The End is Near...

I can't believe it, but the time has just flown by and now it's my last night in Brazil. Looking back over the past couple of months, I've had an awesome experience. I got to see a lot of new and exciting places, and I got the chance to learn from the best here at Azul. I've been working in the marketing department doing what is called "guerilla marketing" (which is the sort of thing you've been seeing pictures of when I traveled with Azul promoting at events around the country). I've also been involved with Azul's social media content. I'll even plug it here - check out my handiwork and become Azul's fan on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/AzulLinhasAereas ... even if you can't understand Portuguese, at least check out the photo albums. There's some pretty cool stuff! Yesterday, Azul celebrated its one year anniversary. David Neeleman and co. have done an amazing job, and are setting all kinds of aviation world records. In only a year, they've flown over 2 millions customers and are growing at an incredible rate. It's been awesome to be able to witness it firsthand and to learn from such incredible success. And it's been pretty dang fun, too! Over the last two weeks, we've been doing tons of promotions and giveaways. For the 15 days leading up to Azul's birthday, we were giving away a free ticket on every flight, and all kinds of cool promotions. Then yesterday, there were all kinds of parties on the planes, at the airports, and of course at HQ. Check out the video for some impromptu Azul musical talent...nothin' like a little churrasco and traditional Brazilian music. And for my last day, I went out to dinner one last time with some mission buddies. I finally saw another former comp of mine, Wellington (Elder Silva). He lives here in São Paulo, but on the other side of this huge city, so we haven't been able to meet up until now. We arrived in the MTC in the same group, and we were companions at one point, so he's a really good friend. It's been over 3 years, but as we sat and reminisced about the mission it felt like yesterday. It was great to finally see him again! And of course, we celebrated by going to a churrascaria. And on one final note...SKYPE! Skype is a total life-saver for anyone living or traveling abroad. If you don't have it, get it! You'll thank me later. So thank you, Mr. Skype Inventor Person, I love you. You have made my life in Brazil much easier. Skyping with the goofy fam.... Skyping with the lovely and talented Brittany.... In the immortal words of Kanye West - "I'm comin' home again." PAZ FORA Update 2021: These days I'm traveling with kids via minivan and you can read all about it on The Minivan Bucket List