Meeting the Brazilian family again

30^th December, 2014, we arrived in Palmas, on separate flights (after I’d booked duplicate seats in my name, we had to buy a new ticket for Sonia at the last minute with a different airline).

Sonia’s cousin picked us up, and she managed to drive us home without interrupting her Whatsapp conversations too much. You always have a lift to and from the airport here – regardless of time of day, distance, or inconvenience, there are always people willing to help someone they care about. To avoid the hullaballoo of a welcoming party we’d arrived under the radar but both Sonia’s mum and her sister/brother in law, who live next door, insisted I eat with them. To avoid offending anyone, I had 2 meals within minutes and within meters of each other. Rice and chicken in one house, rice and BBQ in the 2^nd. And I can report it was great to be in amongst the Brazilian barbeques again.

A small representation of the family

The reception was as expected: very warm, open and affectionate. I was made to feel very welcome and a part of the family. I’d only met the family twice, both times several years ago, but that was irrelevant. In their eyes I am family, the same as anyone else. Standing on ceremony would not be tolerated (nor understood). My polite, reserved English instinct had no place here.

We sat on the patio and chatted all evening, late into the night, as people came and went, wanting to meet me again, or for the first time. All offering hugs and a warm welcome. Each one making me feel like I’d never been away.

After a few years without visiting, it was nice to be back amongst my second family and in such a friendly culture. I'm sure they will be a huge help to me as I settle in here.