Again, please accept my apologies. Since my birthday/pre-Brazil post I've been running non-stop.
Brazil was AMAZING! Our hotel was right off Copacabana beach, literally across the street. From the top level we could see the statue of Jesus and all along the beach of Copacabana. The first day full day we were there we were supposed to go see Jesus but since so me individuals were not ready to leave when we were scheduled to, we weren't able to get tickets that day. So instead we went to Pan de Azucar, or Sugarloaf Mountain. It was really pretty and we could see so much of Rio. We ate at a really good restaurant (like every day there) and in the afternoon we "toured" the beaches; there are no private beaches allowed in Rio but many of the beaches attract similar groups of people: surfers, families, young people, old people. There is a beach for everyone. Tuesday we went to see Jesus but it was so cloudy we couldn't really see anything. It was kind of disappointing since the day before had been so clear. That afternoon we were dropped off at a mall for lunch. I got pizza, which was surprisingly good, and then my friends and I walked around for a bit. We found a Starbucks and I got two Brazil mugs,one for myself and one for Megan. Wednesday was a free day. I met up with a few ACA kids to try to go surfing/learn how to surf. Our tour guide had told us that Ipanema beach was the place to go, so we caught taxis and went to that beach. Unfortunately, it was still kind of cloudy and apparently the surfboard rental people dont set up shop on cloudy days. So we just played around on the beach, swam some, and relaxed. Thursday morning we left our hotel at 2:30am to catch our flight. We had a connection at Iguazu Airport and then to the local airport in Buenos Aires instead of the big international airport. It was all around a good trip and very relaxing, which we all needed.
As much as those 3 days in Brazil were relaxing, the last few weeks have been anything but! I have had an exam every week since our return, first we had a week for parciales (midterm exams). But since many of our classes hadn't had enough class periods yet, we had one the following week, one last week, and one this week. Next week is finals for three of my classes but I have to wait to take my Grammar final and Composicion final until the last Wednesday and thursday respectively.
Two more weeks and then I'll be finishing up all my packing and coming home. Unfortunately, we all have to leave the UAP together. Why is that unfortunate you may ask? Because I will end up being in the airport for almost 12 hours before my flight leaves. There is one student whose flight leaves at 11 am, mine leaves at 8:30 pm. It will be a long two days of travel home but I'm looking forward to it. It is time to come home.
Soon after I get back I plan on posting pictures. The internet is too slow here to be able to post them right now.
Have a great weekend!
