Leaving for Brasil (in prep for June 21, 2015)

Welcome to the Thrasher Family blog.  We (Jim, Debbie and Diego, but, sadly, not Sylvester) are writing this blog to keep in touch while we're in Brazil.  We have the exciting opportunity to be here as Jim takes sabbatical.  During our time here (through December 15), Jim will collaborate with the National Cancer Institute.  

A few things really stand out as we prepared to leave: the incredibly warm send-off given to us by the St. Martin's community, the support and love we received from family and friends wishing us well and helping with packing, organizing and logistics, and the excitement we felt embarking on something new and unknown as a family- a pilgrimage of a sort (as noted by Rev. Sally) that would change us in many ways.  

We're calling this blog "Legal" (pronounced "Leg-ow"), which in Portuguese means "cool". This trip is truly so cool for all of us.  And just a note on the blog background. Diego is taking photos as much as possible. He took a class at the Columbia Museum of Art before we left and learned a lot.  He's putting all that he learned into practice.  The photo is of the beautiful stonework that forms the sidewalks in different neighborhoods in Rio (and other cities).  You'll see more of this throughout the blog.

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We left Columbia, SC on June 21, 2015 after packing non-stop and planning for months.  Our dear friend and neighbor, Enoch, took us to the airport.  We each had two suitcases, plus Jim brought his bike. 

 
 We landed the next morning after an overnight flight from Atlanta straight to Rio de Janeiro's Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport and were greeted by the famous Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread).  We're not sure how good this recipe is but it gives you a sense of what the bread looks like.  It's light and slightly sticky and gluten-free! (http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-po-de-queijo-brazilian-cheese-bread-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-176118).  Diego ate a dozen as we figured out next steps- getting reais (Brazilian currency), catching a taxi big enough for luggage and a bike and getting to our first apartment! 

AirBNB has been our friend throughout this trip.  Our first stop was a shared apartment in Leblón, a very cosmopolitan neighborhood in Rio with apartments, restaurants, bookstores, great streets for walking and its own beach.  

View from the apartment

Mary was our first host in an apartment on General Urquiza.  She met us in front of the building, welcomed us and led us to the apartment.  We were tired from the trip.  Jim lugged the first load of suitcases up the two flights of stairs and came down with an uncomfortable smile.  We had slightly misunderstood the arrangement.  We'd be sharing the apartment with Mary (the owner) as well as a young woman who had just arrived to Rio to study.  In the end, this really worked out for the two days we were there. Mary had spent time in the US and was excited to speak English, as well as be patient with our Portuguese.  She helped us to navigate the neighborhood, find the local grocery store, link to the internet and just generally help us to feel really welcome.  

Beach in Leblon

 The beach in Leblón (followed seamlessly by the famous beaches of Ipanema, Copacabana, and others) is lined by sidewalks and well marked bike paths.  Exercise stations are located along the beaches, with people of all ages and sizes exercising.  People play beach tennis, volleyball and, the most amazing of all- futeball (fuchee-ball)- volleyball played only with feet, chests and heads.  No arms or hands! And then, of course, FUTBOL (soccer), mostly played barefoot in the sand!!  The energy is so positive.

Dancing on the beach

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Two themes that continue to carry through during out stay:  incredibly friendly and helpful people; and lots of walking, often up lots of flights of stairs and steep natural grades.  All are good for the heart, mind and body. 
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