Next up: Cuiabá. (Say koo-yuh-BAH.)

Our next Brazilian city destination is the capital of the west central state of Mato Grosso, located 2,000km (about 1200 miles) north and west of the city of Rio de Janeiro.  Population: 500,000.  Time zone:  EST.  Excellent contact/friend living there named Fernando: check.  Apartment with cable TV with Olympic coverage:  yes please.

So, it's packing time again; time to eat up the pantry items, the fridge contents and use up the last of the laundry detergent.  Time to enjoy our lovely apartment view of Sugarloaf Mountain one last time, say farewell to friends, visit the beach and our favorite park and playground once more.  We're a little sad to be leaving the place that's been our home for the last 3.5 months.  Our familiar neighborhood, the apartment where Eli learned to walk, the library where Jason is well known and welcomed each day.  But, this move will actually be the last move for Eli and I, as we'll be flying back to the states at the beginning of October while Jason remains in Brazil until mid-December.  This was not the original plan, but it seems to be the most logical move in terms of Jason's research. 

Jason needs to do significant traveling to several small towns in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul this fall.  While we've encountered very few problems thus far traveling in South America with Eli, the areas close to the Pantanal are more rural, with more things like yellow fever and less things like quick access to medical care.  We had thought I would stay with Eli in hotels in larger towns while Jason traveled to and researched in smaller towns.  But after exploring those possibilities in greater detail, it seems more logical for Eli and I to be back in the states during this time.  Our first stop will be attending one of my dearest college friend's wedding in Ohio and after that we'll live with various family members scattered around the country as our Durham home will be occupied with renters.  Jason will fly home just before Christmas. 

We're hoping things like Skype, family, friends and the ability to freely research/travel without worrying about wife and kid in a hotel somewhere will help make the separation of our little family more bearable.  We're so grateful for the grant Jason was awarded for this year of research, which allowed (among other things) for us all to be together.

In the meantime, we're looking forward to new scenery, living in a much smaller metropolis, a 12 day visit from Jason's parents at the beginning of September and exploring new libraries and archives.  We fly to Cuiabá by way of Sao Paulo on July 31.