At the end of 2014, I was becoming very uncertain about my decision moving to Brazil. I was still adjusting to the language and I wasn't in the situation I had hoped for. I had learnt from my years living in New York, if you want to change the outcome you have to put in the work to get it. I did just that. Things were about to change. I started working at a hostel down the street from the first hostel where I was living. The name of the Hostel was Kariok Hostel. I first encountered my boss Luciene there on the last day in December. She decided to give me an opportunity to work for the hostel for the entire month of January. Her spirit is of a person who is always buzzing. She is very strong, smart, independent, and loyal. She is a very kind heart-person who believes in giving others an opportunity. She knew my situation and my my lack of knowledge with Portuguese, but she still decided to give me a chance anyway. I worked the night shift everyday for a month. After working there for a month I felt at home. I met some really amazing people working there as well. They made me feel like family from the get go. Until this day, that's why I continue to still work there. Valentina Torquemade was a co worker of mine was working thereat the time. She was originally from Venezula, but like me, she was also searching for a dream and a better life; I had a great time getting to know her. We had fun, told jokes and had a few good nights in Lapa with the guest. She has now moved on to Switzerland. Another co-worker that I had fun getting to know was Caroline Souza a local Carioca from Rio de Janerio. She was a very nice, smart, outgoing, and fun. I had a really awesome time playing with her son. I call him my little buddy. Caroline and I would talk about things and took many pictures at the hostel. A week ago, she decided to move on, after two years working at the hostel. It was sad, but the same time, I know the reality. Its times like these you appreciate the people who helped you, listen to you, and guided you, and that´s what exactly what they did. There are unforgettable.
In the week approaching Christmas, I felt alone for the first time in along time. I had no one to talk to and nothing to do. I spend most of my time reading and writing in my room. I thought about my family a lot, what we have been through, where we´ve been, what we´ve done together. A few days before Christmas there was a new employer working at the hostel. Her name was Ines MarquesBastos. She took the place of my friend Emily who was the receptionist. Emily had decided to return to the States, and she was the only connection I had in Brazil. When she left there was another person who took her place. Ines Bastro was her name. She was from Portugal. She spoke Portuguese, English and Spanish. She was only 21 years old. By her maturity she seemed as if she had lived on the earth 5 years prior. She was very down to earth, adventurous and who loved freedom. When we first meet we had an instant connection. We talked alot about our past experiences, where we were going, and where we hoped to be. Our connection was like of two people that were children, meeting for the very first time.. We went to the beach, we went to mall, we had deep and really insightful conversation. Within the two weeks we became really good friends. Our best moment was when we went out to Copacabana on New Years Eve. It was a magical night full of dancing, and laughter. It was a moment that will forever live in my memory. It would be the last time we hung out together. After two weeks working at the hostel, she decided to move on. I couldn't blame her. We had a good-bye dinner with two of our other good friends from Argentina who were staying at the hostel at the time. We laughed and shared stories and made plans to someday meet up again. Being in this situation many times before, traveling abroad for the past six years now, I knew it would be the last time, but to this day, I reflect on the times we had with pure joy, and the understanding why sometimes people are brought into our lives when we least expect it.
