The first few days of our quarantine in Brazil sucked. Emma and I ran around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to get the stalls up to par with the Ministry of Agriculture’s requirements. Netting, cleaning supplies, shavings, nails… Everyday we had to buy something new. Luckily a local horse vet who I was required to hire to check the horses temperature and breathing everyday offered a helping hand.
“My boyfriend Leandro will help you get these stalls ready,” Dr. Amanda said.
I can’t thank the two of them enough for all of their support. We didn’t know anyone in the area and if it wasn’t for the help they generously gave us we would not have been able to get everything done in time.
Unfortunately this was not our only worry. After having spent thousands of dollars getting the horses into Peru and Bolivia, South America’s bureaucracy had left me broke. So broke that I didn’t even have enough money to buy my horses hay. It was the worst feeling in the world. I bought twenty bails with the last bit of money I had, knowing they would go through it in only a few days. With no other option, I turned to my Facebook friends for help.
“Do any of my Brazilian friends know someone in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul who can give me a hand with hay?” I wrote in a status update explaining my current situation.
In a matter of minutes the comments started pouring in. Once again we were saved by the kindness of others. Marcelo Iguma, a Quarter Horse breeder in the area said he would donate the hay and then Rodrigo Lima said he would drive it to us. Others offered to cover the cost of the gas. It was amazing! I can’t thank them enough for all of their help.
With hay for my ponies and the stalls set up Emma and I could finally prepare for some good news – my family’s arrival. After not seeing my sisters for over two years, my father since Mexico and my mother since Nicaragua, they were all coming to the border to celebrate our having finally made it to Brazil.
On a hot and humid Friday I stood on the side of the highway waiting. Every car that approached made my heart beat a little faster. I was so excited to see everyone after so long. Finally, after thirty minutes in the hot sun, I saw my Dad’s truck from a distance. Honking and flashing the lights, they pulled up and my sisters began jumping out of the truck before it had even come to a stop.
“How are you? I missed you so much,” my sister Paolla said as we hugged each other tight.
After I had hugged everyone, my little sister Izabella jumped up into my arms and I held her as she stared deep into my soul. It was as if she was making sure I was really her brother.
“The horses look so good, I never imagined I would see them so healthy,” my father said as he pet Bruiser’s neck.
Together we spent Easter weekend in Corumba – the gateway to the Pantanal. We laughed, shared stories and ate delicious fish. Being with my family again and seeing the beauty of my country was a great way to recharge the batteries.
“I’m so proud of you my son, you are our hero,” my Mom said as we took a boat ride down the Paraguay River.
