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At this point, you should have your visa, your passport, your plane tickets, and your hotel reservations in Sao Paulo. If you don't have all of these please call one of us as soon as possible!

We are currently projecting 22 gringos, including 4 kids, to attend. Should be a lot of fun!

A few things, though, to think about that might mike life easier...

1. Sleeping on the plane

It's a long way down to Brazil. If you are not a seasoned international traveler, the prospect of a 10-hour flight is probably pretty intimidating. From experience, there is no substitute for simply sleeping away most of the flight. Your physician can give you something to help you sleep and is your best bet. If you don't want to go that route, some of the over the counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM can help, as can melatonin (doesn't work for me but does for some) and valerian. You can bring valerian tea with you and ask for hot water in the airport transfer as well as on the plane; the Sleepytime Extra is my brand of choice. Drinking booze is probably the worst thing you can do, because the odds are the hangover will catch you before the flight ends. I rarely have more than one or at most two drinks on such a flight. Definitely bring the pain reliever you like along - tylenol, advil etc. - as well as something for your stomach - tagamet, rolaids, etc.

I would also strongly counsel you to invest in a decent set of eyemask and earplugs. People are going to be getting up and down and talking through much of your overnight flight. Shutting it out with a comfortable eyeshade and earplugs really, really helps. You might also want to bring your own light blanket and pillow - the stuff they give you on the plane is crap.

2. Eating and entertainment on the plane
Bring your own food on board. Most of the airport restaurants will sell you meals to go, and it's so much better for you. Bring along an apple or banana as well, make sure you have a bottle of water, and treat yourself to some kind of candy bar. Ladies tend to like to read celebrity magazines on long flights. Guys tend to disappear into their ipods and computers. Parents, this is where you might want to rent a DVD player from the inmotion kiosks you'll see in the airports...it's a pretty good service. There will be at least four movies on the main screens, or if you're on a more modern plane you'll have a seatback screen and lots of choices. Bring your own headphones if you can.

3. Get a good seat.
You can pick your seat via most airlines' websites. Go and check out your flight there, note the kind of airplane you are flying, and head over to http://seatguru.com to check whether you're in a good seat or not. You can find where the power outlets are, if you're close to the toilets (never a good thing) and if you're in one of the dreaded seats where the inflight entertainment box eats up all your legroom.

4. Wear something light.
It's going to be hot and humid when you get to Sao Paulo, and you're going to be tired and probably a little disoriented. If you're wearing clothes for eastern winters, suffice to say this will exacerbate your condition. Contemplate leaving the coat at home, or simply packing the warm stuff as soon as you get to the airport.

You'll get in around 9 or 10 in the morning Sao Paulo time, which is currently 2 hours ahead of US Eastern time. If you like to drink liquor, you should hit duty free at this point (best prices, especially with a strong dollar).

After that, everything's easy. We'll all be on the beach by Sunday evening, caipirinha in hand, with our choice of music at the beach bar.

As I think about logistics posts, I'll roll them out.