One of the Greatest “Coincidences” of My Life: My Arrival in the United States in 2006

Leonardo Merçon
Oct 10
4 min read

From Vitória to Colorado: with nothing but courage

December 2006. I was 25 years old when I landed in the United States for the first time, chasing my professional dream — to buy my first professional digital camera.

At that time, digital cameras were still expensive and hard to find in Brazil, especially high-resolution models with specialized lenses — like the telephoto lens I dreamed of for photographing birds, and a macro lens for capturing details such as amphibians and flowers.

I arrived at Denver Airport not really knowing what to do, where to go, or what to expect. My final destination was Breckenridge, also in Colorado, where I had gotten a job as a mountain photographer at a ski resort. But, as with any true adventure, nothing went exactly as planned.

The first surprise: the airline had lost my luggage. And by coincidence — or fate — two women from my home state, Manuela and Juliana, who were on the same flight, were in the same situation. After long conversations and failed attempts to solve the problem, we finally managed to get the airline to agree to send our bags as soon as we could provide an address.

There was only one problem: I didn’t have a hotel reservation. Yes — I had arrived in another country, in the middle of winter, below freezing temperatures, with no place to sleep that night — and no cellphone or internet like we have today.

Between Bad Luck and Good Fortune

What could have been a disaster turned into one of the greatest strokes of luck in my life. Manuela and Juliana, realizing my situation, kindly offered me a place to stay for a few days at the house they were sharing with other Brazilians in the town of Keystone — about two hours from the airport and one hour from Breckenridge, where I was supposed to work. Not knowing anyone, with no cell signal and limited English, I gratefully accepted the offer.

We took a shuttle van and climbed the mountains through a snowstorm. We arrived at night to a simple, cozy house surrounded by snow and silence. As soon as I stepped inside — right past the entryway typical of northern homes, where you take off wet boots and coats — I looked up the stairs and froze.

Who did I see there? One of my best friends from Brazil.

Yes — a close friend of mine, who had also traveled to the U.S. chasing new opportunities, happened to be living in the same house with those girls. It was Yuri Salvador, a college friend I’m still in touch with almost 20 years later.

I had expected to spend my first night alone in a strange place, but instead, I was welcomed by familiar faces — in a coincidence straight out of a movie.

An Unforgettable Season

I was warmly welcomed by everyone. Since my friend could vouch for me, they quickly invited me to stay in the house for the rest of the winter season. We shared small rooms, mattresses on the floor, laughter, and challenges.

Everyone there had the same goal: to grow, to learn, to pursue their dreams — and mine was to save enough money to buy my first professional camera, the one that would allow me to begin my journey in nature photography.

I worked intensely over the following months. As a photographer on the ski slopes, I took photos of tourists, skiers, and snowboarders every day, through snow and strong winds. I rarely took a day off — maybe one a month — but occasionally I would strap on a snowboard and feel the rush of that new world for myself.

A Journey of Learning

That time in my life taught me a lot — about myself, about the world, and about the importance of being welcomed and welcoming others. I had no idea what living abroad would be like, but I gained friends, grew as a person, and came back to Brazil with the equipment I needed to start my first major project: a nature photography book that would also become my university graduation project.

Looking back now, I realize that choosing to follow my dream, even without guarantees, shaped everything that came afterward. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who crossed my path at that time — Manuela, Juliana, Arisio, Pedro, Rafael, Camila, Mariela, and, of course, my friend from the stairs, Yuri — all of whom shared that roof full of hope with me.

Want to know how this adventure continued? In the next story, I’ll share what it was like to work as a photographer on the ski slopes of North America — and how that experience transformed my vision as a nature photographer in Brazil.

So follow me on social media! There are still many stories to tell and countless images captured around the world since those first days — with snow under my feet and dreams in my heart. 🏔📷