Houston, We Have Landed

Our flight back to NY was via Houston, where we cleared immigration and made our transfer back home to NY. Everything was super easy, with short lines and quick processes. Poor Lizzie who had to take 2 more flights to go home to Michigan! I hope her other 2 flights were just as easy!

As always, I have various thoughts / feelings about the trip....

• Brazil 2.0 - I would love to come back and see more of this country. As part of the planning process, I had researched so many places: Salvador, Paraty, Buzios, Petropolis, Ouro Preto, Florianópolis; and of course, the Amazon and the Pantanal. As my visa is good for 10 years, I can't wait to come back!

• May is a Good Month - I have traveled in the summer and the winter, but May was awesome. It's a shoulder month and since schools are in session, it's considered low season for many countries. This made it easier from a rate, booking, and crowd perspective. I can't imagine the crowds at a place like Iguaçu during high season! Also, the weather was so ideal! Curious to figure out a trip for May 2014!

• Brazil on the World Stage - Although we had heard horror stories and we were warned with anecdotes, the 3 of us experienced no safety / security issues and we are thankful for that. We clearly had our wits about us and took appropriate precautions. As in any large city, you have to be aware / cautious. As discussed with Eduardo and Marcela, it appears São Paulo is getting worse and Rio has gotten way better. I hope it continues to get better everywhere as the country prepares for the World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016. It will be amazing to see the places highlighted during these events as I will have had firsthand knowledge. I just hope the perceptions improve for Brazil's sake.

• Gratitude for Old and New Friends - Eduardo, a college friend showed us São Paulo and Marcela, a high school summer program friend showed us Rio. I am forever grateful for you making time to show us your country! Having local insight, support, and company was amazing!

• To newer friends - Allison and I have known each other for the past 4 years through the Sweep the Leg football team and have become fast friends. We had been trip planning for months and I thank you for the amazing beach towel gift. I had so much fun researching and planning. I hope that you enjoyed the trip as much as I did and Happy Birthday! What a way to celebrate turning 30!

• Lizzie - a friend since I met you through Amanda. Through the talks, walks, and experiences of this vacation, we clearly have shared a lot. I thank you for trusting and joining us for our Brazilian adventure. You clearly took a leap of faith and I only wish the best in your new adventures and new job in Boston!

• Next Destination - Brazil caps off my BRIC (Brazil, India, China) completion and as these countries continue to grow and be a focus of global political-economics, I am thankful for having experienced these countries firsthand.

• As the original plan had been to go to Estonia to visit Rachel, any country is really up for grabs. Clearly, Estonia and Brazil are very different and I have enjoyed my Latin / South American trips thus far. There are talks of a Peru trip, so we shall see!

And you can be sure, I'll blog about it! I really appreciate and want to thank all those who were interested in reading and following it all. Having a modern day journal helps me cherish all the great memories! Check back for photos and videos soon!