Stray Dogs
There are stray dogs all over. I am sure I noticed this aspect about Brazil during my first stay here, I even remember writing something brief about it, but I am even more impressed by the doggies now than before. I guess I like the idea. Every stray I have come across has been very friendly, and not nearly as smelly or ill as my own childhood dog Bootso. Poor Bootso. I didn't like the idea of all these stray dogs when I first arrived,   I thought it was sad that these pups didn't have owners and I was grateful that there aren't many sad lonely doggies in the US. Then I remembered that the US capture and kills there nomad dogs and said a little prayer that Brazil doesn't ever adopt this tradition of ours.

Travels
I didn't make it to Blumenau, the German colony about an hour away from where I currently live, but I have spoken plans to travel there this weekend with my friend who lived there as an exchange student in 2008. I am curious to see how German this German colony really is.

Relationships
I have gotten really close with my host family's extended family within the past few weeks. Its always refreshing to the soul to encounter people who just understand. All it takes is a look in someone's eye. Sometimes there is something there (recognition, understanding) and sometimes there isn't.  Everyone has recognition and understanding on some level of course, but its not always easy to find. Humor is a good way to explain what I am talking about I suppose. You know when you see something funny and you try and may eye contact with people to see who else noticed what you noticed and thought it was funny. These connections are rare, but kind of easy to access in that they don't require language. On multiple occasions through out my life I have been able to have a connection and a good laugh with someone who's language I didn't speak, or someone I didn't even speak with. Ha.