Birthday and New Year's

When Shekinah and I first started looking at coming to Brazil, we were going to be here well before Shekinah's birthday (October 4) but, didn't make it until a few days before mine (December 30). We arrived on the 17th and took a couple of days to adjust to being here...then came Christmas. It did not "feel" like Christmas at all with the palm trees and the sweat and the lack of lights and such (although in the city center they had a Christmas tree made out of hammocks!). Anyway, it was a nice Christmas with the neighbors over for breakfast and dinner at the base leaders home. They are Americans so we had mashed potatoes and deviled eggs! Then came my birthday. I was actually sick that day, with an allergic reaction to some bug spray. But was well enough to come down for a cake and coffee party! It was a good day overall and I am no longer sick so that is the best part! Our New Year's celebration was going to a nice restaurant for dinner on the 31st. But, by about 10:30 we were all exhausted and all were in bed before midnight! For New Year's Day a couple of us went to the beach. It was PACKED. Our bus could not get to the right bus stop due to all of the cars. We walked the last few blocks onto a full beach. All of the service tables were full so we waiting in front of one store for a while until some people left and we claimed our place for the afternoon! When we left the beach the bus was packed, but we made it home safe and in one piece!! Hope you enjoy the pictures!