A Strange Arrival

I arrived Thursday the 18th around 11pm Brazil time (10pm Ohio time) in the São Paulo, Brazil Guarulhos airport. When I didn't see my good friends and host family from 2009 standing there to greet me, I knew something was not right, and had a strong feeling it was my fault. After a 5 minute or so wait, I made my way to the pay phones on the second floor and called my host family. About three weeks ago I incorrectly informed my host mom that I would be arriving on the 19th and because of this, my host family was of course not expecting me. To make matters worse, Rodolfo, my host mother's father passed away that same day, which was also my host mom's birthday. I felt horrible for adding to the stress of my friends.

After the realization that no buses would be going to Piracicaba that late, four pay-phone calls  (The airport didn't have any stores selling SIM cards) and one $165 reais taxi ride, I arrived at my host father's sister's house in São Paulo around 1am Brazil time. There I was graciously greeted and welcomed into Marielena's home. I spent the night there and in the morning gave my thank yous and good byes, and took a taxi to the bus station.

I purchased a direct 12:30 bus ticket. Like a lost stubborn foreigner I wondered around the bus station with 90 pounds of rolling luggage and another 15 on my back looking for platform forty. I went outside and saw a ramp with a sign above it that said TO PLATFORMS. At this point the luggage was already starting to wear me out, but I took a deep breath and made my way up the ramp leading to the second floor of the bus station. This trek was a very awkward and embarrassing work out. No one else traveling up or down the ramp was carrying two huge suitcases which made me realize about half way through that somewhere in the station there was a more convenient way to get to platform forty and that I looked stupid. Oh well.

This hike broke my pride and I promptly asked for directions. I made it to the platform with ten minutes to spare and made my way towards seat number 12 on the bus. Seat 12 was taken by Mrs. seat 11. I greeted her, smiled and sat happily in my lucky number 11. What happened next was quite interesting...

Mrs. 11: Are you going to Piracicaba

Me: Yes, you are too?

Mrs. 11: Yes. I am going to a funeral

Me: huh...I am too.

Mrs. 11: Whose funeral?

Me: Rodolfo

Mrs. 11: Me too!

Mrs. seat 11 happened to be a friend of the family. We chatted a bit and then both ended up sleeping for the majority of the ride. She let me use her cellphone to confirm with my host sister Ju that she would be picking me up from the bus station....lalala..

Then there was the funeral. Everyone's state has logically been affected by Rodolfo's death. He was very sick, he had been battling cancer for over a year, and his passing was expected, but, you know, it's sad. 

I have arrived in a dramatic and stressful moment, but I am happy to be here with my friends. School starts in a few weeks. I am excited to have this opportunity and this challenge.

More stories to come.