People asked me why I wanted to come here. They wondered why I would risk all the negatives: the diseases, possible injury, contaminated water and crazed monkeys. I wondered why I wouldn't go. I wanted to help people, experience a culture I never had, exist in a place I didn't fully understand. But mostly there was the need to put myself out there for people I had never met.
Getting here was the tricky part of being part of the second week. We had a time to meet and drive to the airport to catch one of the 3 flights we had to take. The first was fine, but when we boarded for Atlanta, that's wen all hell broke loose. We waited on the plane for 2 hours while the crew looked for 8 bags to remove. This time was spent with no on air entertainment or food. At that moment I was glad I had bought that Milky Way and Cosmo. Jenna, Ryan and I took the Cosmo quizzes to pass the time and found deeper levels of our personality we hadn't known. (but not really). By the time we got to Brasilia, we had missed our flight and were stuck with two options: 3 hour flight to Manaus or 3 day bus trip. Since we leave Friday night, the bust trip seemed impractical. Bob got on the phone with Delta and let them have it while he was whisked away by a staff member of GOL airlines. The other 5 of us received help from a Brazilian woman who simply wanted to help us. But before we knew it (2 hours later), we had a flight booked by Bob and the GOL staff memeber. the 6 of us arrived to Manaus around 3:30. Some how through all the flying we all slept (there are pictures proving I can sleep anywhere), except Jenna. I'm still shocked and amazed. The longest day ever (I will call it Saturday) was capped off with me flooding our room with my shower. Regardless of anything negative I was having a ball and it has stayed that way through everything.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned here is: the work is hard. You'll wake up sore from the previous day and know you'll be sore again tomorrow. You'll get bruises and not be sure where or how you got them. You're never going to sweat more in your life. And you'll be asked to do work you've never done before. And it's all completely worth it because you'll never meet people more welcoming, more gracious and more eager to learn. They will love and accept you instantly just for being you. Already I have made friends with Gaby, my favorite 2 year old, become an English teacher, had my Space Jam t-shirt translated into Portuguese, given out and received email addresses and will have a new Facebook friend. I can't help but smile around these warm people. Their happiness is contagious. Being around them makes me realize why I never questioned my decision. If my small contribution can affect their lives for the better, I'm all in.
Liz McConville.
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