I am not a gringo anymore...

November 24, 2012 12:50 PM

Within three months, my family will be returning to the States... Where I know almost no one ( after living in northeastern Btazil for eight years ). I know all the lists/literature about starting off well in a new country; how can I say goodbye to the country that I have grown to love?
posted by Mr. Metaphor to Human Relations (3 answers total)

How possible is it for you to keep going back and forth? I've lived about half as long in NE Brazil as you have, and live now in the U.S.. I deal with my saudades by writing about Brazil, and also by going there whenever I can (A month or so every couple of years? It's getting more complicated now that we have kids).
posted by umbú at 7:10 PM on November 24, 2012

Response by poster: Obrigado, Umbu'; I am facing a difficult re-training stateside, but if I finish- the capital of Bahia will be a welcome reward ... Flights from MIA leave every evening :-)
posted by Mr. Metaphor at 5:20 AM on November 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

Depending on logistics, I would make a list of the things that it would be most important to have memories of -- favorite natural features, restaurants, and that sort of thing. You could take some deliberate memory-jogging photos or videos. I'd also consider visiting anything/place you've put off. Sometime in the three months I would try to have a "peak experience" moment, something social if possible, that will serve as a lasting memory. Make note of any former homes or gravesites you want to make sure to visit.
posted by dhartung at 8:51 AM on November 25, 2012