Salvador, Ilheus and Rio De Janeiro, 2016

As 2015 was coming to an end, I felt like my mind, heart and body was up for a new experience. The short trips I had been on to Germany, Hungary, Florida, Grand Canaria, Norway, Sweden and Lanzarote between my exchange year and this point, hadn't been enough. I was eager to go on a longer trip, a trip that would give me an option of seeing old friends. I contacted three of my good friends (from my exchange year) from Brazil, and asked them if I could stay with them sometime in February, in the new year. 

A week later I bought my flights. I was a little anxious about the flights and the whole coming from point A to point B all by myself, but I also knew that I wouldn't be alone as soon as I reached the beautiful South American country. I packed my bags, And flew to Salvador in Brazil. I arrived at the time of carnival, and of course it had to be experienced! I stayed with a very close friend from my exchange year, and a part of his sweet family who lived in Salvador. It didn't take me long to realize the beauty of the country, the happiness of the people, the warmth of the Brazilian sun. I was completely in love from the moment I arrived. The carnival was huge, I have never ever seen so many festive people gathered at the same place, the same time. They wore magnificent costumes and danced like crazy. 

After a couple of wild days in Salvador, we went a little south to a city called Ilheus. This was where my friends' parents lived, and we stayed with them in their lovely, local home. It was close to the beach where he tried teaching me to surf, we had amazing sea food, went jet skiing, and went dancing in the nights. Here I was also lucky to meet two girls from America, who had also been exchange students, and with them I later explored some of Rio de Janeiro. 

As I left my friend In llheus, I flew to another friend who lived in Rio. I was so happy to see her, and to be able to once again stay locally and have a friend by my side. Unfortunately, she was a very busy girl at this point, which made it necessary for me to seek other ways to explore. Some days I was by myself and other days I hang out with the American girls. Luckily, they were up for some sightseeing as well, and of course also beachtime and lots of caiprihinas. Also, my third, good Brazilian friend came to visit us a couple of days in Rio. I was so thrilled to be able to see three foreign friends, I had been missing for two years. It's amazing what we can do if we just prioritize.