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.