Coming to the End....

AFS Pantanal:

So this long awaited year is coming to an end... After months of preparation, months of adaptation to Brazilian life... after passing the saddness, the lonliness... after experiencing all the awesomeness of Brazilian culture... after seeing Brazilian beaches, enormous waterfalls, and the Amazon... after meeting and making friends with unforgettable and lovable people, I will return home to Seattle in 2 weeks.

Even though the time left is so little, I think that I still haven't completely realized that I'm going home. The time passed quickly, but I have formed a second life for myself here. Saying goodbye to my friends and host family will be one of the hardest things that I've ever done in my life. I have walked these streets so many times and the last time I drive out of this city will be heartbreaking. This new life that I've accustomed too and grown to love, this new culture... it's hard to accept that I am leaving forever. Unfortunately, even though I know that I will return one day to visit, it will only be a visit, and it will never be the same again. At least I am left with the memories and the knowledge that I took advantage and loved it while I was here.

I can safely say that my exchange was a success. My pre- exchange dreams (though hazy now) were of friends, travel, Portuguese, and ... general happiness. I have achieved all of that !

My friends, though I've known them for only a little bit of time, are unforgetable, and I know will never forget me, just as I'll never forget them. We will live on other continents (or, by the Brazilian scheme, the same continent), but we are already making plans to see each other (let's hope this are American style plans- that happen- as opposed to Brazilan plans- which don't. )

My host family here is a second family to me. They helped me so much and treated me so well. I had siblings for a year which was so awesome !

I travelled less than lots of exchangers, but more than lots of others. I got to see Florianopolis and stay on the beach which is the proud beach home of Ronaldinho and Giselle Bundchen. I got to go to Foz de Iguaçu, the largest waterfall in South America. And, my highlight, I recently travelled to the AMAZON with AFS ! It was one of the best trips I've ever been on. The nature, the exchangers, and the food made it unforgetable ! In 9 days, we saw Manaus, visited museums, malls, and parties, and then spent 6 days on boats - Sleeping in Hammocks !!!!!! Feeding a freshwater dolphin, holding an alligator, and swimming in the Amazon River are unforgettable moments, just like my exchange was full of !

On the other hand, I can now return to the US with a head full of good memories and satisfaction. And, I am very excited to see my friends, family, and my missed city (yes, it was hard for me to live a year without a mall in the city...) ! I am so grateful for this exchange year, and I know that it has moved me as a person and changed the rest of my life. I hope that when I get back, it's not as hard as AFS told us it would be ! Wish me luck !

;*