The Newbie Bunch

3 weeks ago I met eleven strangers. Eleven people who now have become some of my great friends in Brazil. Most of us met in Atlanta. When I arrived to the gate at the airport, I started looking around to find who else seemed familiar, which of those people with their ipods or books or tired stares was going to join me on this new journey. Also a few teachers sent pictures out so I'd hoped to find a familiar face. Eventually I overhead two people talking and heard one say "EAB," the name of our school. I introduced myself and from that moment, everyone poured out of their hiding places. We were bonded from then on.

Photo by Vanessa

For whatever reason I'm suddenly reminded of the theme song to the Brady Bunch. Come on, you all know it, right? "It's a story..." Only we're the "Newbie Bunch." Maybe I should have picked the Partridge Family since they tour on a bus and as you'll read we do more of our touring in a van. I don't know that tv program as well though, so the Brady Bunch metaphor will have to do.
Our newbie group ranges in age from 7 to well, a little, uh, more mature is what I'd like to say. Age is only about how you feel anyway.

I want to capture a few of our times together. Since we've been together for more hours in the past 2 weeks than I think I was combined with my family over the entire summer I felt I should do so now.

We've had lots of great times together. From double decker bus tours...

To a day at a Cat Refuge where we saw rescued jaguars and went a swim in a waterfall fed lagoon...

To lunches and dinners at wonderful restaurants. Seriously, I never knew how delicious crepes could be. This could be a dangerous addiction I gain here. Please someone make sure that next time we go, I don't order the all-you-can-eat.

To comparing cell phone package and plan options. Can't believe we'll have them on Monday night!

To hanging out at NET (pronounced net-chi) the Brazilian internet provider to transfer our names and choose which internet/cable options we desired. Do you see the love of togetherness on our faces? This was on Tuesday afternoon of this week.

To traveling in "The Komvey" all across Brasilia. "The Komvey" is a VW van that EAB owns. It looks exactly like one of the Darhma vans on the tv show LOST.

We've riden in the van from Extra (Brazilian version of Target) to the Labor Department to get our Brazilian Work Passports with squealing tires around the scissor exits of the Exio (a main roadway in Brasilia) to so many places inbetween.

I also owe a lot of the photos even on this post to them. Thanks for sharing with me!

We've all had a busy but wonderful first 3 weeks in Brazil. It's definitely reason to celebrate. And I'm glad that we are all taking the time to do that.

Boat Cruise on the Lake photo by Vanessa

Abrao and the Girls photo by Vanessa

Thanks for making my transition to Brasilia and EAB all I could hope for. Looking forward to lots more adventures together.