Bom Dia!

Well, we're here! All travel went well even if it did feel like a very long time and we managed to have a cheese and ham sandwich as an integral part of every meal.

Judith Stewart and Emma "the Strider" (long-term Latin Link worker) met us at the airport and taught us how to use the cash machine before taking us to the seminary.

When we arrived in Recife the sky was very grey - a sight we are very familiar with in Belfast. What we weren't expecting was the 28 degree wall of humidity that goes with it.
We were told the accommodation would be basic - all the practice that we have had in sleeping on church hall floors has been worth it for our 3 week stay on mattresses on the floor. We do have showers - but they do take your breath away each morning as they are so cold!!

All the people at the seminary are very friendly. We are well looked after by Fatima who is cooking for us and Paulinho her husband who is the ultimate odd-job man & caretaker. Both of them keep an eye on us.

We have been really blessed to have Rafa with us for the first few days. He is an English student of Judith's and while he has been practising his English on us he has also helpfully translated a lot of what has been going on. He has had to go back to work now and we will miss him!

So far Rebecca has proven the most tasty for the local mosquitos who seem to be enjoying their new menu of Northern Irish prime blood. But we are all well and getting used to the heat. Most days it is sunny and rains at night. But night time happens at 6pm which is a bit of shock and happens quite suddenly.

Earlier today Barbara said that she thought that culture shock would be something that overwhelmed her when she first arrived. We are slowly learning that culture shock can be a whole variety of things but we have found that the welcome has been warm.