Fiona,

Brazilian way of life is full of friendship and affection.
Usually people that are not a part of a family are welcomed
with joy and happiness.

Visitors are treated like a part of family and is not unusual
a brazilian sleep in the floor to make her visit more comfortable
in his bed.

I hope when you came back to Brazil again, we can met and talk each other.

As for yerbamate I´m looking for a very hard organic concentrated
powder extract, but here there are a few farmers that grow organic mate,
because tea is often used as a soft drink in summer!!!.

I will do a research with friends in Argentina and see what I got.