The Journey to Jeri

Picked up at home at 7:45am...  After $100 per each gear bag, we were already checked in at 8:45am, leaving us enough time to enjoy some coffee with my parents.

First leg of the trip was to New York.  Thanks to American Airlines wireless internet in the plane, we didn’t even realize how fast 6 hours went by.  Our second leg wasn’t as easy as the first - 9-hour flight to San Paolo.  Other than 15-20 minute naps, we were way too addicted to the personalized TVs.  It’s amazing how much TV one can watch even when the choices are not that exciting.

The main stress of the trip developed when we found out we had to declare customs in San Paolo  and recheck all the bags afterwards - which meant carrying two 70-pound gear bags and two 45-pound luggages across the airport within an one and a half hour layover!  Well... after sweaty runs, sore forearms, trying to communicate and renegotiating for the gear backs (didn’t end up paying anything), WE MADE IT!  We even managed to sit together. :)

Our last leg of the flight was a little over three and a half hours.  I slept about 1.5 hours while Derek ended up making friends with the guy on our row.  Coincidentally, he was also headed to Jeri and he was very interested in driving with us - more cost savings! :)   

Three and a half hour ride from the airport in Fortaleza followed by a 25 minute ride over the moonlit sand dunes AND finally...  Arrival to La Villa-Jeri at 6:30pm...  Our driver was definitely trying to get back home as fast as possible.

Total journey from home to the hotel - 30 HOURS!