Here’s my belated post from this past weekend in Campinas.  Coordinating birthday activities in a foreign country and the Portuguese language got the best of me this week.

The trip to Campinas was quite successful.  A small part of me wishes something went awry so I had a better story.  But alas, we arrived at our destination correctly.  Twice.

Terminal Tiete: 0

Yureckos: 2

It was great to have friends again… it’s been a long three weeks of pretending to like each other.  Also, being in a hotel room for this long is NOT okay.  I miss my tea kettle.

An unexpected highlight of the weekend was staying in this lovely home.  I might move into their living room so I can wake up to this view every morning.  Did I mention that real parrots live in those palm trees?!

The boys played a late night game of pool.  Us girls passed out from too many caipirinhas.  Jay has perfected the national drink of Brazil and makes them with fruit from his backyard… because that’s normal.  Doesn’t everyone do that?

It was Sunday morning that a random conversation led to coconutting.  This is a term that my husband invented that defines the art of removing coconuts from trees.  Strategic planning was required.

Husband’s ingenious plan:  A jury-rigged saw made of pool cleaning supplies.  An unstable plastic chair.  Under a cluster of wet coconuts.  On a stone patio.  Next to a pool.  I have no words.

Honestly, I stood behind him pretending I could catch him for all of five minutes.  Finally, I took a picture and waited inside until he had completed his task.  My heart doesn’t allow me to watch such things.

Sweet success.  Maybe?!

Ever seen Castaway?  It was sort of like that… minus the part about imminent death and being all alone.

It took most of the day, but eventually my husband was successful and created a full pitcher of coconut water that we enjoyed with home-cooked food.  He wanted me to communicate to our family and friends that he “dominated the coconuts.”

Folleys.  You rock.  Who else would buy twelve different kinds of juice just so we could taste so many new tropical drinks?  Little did you know that we have a rule about finishing everything at the table and would give ourselves bellyaches attempting to consume them prior to leaving.  So worth it.

We are relieved and grateful for your explanations of even the most trivial things.  AND… thank you for not laughing too hard as we shared our mishaps.  Can’t wait to host you in SP.

We ended our weekend trip with the worst game of Scrabble EVER.  Yes.  I put the word ‘toon.’  Twice.  In a row.  My husband’s next word was ‘moly’, as in holy moly.  Luckily, he fell asleep during the ten minutes it took me to come up with yet another lame word.