As for the closeness we feel toward our friends, this is usually more like attachment than compassion.
Genuine compassion should be unbiased. If we only feel close to our friends, and not to our enemies, or to the countless people who are unknown to us personally and toward whom we are indifferent, then our compassion is only partial or biased.Genuine compassion is based on the recognition that others have the right to happiness just like yourself, and therefore even your enemy is a human being with the same wish for happiness as you, and the same right to happiness as you. A sense of concern developed on this basis is what we call compassion; it extends to everyone, irrespective of whether the person's attitude toward you is hostile or friendly."
I doubt I'm necessarily going into hostile territory on my way to Brazil, but I don't fool myself into believing that every person I will encounter will be a soul mate. Although I don't expect to make enemies during my time there, I'm sure I will run into people that frustrate me (and yes, I will frustrate many people while I'm there too, I'm sure). I pray I will be given the gift of compassion and similarly those I will encounter will extend this same blessing to me.