Today was our last day with our host families and our last day in Salvador. A sad day, to say the least. That morning was a rainy morning, which only added to the dramatics of the situation. I ate my last breakfast with my host mother and went out to do some last minute souvenir shopping. I purchased a few more keychains, a Canga beach towel, and my third pair of Havaianas. Typically, in the United States, I don’t wear flip flops and I don’t see many others wear flip flops. However, since being in Salvador and wearing Havaianas, I realized that they’re so comfortable and stylish. I’m not sure why the United States (except Florida and maybe other hot states) phased out of flip flops, but I’m going to bring them back! Wearing them will always remind me of being in Brazil, which is a great memory.
After souvenir shopping, it was time for our farewell lunch at SENAC, a culinary school/restaurant in Salvador. When we arrived at SENAC, it was a little overwhelming for us since a university from Kansas had also attended their farewell lunch at SENAC but once everyone sat down and starting eating the delicious food, the mood greatly increased. Two things I will definitely miss about Brazil are the meals & the desserts. The meals my host mother prepared were always so delicious and the food that I ate at local restaurants was always so good. My favorite Brazilian desserts are pudim de leite condensado and doce de leite. Though, there are Brazilian restaurants and bakeries in the Atlanta area, they’re not easily accessible to me since I live one hour and thirty minutes away from Atlanta. Finishing up our tasty lunch, we heard a few speeches from the instructors and testimonials from the students! It was a very emotional time, as tears were shed in reflection of the entire trip. This experience has been one of the most life changing and happiest moments of my life and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. I’m so thankful that our professors, Dr. Stauber & Dr. Strasser, and Clara Ramos of the Institute of Clara Ramos (ICR Brasil) was able to make this experience happen and have such an impact on not only my life, but my peers’ life as well.
To conclude, the last few hours of our time in Salvador, my host family, another host family, & I went out to get our last açaí bowl in Brazil. It was a great way to end the last night in Salvador with a signature Brazilian dessert.
All in all, I can speak for my peers and I when I say that Brazil was such an enjoyable and transformative experience. For me personally, I know that this won’t be my last time in Brazil. It was fun, Brazil. I will be back. Até logo!