Our last couple of days in Houston were intense. We were still packing all those little things we didn't ship, trying to say our good-byes, buying things we might not find in Rio so readily and closing accounts, etc. etc. We were lucky to see our friends over the weekend ( Dennis, Peyton, Antonio, Laura & Alexis et al, the bunko bunch @ Kristie's ), and then some others Monday and Tuesday ( Lolita & Johnny, Anita, Maria & Arnel, Deb, Lynda, Kate, Laura & Juan Carlos ).
Saying good bye is hard.
Packing was harder than I thought. Thanks to Anita and Maria, I could finally fit everything into the 19 suitcases we carried over!!! We travel light... Amber and Bob gracefully waited for us with a wonderful lunch-dinner before we left for the airport and Lynda went out to the middle of the street to pick up the last details I had forgotten, while we rushed to the airport.
Thankfully, we fitted everything into Laura & Alexi's van and our rented car.
Fortunately for us, the airport was empty, so we had plenty of space to move around. When we tried to check in, they pointed out that Eric's Brazilian visa was for 24 DAYS instead of 24 months, like everyone else's... we had to buy a return ticket on the spot in order for him to be able to fly with us... we'll have to deal with this later.
The flight was great, customs was uneventful- they didn't check our bags and we had two people waiting for us. A whole van fitted most of the luggage and the family rode in the other car. We drove through the city into a street that goes along the beach- gorgeous view! Alan's first comment was "Daddy, why is that guy running in his underwear??!!" We all cracked up (we still do) we just told him people here were like that(he really needs to get used to it).
July 1st. 11 ish am.
The day was gorgeous, blue sky, great beach, very busy city; lots of cars, bikes, joggers, buses, people walking all over the place, vendors, turists... busy, busy, busy.
We arrived to the hotel (Transamerica Flats) and got two rooms side by side with a view to the pool. The weather is around 72 F, bright sun and light wind.
Fernando went straight to work, the kids and I to sleep!
