Hey guys!! Sorry I havent updated in ages...has been a bit of a frantic month!

So the nights of the 12th, 13th and 14th I was at Ceara Music, which turned out to be a MASSIVE festival right next the sea. It was basically the Brazilian Reading, except there were dual main stages for the acts to alternate on, a whole other area for dance (a huuuuge club had basically let itself out for the fest), and loads of people sleeping on the ground instead of in tents. It was wicked...was loving the acts that I had only previously heard on CD, and it was just great to hang out with the bros and their (legendary) mates for 3 nights on the trot. Belle came on Saturday and suffice to say we danced it up to the max!!! We got in at 5am after each day of the fest....so I was KNACKERED, but hey it was worth it (if only for watching Arlisson's masterclass in winning over the ladies...ie grab and hope for the best)!

Also this month were the loooooong money problems which I can't really be bothered to go into. The upshot of it all is that a) my card got cloned and a grand got nicked out of my account, b) it's all ok now and I'm transferring money into Belles account whilst I wait for the new card to arrive, and c) Brazilian banks are UTTER s***E AND SHOULD ALL BE BURNT DOWN. But as I said, allow that topic.

Lessons have been going great lately. My beginners are making really good progress with the worksheets I give them, and the pre-intermediate lot are doing very well with the reading comps and songs I've been throwing at them. I've also got a new beginners class on Saturday. It's from 2 til 5, which is a bit long, but the class is basically one of the pastors, his son, daughter and her husband, so its really nice and laid back. They gave me biscuits during the first class so clearly theyre in my good books! The only problem is with my pre-int class, which Abel is now refusing to go to because Rayssa is annoying him. It's quite jokes when you think about it, but on the other hand I want Abel to come to the class and improve, so I've chatted to them both and hopefully it will all be resolved this week.

As always Sao Pivete is immense. Turns out that Henrique (the founder of the project) is a bit of a fan of pirated football games for the pc, with Pro Evo 5, Fifa 07 and Football Manager all doing the rounds, and just today I got the names of all the boys that want to be in a Pro Evo tournament, starting next week (I'm doing you proud Si!!). Meanwhile Belle and I are going out this Wednesday to buy stuff for a Halloween party for the kids, and theres a trip down the river with all of them some time in November. Should be joooookes.

Almost forgot...4 more volunteers showed up the other week. Theyre with a different organisation, and are only here for 3 weeks to learn the language before they go inland to do stuff for the church, but they seem pretty cool and we're going with them to Beach Park (Fortaleza's water park) next week. I was a bit like ohhhhh god when they went "Are you Christian?" when we first met, but allow I still like them. The blokes, Dave and Josh, are actually really safe. They got mugged after being here for 3 days which is sooooo long (especially as I've been here for almost 2 months and havent at any point felt threatened), and I hope they don't take that experience to heart because theyve got a fab 6 months ahead of them.

Anyway I'm off for dinner...but I will update sooner rather than later and photos will also be coming soon. Next week is Fortaleza vs. Corinthians (ave it!!) and Beach Park so there'll be lots to let you know about!

J x

P.S. Shout outs to Rob, Simon and Mike (well played on sorting out the round the world flights) and Robin, who I miss a hell of a lot. Plus a massive big up to all you GAPpers around the world...LIVE IT UP!!!