***

Ozair, who goes by “Junior,” and I arranged to meet for beers. He and his wife Simone had been living in the US for about 4 years, working hard and saving money so that they could return home and start a business. (Over time, I found that most Brazilians who lived in the US did not intend to remain there, but planned at some point to return to Brazil.)

He was from a city called Vila Velha, near Vitoria, the capital of Espiritu Santo, the state lying north of Rio de Janeiro state. At this time, all these names were new to me, but the way he described Vila Velha (literally, “Old Town”) made it sound wonderful, exotic and inviting.

I met Simone also. She invited me over for a home-cooked Brazilian dinner, although with the years I forget exactly what she prepared. I was more focused on hearing stories about Brazil.

I tried to talk to other people about Brazil, but no one there in Charlotte (North Carolina) knew much about it. Of course, everyone knew that Rio hosted a huge Carnival celebration each year, and some knew that the Amazon basin lies mainly in Brazil. Beyond that, no one knew much – including that the official language is not Spanish, but Portuguese.

Junior, Simone, and I continued to get together. I always encouraged them to tell me more about their country. I visited the library to learn more. (This was just before the internet took off. We read books back then.)

A few months later, Junior told me that he and Simone would be returning home soon. Would I like to go visit Brazil with them? While I was disappointed that my new friends would be moving so far away, I jumped at the chance to visit Brazil – and with Junior and Simone to guide me!

To travel to Brazil, I would need a passport and a visa. (A visa is a stamp in your passport granting you permission to enter another country, issued by that country’s consulate.) I already had a passport, and following Junior’s instructions soon had my visa. I located a travel agency in Fort Lauderdale and the owner, Tony, helped me book a seat on the same flight as Junior and Simone. We added some days in Rio onto the end of my trip.

With Junior’s help, I created a list of things to take. I read my books about Brazil. Now there was nothing to do but wait.

Finally our departure day arrived. I took a cab to the airport, where I would meet Junior and Simone. Check-in went without a hitch. I passed through security and made my way to the gate. I didn’t see Junior and Simone, but there was still an hour before the scheduled departure. I pulled out a book of crossword puzzles and tried to focus through my nervousness. I was actually going to Brazil!

Nervous anticipation gave way to the jitters as the boarding time crept nearer and my friends had not yet arrived. Pre-boarding was announced, then boarding from the rear of the aircraft. Finally boarding for my row was announced. I kept my seat at the gate, unsure what to do.

When most of the plane had been boarded, here came Junior and Simone, running to the gate, loaded with shopping bags.

“We had to buy a few more things,” Junior explained as we took our place in the boarding line.

So Brazilian!

Next installment: We arrive in Rio. My first churrasco. A semana perfeita (The perfect week).

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