Hello beloveds! Well I finished with my classes and I’m off to Rio early tomorrow. I finished my paper late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning. After my final we all went to a karaoke bar (www.bondcanto.com.br) and I had a surprisingly great time. I was apprehensive at first because the bar smelled like strange cheese and I spotted a coat-stand with boas and hats in the corner by the stage. We got there just after 5:30 and everyone was given a R$15 credit for the bar. I prepared myself for an awkward night, but I think there is something to be said for throwing a random mix of Americans in an uncomfortable situation in a foreign country. Some how that is always a formula for a remarkable time. Our professors were singing karaoke and dressed up in boas by 7. They played a bit of everything from swing to farró. I even was convinced to sing “Wanna Be” by the Spice Girls with a group of friends that are leaving early next week while I’m in Rio. No further comments…

Today we went to a churrascaria, which is a restaurant with a fabulous salad bar and waiters that walk around with meat on a skewer. It was the most heavenly and gluttonous things that I’ve ever experienced. (It reminded me a lot of the cruise to Alaska.) I got to try palm hearts, quail eggs, and pão de quiejo, plus my fill of veggies and meat, meat, meat! I behaved fairly well and stuck to salmon and veggies until dessert at which point I was a bit too indulgent, but the meal satisfied me all day.

This afternoon Bethany and I walked to Barra to watch the sunset, then to Harry Potter with Baird, another friend from the program. I won’t be able to update again until Thursday, but I promise to take lots of pictures and tell you all about the trip.