This was when we were in Brazil.. an hour or half hour before touchdown in São Paulo, I think.

I would have posted last night, except that when I finally sat down to have a good look at my computer, I was absolutely exhausted. The remaining airports that I went to yesterday and Monday obviously did not have free internet, or I was scrambling around too fast to notice whether they did or not. Allow me to recap some of the events.

I arrived in Miami (MIA) about two and a half hours after my takeoff from PIT (Pittsburg International Airport). When in MIA, I rushed to my next point, only to find I was horribly early. By 11:10, I was safely aboard a Boeing 777. If you have never ridden in one, you need to. There were three rows of seats; rows of two on the outer sides, and a thick row of three going down the middle. The televisions embedded in the seats offered a limited selection of TV programming, movies, and games. I was far more concerned, however, about whether I would even really be able to communicate with the person next to me. Man, was I ever lucky. My "seat partner" was an extremely kind and outgoing young woman, flying into São Paulo from Philadelphia, PA. We talked quite a lot, exchanged stories, and had dinner and breakfast together on the plane. She was going to see her family that lives in São Paulo; she moved to the USA many years ago and was happily married a few years later. I do believe this was the calmest and one of the best times I had in-transit, the entire trip. I was able to breathe easy, and snap some photos of the flight the next morning.

Finally, the most nervewracking portion of the trip was easily São Paulo. It was a surprisingly huge airport; the map I found online is very misleading in this aspect; I thought it would be relatively small. I went through customs without even a word. Because my flight had waited for a full hour before taking off, I had less time than I'd hoped for in finding my flight to Natal. With the help of the airport personel, however, I made it (barely) in time. Soon, I was aboard a tiny plane (two rows one side, three the other) and was headed to Natal. There were three other Americans on that flight, from what I could tell. Apparently, this flight was a "Low-liner," which I am assuming means it is smaller and does not reach the same altitudes as the larger jets.

I slowly felt a smile creep across my face as we went into the last 15 minutes of flight. I'm pretty sure the kid next to me thought I was crazy, but at that point I was at a stage of euphoria: First, for being able to see Paulo, and second to get off these darn planes!!

I think I have written far too much for now, so I'll leave you with some photos and maybe a video. I'll update soon on Natal.

Oh! For all of my Walmart friends..... they do have a Sams Club in Natal, and there is a company here that Walmart bought out. I'll post a picture of each, though I didn't have much time to snap pictures on my way home.

Helloooooooooo, Natal!

(the movie will be posted later. it is currently uploading.)
 

This was a good movie!
















the TV remote was also a game console and telephone (which I could not get to work.) For some reason only the television side would work for me.



















Phone!!





















I'm thinking that is a river going through that area. Truly beautiful.


































Sam's Club!! Paulo says his mom goes there often, and that it is the cheapest place in town!



























This is the business that Walmart bought out. Hyper Deals!

I decided that with two hours to wait for my plane from the time I arrived at my gate, I might as well take advantage of Pittsburgh airport's FREE Internet access. Frankly, I am mildly surprised. Many commercial areas take advantage of peoples' need for wireless by making it a paid service only. I am very pleased.

My flight takes off at 4:05 according to my itinerary, but we will see. I have been told by the woman who checked my baggage in, that I would not even need to touch it until I arrive at my last destination, Natal, RN, Brazil. Another very pleasant surprise, as now I can solely concentrate on being at the right place at the right time.

One last note: I appologize for any typos I might make in today's posts; I am typing fron the very tiny screen of my iPod touch.

Thanks for tuning in!
-- Haley

Location:Airport Blvd,Imperial,United States

I have been incredibly busy lately. Aside from the usual tying up of loose ends, I also had to attend a two-week-long trip to see my mother's side of the family in Wisconsin. It was a good time, and was great to see all of our relatives, whether close or distant.

Today I officially began packing, as well as cleaning for my sister's highschool graduation party. It was a long, tiring day, but I feel that much was accomplished by its end. I have been attempting to come up with a list of items that I cannot forget:

• Sunscreen
• Power cords (phone, computer, etc)
• Go online to check in
• Printed Itinerary and tickets
• Printed instructions for cell phone use in Brazil
• Telephone country codes
• Maps for the different airlines
• Passport!
• Extra socks
• To take off my most important jewelry and leave it here...I don't want anything to happen in the shuffle of the airports.
• Tooth brush & paste
• Contacts, with solution & case
• Glasses
• Feminine products
• Eye shadow, liner, mascara, and cover-up
• Small notebook
• More jeans (currently only one pair packed)
• Chewing gum
• Medications (motion sickness, ibuprophen, daily prescription medication)

These are the things I can think of that I have yet to pack, off the top of my head. Can anyone think of anything else?? I have my ipod and entertainment packed (though with recent restrictions on airlines, I doubt I will be able to use them..)

I am absolutely estatic. The reality is beginning to set in. I leave monday!