Back in the USA

Awww... I made back to the US of A yesterday. Parting with my host family was definitely harder than I thought it would be. Our flight out of Salvador was a 1 pm, so the whole day up until that hour was so tense. I kept trying to keep myseldf occupied so I wouldn't have to think about the moment I had to leave. But, the hour finally came, and I couldn't handle it. I tried to be so strong because I didn't want my family to see me balling. However, as I began to walk out the door, giving hugs to my family, I broke down. And then I cried even harder because they began to cry. It was so dramatic. As my Brazilian brother would have said, "Que drama!"
As we flew out of Salvador to Sao Paulo, the sun was setting. The orange and red rays of sunlight kissed the clouds and the horizon of the ocean. It felt as if Bahia was giving us a farewell, but the good-bye did not feel terminated. Bahia was offering an embrace with an open door to "volte sempre" (return always).
My experience in Salvador was priceless. I definitely feel that one day life will call me back to that amazing, colorful, vivacious, peculiar, yet precious city. Thanks to all who took an interest in my journey. God Bless! :-D

Pics of Aracaju!

Aracaju

Hey everyone! Well, I´m in a different city right now called Aracaju!! My friend, Mara, and her family are from this city so she wanted me to come and visit her. It has been wonderful so far!! The beaches here are absolutely beautiful! Everything is so nice and clean, every one is so nice! My colleague, Sarah, and I are staying with Mara´s family here. There are 11 people in one house!! It´s a little crazy but at the same time it is great because the company is so comfortable.
We are going to the downtown historic part of Aracaju today. It´s kind of like a market I guess. After that, Sarah and I will travel back to Salvador by bus.
Some interesting things have been going on lately. I was sick the past week with i don´t know what. I finally got over it, praise be to God! Our last culture class was last Friday; we also had our final exam Friday. Last week´s topics were very interesting. We had a priestess of Candomblé come and talk to us about the Afro-Brazilian religion. I will have to explain later about the orixás. Orixás, by the way, are spirits worshipped by people who pratice Candomblé. The religion is very colorful and very focused on the present circumstances of a person. i can´t explain it right now because I´m pressed for time. I hope every one is doing well! TTYL!! God bless! :-)