so I've been writing anyway and just waiting to post it all!

Tuesday morning-
Well here I am, on the plane! On my way to Brasilia. It wasn't too difficult to say goodbye, I'll see Ricardo in 9 days in San Diego. I have exciting things ahead of me and I think we all know, I'm not exactly dying to stay. Poor Ricardos mom though was sad to say goodbye. She said that that's one of her faults, she gets too attached too fast. She said she's already gotten accustomed to having me around and saying "good morning" everyday and doing nails together. I wrote her a nice thank you note because she helped me tremendously from offering me a home to picking lice out of my hair. She's planning to visit Colorado in the spring so hopefully I'll see her then.

As for Brasilia, I don't know what to expect. I've seen pictures of Uncle Al's girls and boystowns in Korea and the Philippines but who knows if this is similar. I also know that the sisters are very nice but I hope they don't mind my tank top (it's raining and still hot! I was going to ask my grandma if it matters but I didn't have time). It could be worse, Im not wearing my cut short shorts or my little tye-dye dress. I'm sure it will be fine. But I'm anxious to get there and meet the sisters and see the school. I hope I can play with the girls that live there. It will be the ultimate test of my Portuguese.

Tuesday afternoon-

Wow...wow is all I can say. Good thing I didn't have expectations, because this would knock them out of the water. I don't know where to begin. First, 2 MEXICAN sisters and another Mexican woman from the administration picked me up from the airport, talk about fate! When we introduced ourselves and we asked "Portuguese? English?" And one said "Espanol?" I thought, thank the Lord I can communicate! They took me to a nice cathedral and showed me the government buildings, then when we arrived to the school, it was unbelievable. It's about 3 main buildings and a few others for a gym, dance hall and pool. And lots of open space with grass, playground, soccer field... But that wasnt the unbelievable part. Upon arrival, there were all 900 girls age 12 to 16 singing and welcoming me. I couldn't believe it! They had handmade crocheted flowers and a necklace and a sign for me. It was beautiful and kind of embarrassing, I didn't know what to do. They were so excited to say hello and when I took out my camera, not one (all 900) was shy. I got a grand tour of the whole school and was mesmerized. These girls have amazing facilities, they're learning how to design and make clothes, cook, play sports, play instruments. And the tools and materials they had for training to be doctors and dentists... They were cleaning each others teeth with real tools! And starting IVs on each other. And they were all so excited to show me their classrooms, dorm rooms, etc. I can't believe that this whole place is built on donations. The infrastructure and quality is as good or better than my own school at home! This place (upon my great Uncle Al's wishes), along with others in 5 other countries, was built with the intention to make these kids self sufficient and self confident. These girls are exactly that. And even more, theyre all-star athletes! They compete against other schools and the area and have trophies stacked on top of metals. They've even been invited on multiple occasions to compete nationally and have won many First Places.

Tuesday evening-
After a quick nap, I went with Sister Margarita to mass. 900 girls all lined up straight singing prayers. Some of the girls played in the band. I noticed many girls kept glancing at me and smiling, I'm sort of embarrassed by so much attention, I dont know how to act (please refrain from sarcastic remarks lol). After mass, a little girl came on stage and in English invited me up to the front for a special show. One show after another, girls performed in costumes ballet, samba and Tae Kwon Do. It was great and they were so proud. But after, they brought me onstage to accept gifts! Hand-sewn scarf and handmade rosaries and other beautiful things. I was totally surprised and my face hurt from smiling. The best part of all was after, about 50 girls or so all crowded around to hug me one by one. I hugged each one really tight and thanked them.

These girls are so amazing, so smart and so lucky to be taken from poor areas and given a future. They clearly appreciate it and take advantage of the opportunities. I can't believe someone in my family created this, starting in the Philippines and reaching to Korea, Guatemala, Mexico and Brazil. This was definitely a special trip and probably the best way to leave Brazil, with a huge smile and happy heart. I'd love to keep in touch with the school and the girls and return or better yet, visit others like the ones in Mexico.

Wednesday morning-
I'm already about to board a plane for Sao Paulo and continue with my original travel plans. I'm so sad to leave when I only just arrived but I'm so grateful to have met those girls. Last night we spent a few hours walking around outside, talking and later we pulled out a stereo and danced. These girls are amazing dancers and we had so much fun showing off our different moves. This morning some of them lined up to say goodbye and they sang me a song, I almost cried. I can't believe how much respect and gratitude they gave me with barely knowing me at all. They consider Father Al their father (especially because most girls have rough lives at home and many don't have a father), and they told me that they were my aunts which had us laughing a lot.

Now I'm going to Sao Paulo and I'm excited to meet the other sisters and kids there. I also asked Sister Margarita if I could visit the girlstown in Chalco, Mexico close to Mexico City. I hope I'm able to, there are almost 4000 girls! I can't even imagine how to organize 4000 girls.

I just wish that I could have spent more time here or even taught English at this school instead of in Rio. I enjoyed my teaching experience but this would have been a lot more special and fulfilling for me. Now I'm wondering if maybe next year I could try to visit another one, maybe even stay longer and help teach or something.