GV 9727 Brasil E-Zine

June 18, 2009 Volume 1, Number 8

In This Issue
Arrival Information & Plans Getting Final Things Together

Arrival Information & Plans

Ive got everyones itineraries now and several of you will be arriving on the same flights. Here is the flight arrival information so that you can look out for each other, connect at the airport at the gate, talk on the flight, and gather upon arrival.

Countdown to Brasil:

1 WEEK
Essential Web Links
Our Team Website Habitat for Humanity Global Village

DELTA 6:10 AM from Atlanta, GA: Megan Gingrich Jessica Glovas Sanjeet Dutta Adam Forney Kim Forney Steven Sikes Jimmy Sikes

Contact Team Leader

Melissa Janette Alvarez malvarez@habitat.org Work: (404) 420-6715 U.S.A. Cell: (404) 309-9187 U.S.A. SKYPE: (678) 389-6909

GOL 8:00AM from Salvador: Alexandra Karacsony

Emergency Contacts in Recife Habitat Brasil National Office Rua Monte Castelo, 270. Boa Vista. Recife PE. CEP.: 50050-310. Phone / Fax: +55 (81) 3221-3137

AMERICAN AIRLINES 9:10AM through Miami/Salvador:

Kara Todeschini Julius Robnett Daniel Clark Dalila Duarte

Federal Police Av. Mal Mascarenhas de Morais, s/n. Imbiribeira. Recife PE. CEP.: 51.150-000. Phone: +55 (81) 3326-5810 U.S.A Consulate in Recife Rua Gonalves Maia, 163. Cordeiro. Recife - PE. CEP.: 50.070-050. Phone: +55 (11) 3221-1651. Canadian Embassy in Recife Av. Eng. Domingos Ferreira, 2222. Boa Viagem. Recife PE. CEP.: 51.020-030. Phone: +55 (81) 3325-0063. Australian Consulate in So Paulo Rua Tenente Negro, 140. 12 andar. Conj. 121. Ed. Juscelino Kubitschek. CEP.: 04530-030. Phone: +55 (11) 3849-6281. Taxi Cab Mr. Lucas Gonzalez. Phone: +55 (81) 9602-2142 / 9164-0433 / 8806-0370.

FYI, Devon is flying standby. Melissa and Julienne will already be in Recife. Please keep your eye out for Melissa and Antonio (no photo available) who will be wearing Habitat shirts and holding a sign with the Habitat Logo at the international arrival area of the airport. When we do connect at the airport we will take a taxi together to our hotel in in Recife: Hotel Jangadeiro Avenida Boa Viagem, 3114. Boa Viagem. Recife PE. CEP.: 51.020-001. Phone: +55 (81) 3465-3544. Contact with Ms. Cludia or Carmen. Hopefully our rooms will be ready for us so that you can get settled in and rest. You will have most of the day to yourselves to wander around (safely of course) Recife, go to the beach, have lunch on your own, etc. In the late afternoon we will come back together to have a team meeting, formal welcome/orientation, and a team dinner. Details will be provided upon arrival .

Getting Things Together

Are you ready? Are you excited? I AM! Next week we will be meeting one another for the first time, live in person, in Recife, Brasil. Woo hoo! BEFORE YOU LEAVE Things to get done: Identify 1-2 members of your family and/or friend to whom you will give your flight itinerary and emergency contact in Brazil information. Attached is a template you can use. Email Melissa the philosophy statement you developed and shared during the virtual team meeting, as well as, the photo ID page + visa page of your passport ASAP. Complete the pre-trip assignments by Friday, June 19, 2009 at 3PM. Check out the recommended packing list on our team website in the blue Box.net Widget on the right side of the page, just below the link categories. Dont forget to pack some of the recommended gifts from your home state/country to share with some of the locals AND photos of your family/loved ones. Bring with you work gloves and work boots. Check the Trip Overview page for an updated general itinerary of the trip. Start or continue to study Brasilian Portuguese using purchased software, the language link on our team website (under the pre-trips assignment links category), and the important phrases list posted in the box.net widget of our website.

Get your prescriptions filled (asthma pump, allergy medication, etc.) Place in your carry on luggage: Print this E-Zine and take it with you on your flight. Be sure to print the following files located on our team website in the blue Box.net Widget: List of Helpful Words, Brasil Culture Gram, and Brazil Logistics & Contact Sheet. Print a copy of your flight itineraries. Keep your passport close to you at all times. Take a pen to complete the customs forms on the plane. Any prescription medicines

WHEN YOU GET TO BRAZIL Going through customs: if the customs agent asks you why you are traveling to Brazil, simply state you are there on vacation to explore Pernambuco. AVOID talking about volunteering, as this is not understood in the same way as the U.S.A., Canada or Australia. It is often seen as work (a job, which requires a different visa & entry processes). Exchanging money: The exchange rates (subject to change often) as of today are: $1 USD = $1.96 BRL; $1 CND = $1.74 BRL. Be sure to check the rate the day you begin your travels. It will be a good idea to exchange some money at the airport upon your arrival in Brazil. If your flight is delayed or you miss your flight: Please contact Antnio Prais on his cell: +55 (81) 9163-7582. NOTE: only use this number in the case of a missed flight, a seriously delayed flight, or you are in an emergency situation.