Feliz Almost Natal

Have been back in Brazil since the 17th. Rio de Janeiro was fantastic. I'm now up in Recife, in the Northeast, staying with Paulinha and her family, who are generous and making it very easy for me to stay here. I'm here at least til the new year, possibly longer - I may go back down to Floripa, try to meet up with a friend of mine I met in Lisbon, or I may stay here and do a road trip with Paulinha and some other ex-exchange students who are coming to stay here after Christmas. I dunno.

Merry Christmas, everyone. And those of you in the States: please try not to freeze.

Check!

So Machu Picchu has been checked off my list - Dottie and I went yesterday, and now we're killing time back in Cuzco waiting to return to Lima. Machu Picchu was fantastic, by the way, absolutely gorgeous and frighteningly high up in the mountains. I really do not do well with heights. In any case, the day was everything I needed it to be, and I'm very glad I went despite being, if I'm honest, not particularly happy to leave Brazil for Peru. Yes, I am firmly of the opinion that Brazil is the most interesting country in South America. I have not been proved wrong yet by Peru, as much fun as it's been. But obviously it's been great to see Dottie again, to get to do this with someone who loved Mom and knew how important this was to her. Like I said - I'm really glad I went. I'll put up a photo or two as soon as I get around to it. Heh.

Anyway, I'm gonna be back in Brazil on the 17th, and I've basically got planned until after the New Year. I'm spending just under a week in Rio de Janeiro, which I'm really excited about given I'm not really sure what one does there when it's not Carnaval. I guess we'll see! Then I'm gonna go to Recife to see Paulinha, who I haven't seen in like five years, which should be amazing. I'm staying with her through Christmas and the new year, but after that... I dunno. I may go down to Itacare in Bahia, see if I can meet up with a friend from Lisbon. Or maybe go up the coast from Recife, beach by beach? At this point, I dunno. Should be fun, though, whatever I end up doing.

In Peru

Have met up with Dottie! So far it's been fantastic. We leave the hotel in about 20 minutes (at 5 AM - augh) to fly to Cuzco.

Peru!

Heading to Lima. Actually, to Sao Paulo, and from there to Lima. I will very much miss Florianopolis. And surfing. But I will miss Floripa longer than surfing, because I am positive I will be surfing again soon. Possibly while I'm in Peru.

Ate ja, Brasil!