February 2010:
All content has moved to http://drbexl.co.uk.
I spent February to June 1994 in Brazil,
staying with a family distantly related to me, who were
supported by the Good Shepherd Trust, a charity
which has now disbanded. Andrew and Gaynor's work involved
arranging international adoptions, whilst Andrew was also
involved in running a Christian book distribution organisation.
They were also responsible for a couple of homes in São
Paulo (which are being run by another charity) run for
children taken directly off the streets, where they were
cared for whilst new parents were found. I spent quite
a bit of time in these homes, helping to look after the
children (first time I've changed a nappy, and I'm not
in a hurry to do it again!), but spent most of my time
looking after the children that Andrew and Gaynor had
adopted, getting up at about 6.15am, but having most of
the afternoons to myself, time which I largely spent wandering
around Mogi das
Cruzes, trying to learn some Portuguese! I also spent
a week in Rio de Janeiro with my Mum's cousin, and a week
near the Mato Grosso, with a couple I met on the plane.
I was in Brazil when Aryton
Senna died, in fact walking past the Interlagos race
circuit the day he died. It was as if Royalty had died!
It was a very challenging time in my
life, as I had never been away from home before (aside
from Guide camps 1/2 hour's drive from home), had never
flown before, didn't know the language, didn't know what
I was letting myself in for, etc. The first two weeks
were a nightmare, and I very much wanted to go home, but
I persevered and after it got past the halfway point it
was much easier! It certainly made going away to university
much easier.
Here are some photos
of my defining moments, experiences and impressions of
Brazil!
LINKS:
