CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY THREE – DESPITE THE TRAFFIC JAM

They spent the rest of the evening planning their next move. Maria helped them map out the best route to the Biennale venue and advised them on which bus to take. "It's a long-distance bus," she explained. "It'll take you right into the heart of São Paulo. No more detours!" The next morning, armed with Maria's directions and a newfound determination, they set out for the bus station. As they boarded the correct bus (triple-checking to make sure), there was a sense of both relief and anticipation. As the bus pulled out of the station, Jasmine turned to Lenny. "Can you believe we're actually on the right track?" Lenny grinned. "I'll believe it when I see the Biennale with my own eyes." As the cityscape gave way to highways and countryside, they fell into conversation, reflecting on their journey so far. "You know," Jasmine said, "when I first got the invitation to the Biennale, I thought it was going to be my big break. The thing that would finally establish me as a 'real' artist."