Most of the trip took place in southern Brazil, where I visited my grandma and a bunch of uncles and aunts. One of my favorite parts of the trip was in Travesseiro (the town’s name means “pillow” in Portuguese), a little farm town where both of my parents grew up and a lot of my mom’s family still lives. My uncle Romeu, who lives there, is probably the most joyful, honest, and hard-working human being that I know. I have so much to learn from him. I also enjoyed spending time with my uncle Gilmar, who accompanied me through a lot of the trip and with whom I had some great conversations. Thanks for all the attention you gave me!

 

The trip ended with a couple of days near São Paulo (where I grew up) with friends that I had met in the United States over ten years ago. These three sisters (Ana, Claudia, and Renata) have been some of my oldest friends in life and I am sure they will always be.

 

I came back from Brazil with a renewed sense of belonging. I am a small part of this huge extended family that is full of people who are interesting and funny and caring and who for some reason have to love me. All melodrama aside, what a gift that is!