Brasilia is the capital of Brazil… an original name, I know. As someone who enjoys new experiences, this definitely made the top 10. Such as something you’d see in a movie about a foreigner visiting a large Latin American family, this was no different.

We left for Brasilia from Rio on Saturday morning a few weeks back. A quick 1.5 hour plane hop to a city which is a mix of green shrubs and red dirt from the sky. A series of skyscrapers scattered in different locations, and then surrounded evenly and thoughtfully by smaller communities, all attached by an amazing series of highways, which is the dream for drivers given there were very little traffic lights. Instead, there are bypasses, scissoring between each community and individual side street. Underpasses and dips going under each road to allow traffic to get from one side to the other without having to stop. An architectural marvel.

Arriving in Brasilia we headed directly to the family gathering to celebrate the 100th member of the family. Beginning with a baptism, followed by a multi-hour, bottomless drinking party, and ending with non-rhythmic (I apparently cannot dance to Brazilian music) dancing. Imagine, if you can, 100+ happy people, not speaking a word of English, but welcoming you as one of their own.

I drank a lot while in Brasilia, I ate a lot too. I danced a lot and spoke a lot (with my hands — maybe sign language would be a good skill-set to pick up). I was welcomed in Brasilia, into a family that is light years different than my own. The cultural experience which is to be admired and will be something that will stick with me for quite some time.

Not to say that I don’t miss my own family… because I do with every moment I am apart from them. Canada will always be where my mind is, and will always be my home base. Victoria will always have a very big piece of my heart, and there is no comparison to any other city on the planet. I am simply saying that Brazil is a beautiful place, all made the better by the beautiful people.

But now, it’s time to start a family of my own. I leave Brazil today, but I will return in February. Until the next adventure…