Summer Plans

Oi gente,

My parents recently bought a condo in Fortaleza for the family to enjoy, relax, and cheer on the Brazilian soccer team during the World Cup. This for sure is a dream come true for the whole family. Needless to say, I have officially started the countdown to summer vacation. With only 5 weeks left, I now daydream of coconut water, tapioca ice-cream, a whole lot of sun (odd since I don't like to sunbath), and men in speedos!

Oddly enough, my excitement parallels my anxiety. I grew up in the US and consider it my home, so the idea of spending two whole months in Brazil is odd, fascinating, and amazing. I find myself wondering about the culture and people, but most of all, I wonder if I will fit in and like it.

To make my trip a sure success, I started a Must Do list. While in Fortaleza, I want to take Forro lessons. Forro is a Brazilian dance with its origin in the Nordeste (North East) of the country and I hope that hubby and I can one day become the Forro version of Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth.


Once we master the dance (or at least learn not to step on each other's feet), I want to attend all (yes, all) the quadrilha parties in the area. In June, the north of Brazil celebrates Sao Joao (Saint John) with private and public quadrilhas (Brazilian Hoedown). In some ways, it's the carnaval celebration of the north but without the bikinis.

Without a doubt, my summer vacation will be a lasting and enjoyable experience.