Hiking

Hi all,

One week of Portuguese class left. The college extended the class an extra week, why? I don't know but I'm sure glad. This new schedule has me arriving in Juiz de Fora only 2 nights before classes begin in August 9. Class is going very well. I have been spending a lot of time studying in order to try and make up for my worries of my language deficiencies.

Only 2 days ago, I received my first contact message from the host family I might be staying with in Juiz de Fora. Not a family as he is single, a doctor, has one roommate and speaks little English. He is starting a vacation today for which he will be arriving in Rio by bus later this afternoon, then onto Salvador in the North of Brazil early tomorrrow. I am meeting him at the bus station later today for an introduction. He will be on vacation when I arrive in JF so he has told me his roommate will meet me at the bustation when I arrive.

I am joining a couple of young women today for a hike from about sea level to the Christ statue through the national park. I've been told there are many monkeys and a few sloths in the tropical forest. It is a beautiful sunny day with forcasted highs of 75. Perfect for a hike.

Chewy