Limeria...then Homeward Bound

Most of our team is officially back in the states now (minus Matthew who's coming home soon). We're all readjusting to reality & desperately missing Brazil...hence the delay in our final blog post. Here's a recap of our final destination, Limeria.

On Wednesday, June 8th, we enjoyed a tasty breakfast buffet in Araras, then boarded a bus for Limeria where we were greeted by Anna Karina, our coordinator in this new city. After checking into our hotel, we were quickly whisked off to lunch & a visit at Senai, a technical training school. Limeria is a city full of industry with many factories producing food, machinery, costume jewelry, etc... As a result, this technical school provides an essential service, training the work force this city requires, while giving students skills that guarantee them employment post-graduation. Upon our arrival to the school, we were met by the school's director & a photographer & videographer who documented every moment of our visit. The school posted welcome posters featuring our team photo around nearly every corner. It was a virtual "Where's Waldo" of us & definitely made us feel welcome while eliciting some self-conscious laughter. That evening we presented to local Rotary Club where we were given with beautiful quartz jewelry made that day. What a delightful & generous surprise!

The second day we got all dressed up for an appearance on The Reinaldo Bastelli Show, local Limeria TV program. In Brazil, it's not difficult to feel like a star! Matthew, Bob & our wonderful translator did an amazing job on the interview couch, while Jennifer, Christine & I sat in the audience & provided some later commentary regarding our exchange program & experiences in Brazil thus far. After tons of photos & lunch, we rushed over to the major's office for an informational session about Limeria, it's growth, population & economy. Then onto Limeria's local newspaper office where we toured the establishment & were interviewed by a reporter. The following day we were featured in the paper. Hard to believe it was a third appearance in a Brazilian paper since touching down in this incredible country! :) Onward we went to a costume jewelry factory where the girls were given rings are parting gifts, then off to a costume jewelry museum & shopping. We ended the day speaking at another Rotary Club meeting. The highlights were when the Senai School Director presented us with a slide show of our visit the previous day & his translation of Christine's fabulous blog post about her Rotary District Conference. It's amazing to see that people are following our little blog.

On Friday morning, we got up in the wee hours of the morning to present at the Blue Mountain Rotary Club. It was surreal to think this was our last presentation in Brazil, but a wonderful feeling. Afterward we visited Dohler, a fruit processing company that makes juices & many other food items. We got all dressed up in our protective hairnets & smocks & took a tour of the facility & tasted some delicious juices. In the afternoon, we had free time so Anna Karina generously took the girls on a tour of the town where we shopped for tasty treats to bring back home & got pedicures. We topped off the night with a delectable meal at the churascaria with local Rotarians, a fun farewell & phenomenal end to such an incredible trip!

Many of my team members have already been home for nearly a week. Brazil somehow feels like it was a lifetime ago already, but the memories of this trip will live with us forever. Thinking back to all that we learned, the incredible places we've seen, the thing that I will cherish the most are the warm & generous people that I've met along the way. I'll forever have a fondness for this beautiful country & its people & want to thank everybody in the US & Brazil that had a part of making it happen. Words cannot express how much I appreciate your hard work & generosity.

Muito obrigada!
-Stephanie