It was the BEST of times... It was the WORST of times..

I am still overwhelmed by the amount of pictures so here you go... Our little adventure (yes that's the best way to describe it) got off to an interesting start when what looked like a wide-open flight on Friday night got put of weight restriction cuz they but 40,000 lbs. of cargo on the plane which meant we had 24 hours to burn in our nation's capital.. I can think of worse places to sight see.. can't you? Just our luck, however, the day we got to sight see it was raining... pouring would be a more appropriate term and let's just say that my "slippery" flip-flops + the Tennesee marble at the Lincoln Memorial= a most embarassing and painful fall on my a*s!! Shelly and my mom got a good laugh at it and thank goodness I was back on my feet before the tour of 150 asians had time to whip out their cameras to take pictures of the white girl in her bright blue poncho sprawled out on the floor ;) Go ahead and laugh- I most certainly did.. til I cried actually!!

ARE YOU KIDDING?!?

Don't we look HOTT!!

Good ol' Pres. Lincoln and those damn marble floors ;)

We finally were off on Saturday and arrived mid-morning in Brazil!! Drica and her husband and Josiane met us at the airport and kindly took us to their house! Where we got settled in and then headed to a market where there were tonz of hand-made goods for sale.

"The Bedroom" The next day was our first experience with public transportation as we headed to Vanessa's (my first companion) house for lunch...

Our view from the metro-

Some descriptive words... shanty town, low income district... GHETTO

Mom on the bus.. don't be fooled she wasn't having a good time!Sup G?? Doesn't shelly look like a thug ;)Our lunch crew.. Me, Drica, Vanessa, Mom, Jo, and Shelly

Drica and Vanessa.. my 2 favorite companions ;)After we got home that night we just hung around and took some pictures...

Edivaldo and Elsa.. Drica's parents.. they were so cute and fun!!

My Two moms.. I think I look more like the Brazilian.. don't you?? The next day was temple day.. It was such a wonderful experience. I was worried about my mom and the whole language thing but my prayers were answered and there was a couple from the good ol' U.S. of A. that was serving their mission there that helped!! Josiane loved the experience and I can honestly not even express my gratitude at having the opportunity to be there with her and Drica on such a momumentous event... I love them both so much and I feel know that Heavenly Father has a plan and that we were meant to find Jo and teach her about this wonderful gospel.. No Doubt About IT!!

Josiane, me and Adriana (Drica's real name)
What a View!!

Nothing like Brazilian Pizza Hut for an after temple meal.. The pizza was actually the best I have had in a long time!!

Madson, Drica, and Josiane enjoying their "american pizza"

The next day was a trip to the city... Sao Paolo is HUGE so it was a long and interesting day...

I was being a complete dork at this park in the middle of the city and although I wasn't posing I feel like some photographer is saying be the tiger or something like that.. HA HA!!

Just being my normal goofy self.. I was trying to be a model.. Did I do a good job?? Notice Drica rolling her eyes and saying oh gosh you are weird ;)And then as if the top pictures didn't prove how not normal I am there is this picture of Drica and I dancing in the park.. I know I know the moves are incredible!!

Aren't we pretty??

My mamacita and me!!

This park was just begging for us to take tonz of pictures so we gladly accomodated!!

One more... Just Drica and Me

Me, mom and Shell Bell at dinner

A view from the top.. look how big that city is!!

I think this looks like NYC.. anyone else feel the same??

Then it was on to the beach...

This was my little friend Giuliene.. She is 4 and was hilarious the whole way to the beach!! We gave her lots of American candy to make her our friend!

Jo and Drica on the ferry heading over to the island..Our hotel.. The top and bottom floor were ours.. how freakin cute is that?!? And they had yummy breakfast the next day.

Hi mom!!

Drics and I walking along the beach!!Nothin better than friends at the beach!Baywatch babes.. here we come ;)

So the trip was amazing.. difficult at times for sure but totally worth it. Shelly surprised me time and time again by how easy going and willing to try anything she was!! I know that it wasn't the most luxurious vacation but Brazil is like a 2nd home to me and these people are my family... I loved slipping right back into the language and it didn't even hurt my head to go back and forth translating this time!! Thanks to Josiane for breakfast everyday, to Drica and her family for so graciously letting us stay, to Shelly for being my best friend and such a trooper, and to my mom for coming along so we could get cheaper flights!!