Brazil Trip - Day 1

Slept most of the plane ride after getting up early.  Excited to actually make it to Brazil after 2 days of traveling.  Going through customs was a breeze...such an answer to prayer.  They basically just waved us all through without looking at any of our bags.  We met up with Lynn and Julie, our hosts for the week.

 They were missionaries to Brazil and now help fill in on some trips.  Ruth Anne met up with us from the States where she and her husband are on furlough.  We took a quick bus ride to where the boat was docked and loaded up for the next 10 days.  We had a nice late lunch and then headed to the upper deck to take in the sights.
 We were docked in Manaus, which seems to be a typical city.  And then we waited...which on any mission trip is the name of the game.  Apparently we had to wait for some paperwork to go through.   I think it ended up being 8pm before we left the dock, so we were already a little behind schedule...not that there really was a schedule!  It was already dark at 8, so we couldn't see a whole lot as the boat adventure started, but we were all excited none the less.  We did get to travel under a bridge that connects 2 different areas of Manaus.  It lights up all different colors so that was neat to see.  Once we got passed the city, we were enveloped in darkness and everyone kind of wandered off to bed.  I share a cabin with 2 other girls and saying the rooms are small is an understatement.  We have 2 bunk beds, a chair, and a small dresser, plus our own bathroom.

 Funny thing is, its so small that you can sit on the toilet, take a shower, and brush your teeth all at once.  Not that I've tried or anything!  I laughed when I saw my bed...they come equipped with your own life jacket...I guess that's when you know you've arrived in the Amazon.  Hoping for some good sleep after 2 long travel days.  Our team is made up of Midwesterners.  Several are from the Indy area, 2 couples from TN, a nurse from Ohio and another from Philly.  Honestly, its kind of a quiet group so far, so will be interesting to see the dynamics of us all.  Everybody seems nice and ready to work, so let the adventure begin...