Saturday 31st Ola all! So 2 weeks into Brazil and I’ve finally gotten round to my first “published” blog. First and foremost I would like to apologise for keeping you out of the loop, but I hope you can understand that I don’t think I have EVER been so busy. EVER. And that if there was an internet cafe that opened 24hours in Rio I still don’t think I would have had time to put up my blogs. Not to say I haven’t been writing them, or at least writing what began as blogs and became concise bullet points by day 3! I will try and put up all my best bullet points asap due to the free time I now get while my host has lessons and in the evenings. But for now just to let you know that Rio was unforgettable, truly recommended, for the breathtaking scenery, relaxed atmosphere, the most contrasts, for meeting the most friendly people in the world and hearing about the most unfriendly, for the best weather, the best food (preferably if you are not vegetarian!), the music, the culture shock, for everything... But for now – Sao Paulo! Saturday came and the fellows, plus Geoffrey, nervously departed for Brazil’s largest city, our new homes and most importantly our adopted families for the next 2 weeks. There was a general sadness in the group at the prospect of leaving Rio, the Cultura Ingelsa team as well as the laid back Carioca’s and stunning beach views. But fatigue and a devastating illness that has been taking us down one by one meant we were happy to arrive by the end of the journey. I was a bit terrified. More so than I expected in fact. This was no school French exchange, and the programme for the next few weeks looked pretty daunting. Driving to the British council offices from the airport we were all glued to the windows. Sao Paulo was definitely different from Rio, highrise after highrise loomed in every direction. On arrival the British council office was stunning, a huge high tech and new building with glass elevators and a definite wow factor. After a briefing we saw the families arriving and were picked out one by one. I had previously known that Marina my host would not be available to collect me and that I would go to her friend’s house, and secretly I was quite glad I had time enough to compose myself. Or at least drink enough water to get my voice back. I joined Jaccaidi with her host and got to see her apartment followed by a tasty burger dinner nearby. Well, the food was definitely as good here as in Rio! As is with many foreign students Jaccaidi’s host Brun spoke amazing English for the time it had been learnt and I knew from emails that Marina was immaculate with her English. I was later collected and enjoyed a drive around Marina’s brothers neighbourhood, an artsy area with lots of pubs/alfresco restaurants, all the while with a soundtrack in the car consisting of some great alternative English music. We arrived home and settled. I was happily surprised to hear that I’d have my own room. We got on really well, and I felt at home almost automatically. So much so that we stayed up talking until 12.30am until my eyes could stay open no longer. Judging by today, I don’t think I will have anymore worries regarding phase 2 of the programme. Although I think the change from Rio to Sao Paulo will take some getting used to. Sunday 1st Aug Sunday brought with it the first lie in of the trip, for which I was HUGELY grateful! I could further tell it would be a good day when I was offered pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast  A leisurely afternoon led to a meeting with Jaccaidi and Brun for a walk around the local area. First impressions of Sao Paulo by day: BIG, almost newyorkish in its skyscraper nature but calmer in atmosphere. Yet whether or not this is just because it is a Sunday will have to be tested tomorrow. Both Bruna and Mah’s areas are very hilly, a definite work out for me and probably great for so many of the health orientated Brazilians I have seen. Also there appear to be no houses, a symptom of a vast population, instead everyone lives in apartments. Of interest are the dedicated door men who memorise residents and work 24 hours a day to let them in through massive security gates! We took a walk down the upmarket high st, consisting of designer brands in shops with shopfronts that were fashion in themselves. Mah pointed out the cheaper shopping options on a road cross sectioning the boutique boulevard, far more my kind of shopping! And dissimilarities to Rio where Ipanema high st would have a mix of shop styles and price ranges. Furthermore the fashion here is decided more formal than in Rio. Much smarter and living up to the divide between Sau Paulo residents- paulistas and Rio dwellers - Cariocas. Paulistas think that Cariocas are lazy and far too relaxed whilst naturally Cariocas feel that Paulistas are uptight and no fun. I had my first taste of a “carne” meat, pastel at a street market somewhat oddly placed in-between boutique shops, and was tempted by obscure icecream flavours. I was reminded again of the love for one way streets in Brazil, something I presume is to help the large scale traffic in Sao Paulo. Again however I must question the law and ability of the drivers, who seem to adopt a right of way over pedestrians under all circumstance! In the evening I headed to Mah’s aunts house for tea and cakes with her mum and great aunt. We played with her young nephew Pedro, whose Portuguese at the age of 3 was far beyond my level. I was once more fighting off fatigue as we drove back to our apartment and awed at the wedding dress road- a road dedicated to selling and making bridal gowns. The prospect of being in lessons by 7am for Monday made my legs weak.