Getting Ready to Leave

I'm finally just about ready to leave for Brazil. This is the latest in the summer I've ever done a trip so I've been waiting anxiously to get going. My visa and my brand spanking new passport came through so I can officially enter the country (my nice beat up hugely thick passport which made me look like a "real" traveler expired this winter so I'm starting over!) I fly out of New York City on Friday night and it will be one long night of flying. I keep thinking, "Oh it's South America, that's nothing after all of those summers of flying to China" but really, it will be just as long. I fly from NYC to Miami and then it's an 8 1/2 hour flight to Rio and then I have a 2 hour domestic flight to get to Salvador.
Once I get there the long hours on the airplane will all be worth it. I got the details of my volunteer assignment today and I'm very excited. Of course, as with anything, this assignment can change but for now I will be working at the Centro De Educacao Infantil Santa Teresa De Lisieux (St. Therese of Lisieux Education Center). This is a school and a day care center that was set up by a nonprofit organization to provide education and support for people living in the favelas around Salvador. As of now my job will be assisting the teachers in the 2-3 year old classroom. I get to teach the kids English games and songs, play with them and help feed and take care of them. How cool is that? It certainly is a big change from teaching high school! Good thing I got to spend time playing with my nephew this summer - he got me ready for this assignment. I am definitely open to any suggestions of good activities that I can plan for kids this age cause I don't have a clue. This will be a huge learning experience for me.
Once I get there my goal is to be just one link in the chain of volunteers who come through this program. My students know that I love the term "cultural diffusion" and a program like this one allows me to play a small role in this cultural exchange - I can't wait to see what I'll learn!