We were joined by about 300 volunteers from 10 different countries during June to work on the building project and various football projects. They were absolutely incredible and it was a pleasure to have them in Curitiba. I caught up with old friends and I've made new friends. Each one of them made an impact in my life, through personal and private reasons. It has actually changed me as a person as I thought I would be the one to be leading a team, not the one to be led! There are too many to mention, but I hope you get to read this at some point.
The World Cup final is this weekend and it has flown over. I had the privilege to visit the four games here in Curitiba (in February it was debated of the games would even be held here) and have been following the Brazil roller coaster until the 7-1 defeat by Germany. I'm not going to talk about England, but a disappointing appearance and it does not help us as we try to teach the Brazilians how to play football. I'm taking the jokes in good spirit but progression from the group would have been nice.
The schools work has a short sabbatical as they are on vacation, but English lessons have been going well and we have sent some postcards back home to Newcastle. We held International Days at three schools where classes represented the countries playing in Curitiba. They were great days and made local media here and in Newcastle. We are extremely proud that the two Skype calls we arranged passed without problems and to connect young people 6000 miles away is amazing for us.
We are both on the build site now the volunteers have left so we are learning new skills like mixing cement and laying blocks. I'm not just here to teach English and football, but to develop as a person. I'm enjoying trying new things and now we have a pet on the build site thigs are looking up.
We had the opportunity to meet Kay Murray and Hugh Thompson (both representing the North East). Hugh is riding to Rio for Tackle Africa and Kay is in Brazil reporting on the World Cup for beINsport.
We presented Gustavo Fruet (the mayor of Curitiba) with a Newcastle United shirt. Hopefully they have a better season than last year.
Pinhais has been amazing. I've been given a fresh outlook thanks to a terrific team I had during the legacy tour. I'm excited to go back, try new things and to learn more from the community. It has developed a big place in my heart, so much so that the support during a tough personal time has enabled me to stay in Brazil.
I've had the opportunity to do some traveling after the tour including three countries in three days (Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina). I visited Foz do Iguaçu to see the falls and the Itaipu dam (best trip EVER). I made a short trip to Florianopolis and had the best boat party around the islands with the long term team. I have a trip to Rio de Janeiro to look forward to where Germany will face Argentina...interesting if they win it in Brazil!
Overall it's been a crazy time lately. A lot of different emotions and experiences with some of the best people im going to meet. I can't thank everyone enough and I have a huge amount of respect to those who have been here in Brazil. I look forward to meeting you all again.
I'm here until December, but now what I thought would be an easy decision to go home has been clouded by an unreal personal experience creating chances for change. Until the next time take it easy and stay mint!
Craig
