Brazil is getting easier to get around, mainly because I am finally being able to quasi-communicate with my slowly improving Portuguese. So much has happened, but here are some high lights.
Last week, I went to my first local soccer game! We rode with Kristen´s host brother in a car that may or may not have been held together with gum and tape. The soccer game was held in Barra Dào, where guards with dogs were in every corner and guards in lines would walk up and down the stands. On two occasions, the guards with dogs had to charge the middle of the field to avert a fight or to protect a ref. The best part of the experience was a particular enthusiastic fan, standing behind us who would cheer or curse very loudly. One of my fav comments was "oi (Vitoria player)your mom´s a whore!" Overall, the experience was great.
This past weekend, the group went to an MST camp and stayed in an MST settlement, amongst some of the poorest people in Brazil. We were about an hour out of Salvador and truely living the country life- tending to the fields during the day and laying under the stars at night. For the first time in a month, the night was quiet and cool. We were invited to a birthday party, did some samba-ing, and plently of talking to the locals. Experiencing life in an MST settlement was incredibly humbling and I was impressed with the community. Community members grew their own food and if they had extra they sold it or gave it to a neighbor in need. Conversation and spending time with people severely outweigh material possessions. Community members are expected to behave well, all those who break the rules are voted out of the settlement. Only one homocide has occured in the past 13 years.
We also visited Cachoeira, a very important historic city in Bahia. The buildings were all vibrantly colored, which is a common theme in Brazil, and the town was rich with Brazilian history. Overall, the weekend was great. I am very dirty and need to do a lot of laundry.
The weeks go by fast- full of class and afternoon adventures. It takes a lot of time to get to and from school. And homework, what is that again? The Independent Study Project has taken over my school lens. I am planning on working and doing a film project on street children in Brazil.
I´ll check in again after next weekend. Ciao, ciao.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
At home in Salvador
It´s a lazy Tuesday afternoon in Salvador, and I am supposed to be looking up resources for my ISP: instead I am taking advantage of the free internet and skypeing Meredith, catching up on emails, and updating my blog.
I have been living with my new Mom and host family in Fazenda Garcia. It´s a nice neighborhood that is within walking distance from my school, the beach, and any shopping or activities I could ever possibly want to do. My mom, Ivone, is very patient with me and communicating with the family and other Bahians is getting better. My Portuguese still has miles to come before I can start researching for my ISP. Classes are every day, 2 hours of Portuguese in the morning, and the two other classes in the afternoon for an additional 2 hours.
Here are some highlights. We attended a bale folorico, which was a theatrical candomble and capoeira play. It was the best capoeira I have seen thus far. They, however, have a long ways to go before they match my astounding capoeira skills, which I have been acquiring in a class every Tuesday and Friday night in my neighborhood.
I have been going to the beach at a slightly alarming rate, usually 3 or 4 times per week. Our advisors warn us not to eat the sticks of cheese that smell oh-so-delicious, or any other vendor food on the beach to avoid living on the toilet. I have adhered to their suggestions so far, but it´s hard. If we must try things, they suggest trying them on a Friday so we have the weekend to recover.
I have attended many a festes and some concerts and samba gigs as well. All relaxing services, ie messages and mani/pedis are super cheap- $10 and $6 respectively. While many activities and aspects of life in Bahia are good, some are hard to get used to. Studying abroad is all about feeling very intense emotions. Emotions range from being very happy to being very scared and nervous. I am constantly outside my comfort zone, but am learning loads about Brazil, myself, and the States all at the same time.
I tried to make French toast for my host mom this morning and failed miserably. I think I will leave all the cooking up to her. Also, I returned home on Saturday night to find a present from my mom on my door. It was a bag, about the size of an ipod with, you guessed it... a Brazilian bikini inside!! Apparently, my American bikini is grossly oversized and this new itzy bitzy, teeny weeny, blue poco dot bikini was to be my new beach attire. It´s hairy scary down under so I´m hoping to find a sanitary waxing place soon.
Two of our fellow group members were robbed in plain sight at 11 am on Sunday morning. I will be very surprised if I return to the states with everything I left with. I need to go get some work done so I can get up and run around my usual track. Can I make it around the 1.5 mile loop 3 times? Internet is sketchy, I will try to reconnect soon.
Much love and until next time.
I have been living with my new Mom and host family in Fazenda Garcia. It´s a nice neighborhood that is within walking distance from my school, the beach, and any shopping or activities I could ever possibly want to do. My mom, Ivone, is very patient with me and communicating with the family and other Bahians is getting better. My Portuguese still has miles to come before I can start researching for my ISP. Classes are every day, 2 hours of Portuguese in the morning, and the two other classes in the afternoon for an additional 2 hours.
Here are some highlights. We attended a bale folorico, which was a theatrical candomble and capoeira play. It was the best capoeira I have seen thus far. They, however, have a long ways to go before they match my astounding capoeira skills, which I have been acquiring in a class every Tuesday and Friday night in my neighborhood.
I have been going to the beach at a slightly alarming rate, usually 3 or 4 times per week. Our advisors warn us not to eat the sticks of cheese that smell oh-so-delicious, or any other vendor food on the beach to avoid living on the toilet. I have adhered to their suggestions so far, but it´s hard. If we must try things, they suggest trying them on a Friday so we have the weekend to recover.
I have attended many a festes and some concerts and samba gigs as well. All relaxing services, ie messages and mani/pedis are super cheap- $10 and $6 respectively. While many activities and aspects of life in Bahia are good, some are hard to get used to. Studying abroad is all about feeling very intense emotions. Emotions range from being very happy to being very scared and nervous. I am constantly outside my comfort zone, but am learning loads about Brazil, myself, and the States all at the same time.
I tried to make French toast for my host mom this morning and failed miserably. I think I will leave all the cooking up to her. Also, I returned home on Saturday night to find a present from my mom on my door. It was a bag, about the size of an ipod with, you guessed it... a Brazilian bikini inside!! Apparently, my American bikini is grossly oversized and this new itzy bitzy, teeny weeny, blue poco dot bikini was to be my new beach attire. It´s hairy scary down under so I´m hoping to find a sanitary waxing place soon.
Two of our fellow group members were robbed in plain sight at 11 am on Sunday morning. I will be very surprised if I return to the states with everything I left with. I need to go get some work done so I can get up and run around my usual track. Can I make it around the 1.5 mile loop 3 times? Internet is sketchy, I will try to reconnect soon.
Much love and until next time.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Orientation- Starting Thoughts
I've been in Brazil for a whole week and have started to get to know my 11 new friends and Salvador, my new home city. Orientation ended today, and in half an hour our host families come to pick us up.
Rewind to my first thoughts and impressions of Brazil. The airplane ride was long and arriving here was a little chaotic. Some members of the group were lost and arrived the next day. I was lucky enough to have Kristen, one of my good friends from Gettysburg, on the trip so everything wasn't new. I've come to know my fellow members of the group and I like them all, and can see myself staying friends with these people for a long time.
Brazil is HOT! The summer is ending and Carnival ended the week before we got here. I think that's one of the main reasons that my program started so late- Carnival would have been WAY too big of a distraction. Remnants still remain in the streets. After Carnival, everything shuts down for a few weeks. Unless you are preparing to be a Samba Queen for next year's festival, in which case you start dieting, exercising, and practicing now. My Academic Director's name is Damiana: a very attractive, intelligent Afro-Brazilian woman who has a Ph.D. in anthropology and is a physician with experience in mental health, psychoanalysis, and management of health facilities. She works closely with two other very smart, helpful Bahians.
My first impressions of Bahians are that they are layed back, super hospitable, and people who like to have a fun time. One of the directors, Francisco, told us today that if Bahians are faced with a dilemma of doing their work or going to a party, they will do their work in a party-like fashion. We have used the public buses to get back and forth from our orientation house to the city, and almost everyone on the bus is very happy to tell you how to get from point A to point B, and striking a conversation is very easy. As we drive along the white sand beaches, people of all different sizes, shapes, and colors are strutting their stuff in the famous Brazilian bikinis. People are beautiful here, not because of their BMI, but because they carry themselves with confidence and are very comfortable in their own skin.
Salvador is big and rich with history. It is the first capital of Brazil and has lots of history of the original Tupi Brazilian tribes. The colors are vibrant, so between that and the sun, sunglasses are needed at all times. And sun block- the sun is very intense. I have decided to embrace my constant state of sweating. There are bunches of street vendors selling anything from water, to pills, to ice cream, to fruit. We have been warned to stay away until we build up a tolerance, and if we can't resist to try things on Friday's so we have the weekend to recover.
During orientation, we learned about all the possible diseases we could contract (there are many), as well as culture, a detailed outline of the semester, how to get around the city, what to expect from host families, etc, etc. One of the last lessons was a Samba dance lesson. The guys drumming were rediculously attractive, which is the case with most Brazilian men and women. The dance was intense, but now I feel more prepared to go out dancing. It's the thing to do here.
Final thoughts are that Bahia is one of the most hospitable and relaxed place in Brazil and probably in the world. People will stop what they're doing to help you out or show you around. They also are very obsessed with making sure that you have eaten enough and do everything they can to make sure you are comfortable. The first morning I was a little freaked out that I was committed to staying here for 3 1/2 months, but now I think that 3 1/2 months is not going to be nearly long enough. Ciao for now.
Rewind to my first thoughts and impressions of Brazil. The airplane ride was long and arriving here was a little chaotic. Some members of the group were lost and arrived the next day. I was lucky enough to have Kristen, one of my good friends from Gettysburg, on the trip so everything wasn't new. I've come to know my fellow members of the group and I like them all, and can see myself staying friends with these people for a long time.
Brazil is HOT! The summer is ending and Carnival ended the week before we got here. I think that's one of the main reasons that my program started so late- Carnival would have been WAY too big of a distraction. Remnants still remain in the streets. After Carnival, everything shuts down for a few weeks. Unless you are preparing to be a Samba Queen for next year's festival, in which case you start dieting, exercising, and practicing now. My Academic Director's name is Damiana: a very attractive, intelligent Afro-Brazilian woman who has a Ph.D. in anthropology and is a physician with experience in mental health, psychoanalysis, and management of health facilities. She works closely with two other very smart, helpful Bahians.
My first impressions of Bahians are that they are layed back, super hospitable, and people who like to have a fun time. One of the directors, Francisco, told us today that if Bahians are faced with a dilemma of doing their work or going to a party, they will do their work in a party-like fashion. We have used the public buses to get back and forth from our orientation house to the city, and almost everyone on the bus is very happy to tell you how to get from point A to point B, and striking a conversation is very easy. As we drive along the white sand beaches, people of all different sizes, shapes, and colors are strutting their stuff in the famous Brazilian bikinis. People are beautiful here, not because of their BMI, but because they carry themselves with confidence and are very comfortable in their own skin.
Salvador is big and rich with history. It is the first capital of Brazil and has lots of history of the original Tupi Brazilian tribes. The colors are vibrant, so between that and the sun, sunglasses are needed at all times. And sun block- the sun is very intense. I have decided to embrace my constant state of sweating. There are bunches of street vendors selling anything from water, to pills, to ice cream, to fruit. We have been warned to stay away until we build up a tolerance, and if we can't resist to try things on Friday's so we have the weekend to recover.
During orientation, we learned about all the possible diseases we could contract (there are many), as well as culture, a detailed outline of the semester, how to get around the city, what to expect from host families, etc, etc. One of the last lessons was a Samba dance lesson. The guys drumming were rediculously attractive, which is the case with most Brazilian men and women. The dance was intense, but now I feel more prepared to go out dancing. It's the thing to do here.
Final thoughts are that Bahia is one of the most hospitable and relaxed place in Brazil and probably in the world. People will stop what they're doing to help you out or show you around. They also are very obsessed with making sure that you have eaten enough and do everything they can to make sure you are comfortable. The first morning I was a little freaked out that I was committed to staying here for 3 1/2 months, but now I think that 3 1/2 months is not going to be nearly long enough. Ciao for now.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Pre-Brazil
I created this blog for a number of reasons. First, I wanted something to keep my thoughts and adventures, so what better than an online journal! More than that, I didn't want to sit down, compose emails, and clog inboxes. This blog was created for me and whoever is truely interested in reading what it is that I am doing. I will pour out my feelings, thoughts, adventures and heart in this blog. Stay posted.
I started this adventure with a wicked long winter break. Snowboarding, cross country skiing, New Year's in Bozeman with old friends, and hanging with my family in Montana was amazing and rejuvinating. I crave the solitude and comfort that home brings.
My study abroad program in Brazil started March 1st. After home, I spent two weeks in Santa Barbara, California where I interned at a non-profit which was created by a wonderful family. The foundation focused on improving the lives of children and safety for the city. I was privileged enough to be able to do a lot of traveling with my second mom, Natalie. While living the life of a spoiled bum, I hit the slopes and hit the theaters during Sundance in Utah, which was closely followed by some superb films at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. California was beautiful and I had such a great, relaxing time. :) I was sick for a few weeks, but after sleeping for 15 hours a day and taking Chinese herbs (YUCK) I was finally healed.
At the internship, I learned what it was like to work at a nonprofit, and I also witnessed how powerful grassroot efforts can be. People with money and a good heart combined with other people who possess compassion and good ideas makes for powerful social change. As my Granddad believes, those who use love as a social tool are the most happy and make the biggest differences in life. Always love and be kind.
California was followed by a few brief hours in Montana to pack up and watch Austin play basketball. Then, it was off to Key West for five days to visit my Granddad and Marilyn. What a time that was!! Key West is unlike any place I've ever been in the US. While speeding around the 4 by 2 mile island on bike, the most dangerous things are taxi drivers and random chickens in the street. Or, it's your granddad riding next to you at the same insane speed with a beer in his hand! Between that, the drag queen show, and bar hopping with people 15+ years older, I had a great 5 days. Again, family is my favorite thing. That and this new thing called TRAVELING!!!! See you all in Brazil!!!! (ok, I'm cheating since I'm already here, but that will be a new post.)
I started this adventure with a wicked long winter break. Snowboarding, cross country skiing, New Year's in Bozeman with old friends, and hanging with my family in Montana was amazing and rejuvinating. I crave the solitude and comfort that home brings.
My study abroad program in Brazil started March 1st. After home, I spent two weeks in Santa Barbara, California where I interned at a non-profit which was created by a wonderful family. The foundation focused on improving the lives of children and safety for the city. I was privileged enough to be able to do a lot of traveling with my second mom, Natalie. While living the life of a spoiled bum, I hit the slopes and hit the theaters during Sundance in Utah, which was closely followed by some superb films at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. California was beautiful and I had such a great, relaxing time. :) I was sick for a few weeks, but after sleeping for 15 hours a day and taking Chinese herbs (YUCK) I was finally healed.
At the internship, I learned what it was like to work at a nonprofit, and I also witnessed how powerful grassroot efforts can be. People with money and a good heart combined with other people who possess compassion and good ideas makes for powerful social change. As my Granddad believes, those who use love as a social tool are the most happy and make the biggest differences in life. Always love and be kind.
California was followed by a few brief hours in Montana to pack up and watch Austin play basketball. Then, it was off to Key West for five days to visit my Granddad and Marilyn. What a time that was!! Key West is unlike any place I've ever been in the US. While speeding around the 4 by 2 mile island on bike, the most dangerous things are taxi drivers and random chickens in the street. Or, it's your granddad riding next to you at the same insane speed with a beer in his hand! Between that, the drag queen show, and bar hopping with people 15+ years older, I had a great 5 days. Again, family is my favorite thing. That and this new thing called TRAVELING!!!! See you all in Brazil!!!! (ok, I'm cheating since I'm already here, but that will be a new post.)
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