I went downstairs and headed to the kitchen. Meggie was there. I would miss her too. You can't measure how you feel about people. It can't be measured, but it can be lived. So, I couldn't measure what I felt about the Bailey family. There are no words to explain the importance they had for me during this program, and also all people in Cleveland.
I sat on the chair, eating my cereal, when my host mother came toward me. I froze. She went to hug me, with tears on her eyes. She said: "I'm so sad because you're leaving." This is one of the moments that I will always remember. I felt the same, and I hugged her back. She asked me if I had everything ready. Mr. Bailey and Campbell came downstairs. I thanked them for everything they had done, for their hospitality and for hosting me. I hugged each of them. It was time to go.
Campbell and I when I was leaving
My host mother drove me to Westlake High School. As we approached, I saw all the host families and Youth Ambassadors waiting in front of the school. Mrs. Bailey stepped out of the car, helped me to grab my suitcase and hugged me again. The time seemed to stop at this moment. She needed to go. I still remember the words that came out of my mouth when she entered the car: "Thank you for all!". I felt the tears falling, as her car headed off. I saw Ana; she had the same expression in her eyes, as well as all the Youth Ambassadors.
Evrybody in front of Westlake High School
Everyone started saying their good-byes. We got into the limousine and we headed to see Gina.
As we entered, she greeted us and told us what she wrote on her facebook page: "It never gets easier to say good-bye." She asked each Youth Ambassador to talk about all of the experiences in Cleveland. She also talked about Social Justice and Human Rights. She showed this video that really grabbed my attention.
We discussed about the video's message and how the experience of being in Cleveland changed us: about our host families, volunteer work and action plans.
Youth Ambassadors inside of Gina`s office
Well, I was thoughful. I realized Ana was writing on her sheet. I loved it! She wrote the names of people who had taken any part in the program.
Ana`s sheet
After that, we went to have lunch with Gina. We ate and headed to watch the movie "Ring of Fire" at the Cleveland Clinic OMNIMAX, which is located next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This is me near the restaurant
João, Ana, me and Gilmar matos in the restaurant
When the movie ended, we left the building. It meant that we were really close to saying good-bye to Cleveland. We arrived at the airport and we checked-in. Gina followed us until the security guard blocked her passage in the line. She hugged everyone. I had just said my good-bye to an important person in the program for us.
Flags of the Ohio State and the United States of America
Flag of the Cleveland City and Great Lake Science Center
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame seen from OMINIMAX
This is me in front of the OMINIMAX
All Youth Ambassadors in the movies
Do you know when you dream of getting something in life for a long, long time, and you achieve this dream. We meet people while walking this path, while you dream. These people are part of this dream and they definitely have an important role to make it all happen. This thought was applicable for the Youth Ambassadors who were with me, for Gilma Matos and for Gina. I admired her a lot, since the first moment. She always showed how important this program was for her, and also how she liked being with us. I knew that she would be one of the people who I would miss most in Brazil.
Our plane was delayed. When we landed in Washington D.C, we got out of the plane and went outside. We saw the other Youth Ambassadors and the staff from World Learning. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs. We headed to 4-H. Everyone was so electrified, telling stories about their experiences in their host states.
4-H at night
Welcome Youth Ambassadors -greetings from 4-H staff
As we arrived at 4-H, we went to our bedrooms. This time, I shared the room with Janailton, Alexandre Monçale and Lucas Alves. We went downstairs to enjoy the pizza party. We also did some activities.
Youth Ambassadors in the pizza party
There were many posters on the wall filled with questions. They asked what we had learned in our host states, and what our thoughts were about Social Justice and Human Rights. We did the activities in groups, and headed to our bedrooms. So much happened and there was still so much to experience in the next few days.
It was Sunday and we decided to go to a different local church. The Mass would begin at noon. I woke up at 8:30 a.m. Mr. Bailey drove us to have breakfast at First Watch, the place my mother most loved to have breakfast.
This is me and my host mad having breakfast
We went back home and I played with Meggie in the garden. She is so sweet!
This is me and Meggie
Meggie
This is me and Meggie in the garden
This is me and Meggie
It was time to go to church. It was bigger than the first one I went to, but just as beautiful. During the Mass I noticed again that I would leave Cleveland tomorrow. Life provides beautiful moments; we just need to take advantage of them. Didn't you do that Allan? Why are you feeling bad? I thought that and I felt better.
Church
Inside fo the Church
Church
Amplifier and stained glass
Stained glass
Church
When the Mass ended, Mr. Bailey and Campbell came back home, while Mrs. Bailey went out with me to go sightseeing. She was cold and she took me to Starbucks Coffee. She saw a mug with Cleveland written on it, and bought it for me as a gift. It was so sweet of her!
In front of Star Bucks
She drove me to a neighborhood that I had never been to before. This neighborhood was close to the shore of Erie lake. We passed through many narrow streets, many of them making circles. This part of this city was beautiful. As we passed one street, I saw children playing in the snow.
She stopped the car in front of an observatory. I took many pictures and we headed to Rock River Park. I would know how nice is to fall on the ice.
Near the observatory
Observatory
United States Flag
Rocky River Park
This is me in the park
Erie Lake
When I slipped on the ice, I stood up quickly. I didn't want to worry my host mother who was in the car watching me. I went down to the shore because it was interesting to me how the frozen water came together with the sand. I went up the hill and told my host mother I was fine. My mother told me this is why many people do not allow seniors to walk around when it's snowing.
We went back home to get dressed for the farewell party. At night, all the host families would meet each other! It would be so amazing!
I went to my room and started packing. I usually compare life to a suitcase. My suitcase was heavy and full, not only because of my clothes, shoes, or books which were with me, it was heavy and full because of the emotions, feelings, thoughts, knowledge that I would cherish and keep throughout my whole life.
Everybody was ready and we headed to João's host family’s house. As we arrived, I was greeted by his brother, Quetin Kraft. My host brother and father went to watch an important football game that was on TV. I went to talk to the Youth Ambassadors and the host families.
João's host brother's house
This is me, Ana and her host mother
Tairik, me and Ana together
My host brother watching the game on TV
Host families at Joao`s host family house
When we noticed we weren't missing anyone, all of us had dinner. We also played some games.
Layse and me
Rizia`s host sister and me
We all after dinner
I went downstairs, where there was a ping-pong table. I played a lot and had fun with Gina and Danielle, the Brazilian who was hosted by Gina to study in Cleveland.
Gina and me
Danille Muller and me
During the party, some Youth Ambassadors decided to go bowling. I preferred to go back home with my host family instead. We said our good-byes and left. When I glanced at the clock in my bedroom I realized it was almost 2:00 a.m. I needed to sleep a little bit. After some hours I would leave Cleveland.
Today the sky was cloudless and deeply blue. It is funny to see how it changes so fast here in Cleveland. Sometimes it's opaque and gray, and sometimes it's blue like today. It was like I felt about myself. I felt that I changed during this whole experience in Cleveland: a fast, radical change, from an opaque gray to a light, serene blue.
Sky in Cleveland
The first thing I did with my host family was get ready for the arrival of the Globo Crew at our house. We had breakfast and waited for them.
Meggie, the family's dog, was a little stressed as the Globo crew entered the house with Julio Galhardi, but she stopped barking when she became more used to them. Julio introduced himself to the family and we started recording. They also interviewed my family. At the end of the recording, the whole Globo crew came to tell me that my family was awesome and really open. They absolutely were! I knew them... It was hard for me to talk about them in front of cameras, because it was proof that my stay in Cleveland was close to an end. As they finished recording, they headed to Washington D.C, where they would record all of the Youth Ambassadors together.
We got ready to go out and we went to a supermarket and ate hot dogs. I was impressed again by the structure of these places. My host mother went to buy something to take to the farewell party the next day in Joao's host family's house.
The first supermarket we went
Mr. Baile, my fost father, with his hot dog
Inside of the supermarket
Inside of the supermarket
Milk to be sold
This is me grabbing the huggest oatmeal box ever
We went to another supermarket to check the prices of some products. We came back home. When we arrived, I stayed in the Bailey's living-room. We watched a football game on TV. We chatted a lot. It was the last time I would see them. I started writing on the Youth Ambassador's blog about the activities I did with my host family. (Click here to see it).
My host family and me
At night we had dinner. It was the last day I would spend with them. I went to bed, waiting to fall sleep.
