the nicest people in the world

If there is one thing that has really struck me whilst being here in Brazil, it is the kindness and friendliness that I have been shown by Brazilian people.  I have already mentioned it briefly in previous blogs but this weekend it was all confirmed to me once more when I met the nicest couple ever.  Fact.

I was invited to a churrasco - a typically Brazilian barbecue on Saturday night in the favela with Ana, a previous volunteer and another friend Jose.  We were there several hours eating and drinking and got talking to a couple that live in the favela.  We spent all night chatting to them and then when the barbecue ended we walked home with them and they couldn´t resit inviting us in to their home.  We stayed for a bit and in such a short space of time I already felt unbelievable warmth for this couple.  As we were leaving they suggested we go for breakfast at their house in the morning.  We offered to each bring something with us because we are all aware that inviting four people for food is an expense for anyone, never mind here,  but they almost looked offended.

We turned up bright and early in the morning and we were offered a feast.  These people knew us from nothing and yet they treated us with such kindness.  They were telling us about how it´s hard to be parents in the favela and you have to keep an eye on your kids at all time because otherwise they can get mixed up in drugs, guns and teenage pregnancies - all big problems here.  They had also tried to assist several family members who were struggling to raise their children and it seems they run a bit of an open house - always trying to help.

We were given a tour of the house and the upstairs was built by the husband himself.  He said he used to get home at 8pm from work and build until 1 am.  It must have been a hell of a job but you could see how proud he was of the work he had done and the home they had created.  They were just such humble, lovely people.

I have been invited to go round whenever I like and I certainly won´t pass on an opportunity to see them again.  Ivone says she´s going to learn about the world through us as we are all from different countries.  I genuinely feel very lucky in the sense that wherever I seem to go in the world I meet absolutely lovely people and they are just another example of this.