Changes in Itinerary

Today I was searching online about passports and tourist visa for Brazil and I realized the prices have gone up on both. I am not going to need a new passport until 2012 but my visa expired in '07 and I forgot about the hassle involved in getting one. My sister and her husband are going to need both a passport and visa.
I also found out that passport applications are going to take from four to six weeks to process unless you go through a service agency which requires a extra fee.

Last night I called a travel agent to see about tickets to Porto Alegre which is the closest international airport to one of my buddies house. I found out that it is going to cost over $1400 each. So I asked about a flight to Sao Paulo and if we avoid the weekend it's going to be about $850. So my new plan is to fly to Sao Paulo then take a bus with my friends family to Santa Catarina. That will take longer but will also save us some money. Plus I haven't spent time with my friends family for three years and it will be interesting to travel with them.
I know I have to study Portuguese before I go but for some reason I am finding it very difficult to stay focused.
The other day I called one of my buddies and talked to his sister for a little while. Some of my Portuguese came back fairly quickly but I still struggled with a lot of my vocabulary. It's easy to forget words if you don't use them. I guess I am going to have to study with my Brazilian friends here in Wisconsin.

Always Planning

It has been almost two years since I have set foot in the wonderful country of Brazil. After four trips in four years life has finally caught up with me. The first year I went was in 2002 and I stayed for two weeks. The next year was my first Carnival (Brazilian four day celebration) and I stayed for three weeks. The third trip was four weeks. The fourth was five weeks.

Anyway, after two winters of no Brazil I am ready to return. This time I am hoping to bring my little sister and brother in law. We are planning to leave Friday April 11. My sister and her husband can only stay for a week, but I am going to try to stay a little longer.

My friend Fabricio (Lava) will be getting married in Joacaba, Santa Catarina on April 18. That gives us a week to visit other friends and then I am to be a groomsman in Lava's wedding.
After that I am planning to go up north to Vicosa, Minas Gerais to visit some more friends.
More planning to do and tickets to buy.