New York, New York...

Today is my last (full) day in Brasilia. I am sitting at my computer and as I type this I can't believe that I am closing the door on an amazing adventure. Today, as I said good-bye to my kiddos, the people who I spend most of my time with, I realized, like I do every year,that I more than likely will never see most of them again, which is heart-breaking. However, like all adventures a new door is opening and its opening to a place I never really thought would happen, New York City.

When I decided to come home I also decided to cast a big net. I didn't know where I would end up, so I decided to really shoot for the moon and look into a city I've always dreamed of living, NYC. I applied to a few schools, and one bit back. We talked, we Skyped, and a few weeks later I've signed a contract to teach at their school!!!!! I am still in a little shock, and to be honest, I am starting to freak out a little bit. What if it doesn't work out? What if I hate it there? What if, What if, What if? I don't know what the future holds but I know I've opened a door and I want to give it a try.

So, here's to New York!

If I can make it there, I can make it...anywhere!

Farewells

Normally, I love the end of the school year. It goes so quickly. With my eminent departure, this year definitely feels different. What is typically a time of year where I am saying good-bye to friends but looking forward to new friends I will soon be making has been replaced with the feeling of I am leaving and life here in Brasilia will be moving on without me.

Luckily, I am blessed with good friends who have helped me realize that although I am leaving our friendship will continue, just from far away. It means so much when people take the time to make you feel special.

GIRLS FAREWELL WEEKEND:
Sue and Heather, who have always been two of my dearest friends here decided we needed one last girls weekend before I left. We headed out to an area outside of the DF known for its hiking and waterfalls called Chapada(sp?). We stayed at an adorable pousada, went and saw beautiful water carved rocks, and just spent time talking. It was such a great trip and made me appreciate why we are friends. They don't know how much I will miss them next year but I know it's not the end of our friendship.

GOING AWAY LUNCH:
Amanda and Sue had a going away get together as well. Brazilians always have these big long lunches on the weekend where they spend a couple of hours just spending quality time together. It's really lovely. Amanda thought it would be fun to have a traditional Sunday lunch. We headed to one of my favorite restaurants, Coco Bambu, which has family style meals. It was delish and a the perfect way for me to say thank you to people who have had a major impact on my life here in Brasilia.

UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY GOOD-BYE SOCIAL:
We also had a farewell social at a local "tavern." We headed their after school and the committee(aka Karen) had arranged for us to have some socializing time and then everyone gave little speeches about the person leaving. Amanda made a very sweet speech for me and I really could not hold it together. She and I have become not just teaching partners this year but dear friends. She is a whole blog in and of itself and I am going to miss that girl like crazy!

Kevin and his former wife.

Kevin and his new wife.

Even though good-byes are hard and to be honest, they aren't always forever, I feel so lucky to have them. To have good-byes means that you have experienced something that you are closing the door on and moving onto a new opportunity. I know I say it all the time, but I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity, however this opportunity wouldn't have been the same without these people.

Rio...

In my almost three years of living in Brasilia. I've always said, "If you came to visit Brazil, and you didn't visit Rio, you didn't visit Brazil." In my opinion, Rio is the heart of all things that make Brazil so wonderful. Cristo, Pso de Acucar, Impanema, The sidewalks, the samba, the sungas. There is something about that town. It just oozes Brazil. With that my mantra in mind, I knew that if I didn't go to Rio during Carnival, I would be missing out on an amazing experience. I knew I HAD to see it, I knew I WANTED to see it, this year, I MADE SURE to see it!

Since I had already seen the tourist destinations, I spent everyday on the beach. To be honest, it was great. I was ready for some relaxation and sitting under an umbrella people watching was the best way to do it. At night, we headed out on the town.

The sidewalks of Impanema

The highlight of the trip was the Sambadrome. Each samba school creates a theme, song, and floats. It is like Mardi Gras on crack, minus the bead throwing and bra lifting. To say that the floats are done well is an understatement. Each one is hand stackingly crafted to reflect their theme. The samba schools have 45 minutes to get all of their floats and people down the center of the sambadrome as people watch and cheer. If they exceed their 45 minutes, they receive a penalty.

Aside from the Sambadrome, I just really enjoyed spending time with friends. On my last ngiht, Amanda, Alyssa, Rachel, and I went to the rocks which separate Impanema and Copacabana to watch the sunset. As I sat and looked out on one of my favorite cities, I was reminded how lucky I am to have had this experience. My life plan hasn't turned out in any way, shape, or form, the way I thought it would. But, I'm also not sure I would want it any other way.

The stairs less traveled...the Machu Picchu version.

When I decided that I would not be returning to Brazil next year for school, I knew that I had some big decisions to make. You know the really important stuff, where do I want to live? What do I want to do? But, probably most importantly where do I want to travel? So, I started working on my "Brazilian Bucket List." I thought, I researched, and I selected my top three things that I knew I wanted to experience.

Machu Picchu was definitely one of things I felt like I wanted to experience before I left Brazil. So I jumped into action and booked my ticket. I came back from Holiday break a little early so that I could visit Peru and be back in time for school. My trip took me to several places near Machu Picchu: Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, Aguas Callientes, and of course Machu Picchu.

Cuzco
Most of my trip was spent in this little town about 12,000 feet above sea level. Many parts were built by the Incas and their original stone work can be seen throughout. Cusco has beautiful architecture as well as a town square. For most people traveling to Machu Picchu, Cusco is their first stop. For two days in Cusco, I was on my own which allowed me to even explore some of the local ruins. Which was really interesting. It is amazing that after all of these years it has been so well preserved.

The streets of Cusco

One of Cusco's gates.

Town square

The national cathedral

A girl, two ladies, and their sheep. FYI: This picture cost me a pretty penny.

The cathedral

The beautiful rooftops of Cusco

Coco Tea which is made from the leaves which make Cocaine. It evidently helps with altitude sickness.

Day 2: Local Village
One of the coolest things I did while visiting Peru was travel to a local village. It was an amazing experience. We traveled about an hour and a half outside of Cusco to a small village where we were greeted by some of their residents who taught us about their history and day to day life. We then helped them harvest their potatoes which they then used to make us an amazing meal with local ingredients like quinoa. It was amazing to spend time with people who have not been brought down by technology or modern conveniences. They live a simple life yet they seem so much happier than people who have more.

Cute baby with a cute belly = picture

Gardens

The local road, no pavement...

A donkey.

Potato crops

I loved this little old man. He told us that he is to old to work in the fields so he stay with the women and helps greet people who come to their community. He played this recorder the whole time.

More crops

I loved this little baby. He wanted his picture taken all the time.

The women showing us how to collect the potatoes.

Our turn...

Some of the potatoes we harvested.

Me and my potatoes.

I loved their outfits and hats. They were so colorful

Cooking over an open flame. These corn cakes were delicious.

Demonstrating how they weave their belts to carry the babies with.

Lunch!

Day 3: The Sacred Valley
After we left the local village we headed over to an area known as the Sacred Valley. The area is the beginning of the Inca Trail and at this point, the group members who were hiking, which mind you was everyone BUT me, headed out for a 3 day long hike fest.
After they left in the morning, ,I explored some of the local ruins which was just amazing. My tour guide told me that in order to build the town and the buildings, they would have to mine rock from the quarry, drag it to town, carry it up a hill, and then use it to build. It is amazing how they were able to do all of that with only man power. To say it was impressive would be an understatement.

The steps to the Inca temple

View from the top

These rocks were placed by the Incas. They have no cement and are still there hundreds of years later.

Me and the clouds

The valley

The three levels on the fountain represent the three levels of life. Hell, Earth, and Heaven.

Machu Picchu
On Friday, we took a train out to Machu Picchu. It was about a 2 hour ride but the ride was beautiful. The train had a glass top which allowed you to see the area from every angle. On the way to MP, we learned that there was a rock slide and we wouldn’t be able to take the bus up to MP, we would have to walk on the road. The tour guide, Nora, told me that this would take longer but it was not a bad walk. However, she said, “taking the stairs is awful, but the road isn’t bad at all.” No worries I thought, it will take a while but it will be fine, nothing would be worse than those stairs.
We woke up bright and early on Saturday to head up to MP. When we got to the road, we handed them our tickets and the ticket taker said, “No road, only stairs.” WHAT????????? The stairs. 2 miles of stairs…made of rock. But, I had come this far, I couldn’t turn back. So, I started the trek. At first I was great, no problem. But, about a mile in, I really started to struggle. I sent the tour guide on to the top. If I was going to struggle up those god forsaken stairs, I wanted to struggle without her waiting. 2.5 hours later I finally made it to the top. I was exhausted, proud of myself, but exhausted.
Machu Picchu was beautiful. I loved the views, the landscape, the greenery, all of it. It was easy to see why the Incas had made their empire there. After our guided tour, we headed back down the mountain. Of course now, the freakin buses were up and running.
At lunch, I heard all about their trip on the Inca Trail and I was so glad I did not try to hike it. Between upset stomachs, altitude sickness, and a person who got salmonella poisoning, they had a rough trip.

The train to Machu Picchu

The glass tops made for an amazing view.

This river runs the whole way to MP.

They even had a bar cart. I love that in this pic the lady looks like she is checking out the train attendent.

I finally made it to the top. I loved being around the clouds.

Amazing ruins.

Doorways

The Inca emperor's bathroom

Window with an amazing view.

Machu Picchu

Selfie with Machu Picchu

Traditional MP picture

Sign says it all

THE FREAKING STEPS!!! ABSOLUTELY REDICULOUS...for 2.5 MILES!

I am so glad I got the opportunity to travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu. It was beautiful and I know I will always remember my time there. Luckily, I bought a couple of amazing things to remember my trip there.