We arrived in Brazil at 5 am on the 12th and headed to the beach to watch the sunrise. We were alarmed to find locked gates and empty streets everywhere we went, as well as a large pack of dogs roaming the streets. We were worried that perhaps we had made a mistake coming to Northeast Brazil. But within a couple hours the city woke up and we found spectacular beaches, museums, architecture, and people. We also explored the city’s cathedral and found the cheapest shopping market in the world. Sarahi was so excited for the deals she didn’t even try to negotiate the price. Over the next few days we found that you can buy an incredible meal for $10 a person, a beer for $1, water bottles for $.50, and a chilled green coconut for $.75. Our relatively nice hotel room was less than $40, including a great breakfast, and was only a couple blocks from the beach. We loved the food and the weather, and felt that we were making huge strides with our Portuguese language skills after just a few days.

 Then we moved to a new hotel on the other side of the city. For only $25 a night and 100 yards from the beach, and we were even more excited for Brazil. We soon found out that our room has no air conditioning, wifi so slow I can’t load a thing, a leaky window and shower door, breakfast covered in flies, and lumpy pillows. But we decided to make the most of it and set out early for the beach after a sleepless night. It was a beautiful cloudy morning but I was severely sunburned by 11:30. We found a shady restaurant with a seafood buffet and hung out for most of the afternoon to avoid the sun. We also realized just how difficult it is to learn a new language after watching “O Bom Dinasorro” and failing to understand the dialogue… The next day I had a serious case of food poisoning/ montezuma’s revenge/ fever. I’ve spent most of today trapped in my hotel room with no wifi, air conditioning, or tv but I’m hoping later I can post this and keep some food down. 
Do I dream of my own bed in my own air conditioned room? Yes. Do I think I might be crazy for attempting this at all? Yes. But do I wish I had never set out on this trip? Not for a second. Am I excited for what tomorrow may hold? Absolutely, yes. 

In summary, it’s the best of times and the worst of times but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Keep on following the adventure here! I promise I’ll post more often once I recover from the worst of times!