Departing the SP (Again!)

It feels like I just got here but it is time to go home tonight. Heavy sigh. We're going to spend the day today over at Graded School for their Thanksgiving Festival. It is supposed to be a true turkey dinner and a mini-parca (vendor marketplace). I'm anxious to meet some of the kids friends, parents and teachers.

Yesterday was a big day in Apartment 142. The air shipment arrived. Twelve boxes filled with clothes, sports gear, markers, computer and Hannah's guitar were quickly unpacked and distributed throughout the rooms here. I rushed and got the computer set up yesterday. (I am the Geek Squad!)

We also finally got the kids cell phones yesterday. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get them here. Ro had to first show a bill with our name and address on it. Oh wait, we have to prove it was paid. Another trip. Then he had to have his RNE, CPF and passport documents. Oh wait, it can't be a temporary RNE at one store. Another trip to a different store. We had to have a phone number of someone with a land line who spoke Portuguese. (Thanks Morio.) More delay. The last store, Claro, finally coughed up the two phones and service. It wasn't cheap either. It took three hours yesterday alone, not counting the two other times Ro ventured out getting them. If they lose the phones, I think I will kill both kids.

It has been a great trip with lots of memories. Good (filling) dinners with lots of laughs with the Robbins and the Lawlesses. Fun shopping with Nandita and Satchko at Morumbi. I even got fingerprinted at the Federal Police station so I can come back in January. We had an interesting Gringo Thanksgiving dinner at the Wares that kicked off with Jackson nearly walking through a clear glass panel and breaking the bowl with the shrimp and pasta salad I had made. Not only was it a huge crash but the salad had glass and blood in it and made a big mess. (Luckily, Jackson only had a small cut.) They won't forget the Robars at that complex.

Here's another weird one. We were walking around the other night and met this nice couple from Texas and their two small kids who just moved to SP into the same building as ours. He had read my blog! Talk about a small world.

Most importantly, this trip was a great time to be together as a family. I'm getting pretty anxious to be in Brazil full time. But in the meantime, it will be wonderful to have Dan and the kids home in three weeks for Christmas too. They are getting so grown up. You'll be impressed.