Introduction

The purpose of this journal is to share my experiences in Brazil this winter with friends and relatives.

If I hadn't met Elci Sousa I never would have thought of going to Brazil. Instead I would likely have returned to Mexico, where I have been going almost every winter since 2001. I have even learned a little Spanish. But the native language in Brazil is Portuguese, which isn't too hard to pick up if you know a little Spanish and speak French.

Briefly--for those of you who don't know the story--I met Elci in Toronto. Her sister Maria does some work for Linda, and one day two years ago she came with Maria to Linda's house. The next time I saw Maria she said Elci had returned to Brazil but that she had asked about me. I told Maria to tell her that I would like to take her out when she comes back to Canada. Elci returned this summer and stayed until October 5th. On November 29th I will be joining her in Porto Seguro in the state of Bahia, Brazil, where she lives.