Pre-Departure

Greetings from St. Louis, Missouri! I am anxiously waiting to depart for my semester in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During my extended winter break, I have been preparing for the trip by stocking up on essentials I will need (apparently they are much more expensive in Rio), reading travel guides and sharpening my Portuguese skills. I have my student visa safely in my grasp (phew), and I am still impatiently waiting to hear where I will live; my school reports home stay information about 10 days before departure. I'll check back in right before I board the plane. Tchau for now!