It's been a very rainy week.
Last night I went to to see my friend Maurício's band play at a little bar in Vida Madelena (the bohemian neighborhood). The ensemble included a Mandolin, a guitar, some percussion, a flute and female vocals occasionally. All of the musicians were extremely talented.
On that note, Mauricio is a star on the Mandolin and at the age of 22, I think a prodigy. During the show it rained and rained and after, it was pouring so hard that we couldn't leave. No worries though, I returned home safely.
It's true that you need a connection to access cool people and places in this enormous city(a Brazilian girl told me this). Maurício has a plethora of friends and acquaintances and they're almost all artists of some sort (dancers, film makers, painters, other musicians). His best friend happens to be studying Afro-Brazilian History and dropped a lot of history on Salvador last night. It was all in Portuguese but surprisingly I understood most of it.
On Tuesday night I met a group of Brazilians who had all spent some time in The States(random places like Texas and Oklahoma) and spoke English which made it easier for me to prove that I actually had a personality.
For some reason they knew a ton about Missouri. One guy asked me about Silver Dollar City and then told me he had been there. I think only my Missouri friends will understand how ridiculous that is.
Mostly it's exciting that I've been able to find people like me in this city of 10 million people. I'm only here for two more weeks but I'm glad that I'm starting to feel genuinely comfortable in São Paulo. Beijos.
-B
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Bijoux
Today I only had morning Portuguese class so at eleven I went home for lunch ( which included a DELICIOUS Moroccan chicken dish and the most perfect mango my lips have ever touched) and then I decided to take a little outing on my own. The destination was Rua 25 de Marzo, a street famous for being a place where you can buy anything and everything for cheap. Apparently around Christmas it's so packed that cars cant even drive through.
I went in search of a bag smaller than my backpack and bigger than my purse to put my school stuff in. In order to get there I first walk 15 minutes to the subway, transfer lines and it took my straight there. Once at Rua 25 de Marzo,(after a bit of walking to find the exact street) I paced the streets for hours. It was weird, there were hundreds of vendors selling more or less the same things. I can't tell you how many stores with "Bijoux" in the name and millions of rhinestone accessories inside I found. Imagine if every single dollar store in the world was put on one street.
Also, a lot of stores had a minimum purchase rule. So there would be a sign saying that you had to spend a minimum of 50 Reais, for example.
I mean, really? Why would I want 27 dollars worth of lame hair clips and cheap bracelets?
All in all, there was a lot of stuff but nothing that I wanted. It was very difficult to find a classic and practical bag among so many jeweled and patent leather accessories. Also, things were cheaper than at the mall, but not necessarily a good buy. I've found this to be mostly true everywhere here. Today in class we learned about how filthy rich Sao Paulo is. Really. Filthy rich. Somewhere in this city someone is bathing nude in blood diamonds.
That's probably why nothing is a good buy. Because most of the people here don't care about deals.
After I left Rua 25 de Marzo(several hours later) I got on the subway and headed back home. I decided to try a different route from the subway and ended up very lost and having to catch a cab(he actually ended up driving like a block too far up from where I needed to get off, so I had to walk a ways to my house anyway.)
I told my host mom and Sophia that I went to Rua 25 de Marzo and they were all, "You went by yourself?!" Which is interesting considering it's the only place where I wasn't hit on by an old creeper.
I told them that It wasn't crowded or scary. Just tacky. I have quite a bit of homework tonight so I'll be starting that. I'm pretty exhausted from the day. I can't say it was great, but it was definitely worthwhile. Beijos.
I went in search of a bag smaller than my backpack and bigger than my purse to put my school stuff in. In order to get there I first walk 15 minutes to the subway, transfer lines and it took my straight there. Once at Rua 25 de Marzo,(after a bit of walking to find the exact street) I paced the streets for hours. It was weird, there were hundreds of vendors selling more or less the same things. I can't tell you how many stores with "Bijoux" in the name and millions of rhinestone accessories inside I found. Imagine if every single dollar store in the world was put on one street.
Also, a lot of stores had a minimum purchase rule. So there would be a sign saying that you had to spend a minimum of 50 Reais, for example.
I mean, really? Why would I want 27 dollars worth of lame hair clips and cheap bracelets?
All in all, there was a lot of stuff but nothing that I wanted. It was very difficult to find a classic and practical bag among so many jeweled and patent leather accessories. Also, things were cheaper than at the mall, but not necessarily a good buy. I've found this to be mostly true everywhere here. Today in class we learned about how filthy rich Sao Paulo is. Really. Filthy rich. Somewhere in this city someone is bathing nude in blood diamonds.
That's probably why nothing is a good buy. Because most of the people here don't care about deals.
After I left Rua 25 de Marzo(several hours later) I got on the subway and headed back home. I decided to try a different route from the subway and ended up very lost and having to catch a cab(he actually ended up driving like a block too far up from where I needed to get off, so I had to walk a ways to my house anyway.)
I told my host mom and Sophia that I went to Rua 25 de Marzo and they were all, "You went by yourself?!" Which is interesting considering it's the only place where I wasn't hit on by an old creeper.
I told them that It wasn't crowded or scary. Just tacky. I have quite a bit of homework tonight so I'll be starting that. I'm pretty exhausted from the day. I can't say it was great, but it was definitely worthwhile. Beijos.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Lição
I spent basically all afternoon doing this absurdly tedious homework packet for Portuguese class.I just finished.I don't think that I'm exaggerating when I say that no homework has ever taken me that long. It doesn't feel that satisfying.
-B
-B
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Mosquitos biting my legs.
This morning I walked myself to the CIEE office
where I have my 4 hour Portuguese class. It's about a 15 minute walk
and the street that I have to walk the longest on is incredibly steep.
In fact, so steep that you can't see the top. The trek was definitely a struggle,but then I arrived sweating and exhausted and felt so accomplished.
I'll say it again: I love my 4 hour Portuguese class.
I didn't think it was possible but it flies by.
For lunch we went to a restaurant where they charge you by how much your plate weighs. They're pretty popular. The meat here is really good. I'm not a huge meat person but once again the meat here is delicious. Especially the beef. Oh and I had great lemon mousse.
The afternoon Brazilian culture lecture was substantially better today. I could actually understand a lot of what he was saying. I don't know if I'm getting better or it was just a clearer lecture.
I think I'm getting better.
After class, Fernanda one of the CIEE workers who is actually only 22 and a student at the University here, took me to her mom's dentist where there were the best dressed receptionists that I've ever seen. The dentist was an incredibly sweet lady with a cute little blond braid. She also spoke English which was helpful. She fixed my tooth (a fractured filling) and cleaned my teeth for 150 Reais which is like 80 dollars maybe.I didn't even need anesthesia. Then she gave Fernanda and me the little toothpaste tubes. She might be the best dentist I've ever had.
Fernanda just dropped me off back at home in a taxi.
I know it's still really early but I get why Americans come here and
just stay. It's been one of those days where you come home really happy. The mosquitos are out to play but I feel good. Beijos!
where I have my 4 hour Portuguese class. It's about a 15 minute walk
and the street that I have to walk the longest on is incredibly steep.
In fact, so steep that you can't see the top. The trek was definitely a struggle,but then I arrived sweating and exhausted and felt so accomplished.
I'll say it again: I love my 4 hour Portuguese class.
I didn't think it was possible but it flies by.
For lunch we went to a restaurant where they charge you by how much your plate weighs. They're pretty popular. The meat here is really good. I'm not a huge meat person but once again the meat here is delicious. Especially the beef. Oh and I had great lemon mousse.
The afternoon Brazilian culture lecture was substantially better today. I could actually understand a lot of what he was saying. I don't know if I'm getting better or it was just a clearer lecture.
I think I'm getting better.
After class, Fernanda one of the CIEE workers who is actually only 22 and a student at the University here, took me to her mom's dentist where there were the best dressed receptionists that I've ever seen. The dentist was an incredibly sweet lady with a cute little blond braid. She also spoke English which was helpful. She fixed my tooth (a fractured filling) and cleaned my teeth for 150 Reais which is like 80 dollars maybe.I didn't even need anesthesia. Then she gave Fernanda and me the little toothpaste tubes. She might be the best dentist I've ever had.
Fernanda just dropped me off back at home in a taxi.
I know it's still really early but I get why Americans come here and
just stay. It's been one of those days where you come home really happy. The mosquitos are out to play but I feel good. Beijos!
B
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Eu adoro
I moved in with my host family this week. My host mom is a journalist. Her name is Nelcy. I also have two host sisters Olivia (18) and Sophia (21). Sophia has a boyfriend named Ricardo who I consider my host brother. I adore my host siblings. They are hilarious and in general good company. They've really gone out of their way to make me feel comfortable. We've been speaking in English which I know is bad, but it was really important to me to establish a relationship with them first. We'll start with Portuguese this week for sure. I've asked Nelcy to start speaking to me in Portuguese and she does. Then I look confused. And she repeats it. Then she repeats it again in English.
They live in a beautiful peach and teal home with a garden in the front. Their house is full of art and contemporary furniture and the kitchen has 50's style black and white tile. My room is small but very comfortable (Barbie sheets!). I have a wonderful view of rooftops from my window and there's also a pomegranate tree (too far to reach).
Today was my first day of class. I love my Portuguese teacher. She has some excellent teaching methods. I spoke more Portuguese in class today than I have since I began learning the language. There was some awkward racial stuff but I think that will happen a lot while I'm here so I won't sweat it...yet. The class on Brazilian culture proved to be much harder. Picture a one hour lecture on modernism in a language that you don't really understand. I had an awful headache by the end. After class my host mom picked me up and we went home. I took two pain meds and "napped" until 7:30pm. Oh I also discovered today that I chipped a molar sometime this afternoon. It's sort of sharp but otherwise I don't notice it. I should go to a dentist. I'll see if CIEE can help me tomorrow.
Now because of my odd sleep schedule I'm not entirely sure when to go to bed. That being said I am feeling tired again. I'm not exactly sure why I'm so exhausted. I think it's probably the heat. I've been watching American television with Portuguese subtitles all night. It's great. Super helpful. The best are music videos because lyrics are typically very simple.
On a final note, today my dad signed an e-mail "Tchau!" So very sweet.
Beijos,
B
They live in a beautiful peach and teal home with a garden in the front. Their house is full of art and contemporary furniture and the kitchen has 50's style black and white tile. My room is small but very comfortable (Barbie sheets!). I have a wonderful view of rooftops from my window and there's also a pomegranate tree (too far to reach).
Today was my first day of class. I love my Portuguese teacher. She has some excellent teaching methods. I spoke more Portuguese in class today than I have since I began learning the language. There was some awkward racial stuff but I think that will happen a lot while I'm here so I won't sweat it...yet. The class on Brazilian culture proved to be much harder. Picture a one hour lecture on modernism in a language that you don't really understand. I had an awful headache by the end. After class my host mom picked me up and we went home. I took two pain meds and "napped" until 7:30pm. Oh I also discovered today that I chipped a molar sometime this afternoon. It's sort of sharp but otherwise I don't notice it. I should go to a dentist. I'll see if CIEE can help me tomorrow.
Now because of my odd sleep schedule I'm not entirely sure when to go to bed. That being said I am feeling tired again. I'm not exactly sure why I'm so exhausted. I think it's probably the heat. I've been watching American television with Portuguese subtitles all night. It's great. Super helpful. The best are music videos because lyrics are typically very simple.
On a final note, today my dad signed an e-mail "Tchau!" So very sweet.
Beijos,
B
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Day 1
I'm here and everything is wonderful. Really.
I keep comparing this to the first week of college. Remember how time felt like it was flying by because so much was happening? I feel like I've been here much longer than 1 day.
CIEE has put us up in a very nice hotel for orientation. There's wonderful art on the walls. This morning I woke up late and as I was reaching for a pair of jeans and a sweater I remembered that I was in Brazil. What a fantastic realization.
Yesterday was a lot of meeting people and eating. We went to a buffet for lunch and I was surprised to find that I had no clue what anything was. I could tell what was meat and what was pasta and what was vegetables but I couldn't really read the signs or make out specific flavors. Although everything was delicious that was definitely my "Shit, I'm in Brazil for real" moment. After lunch I went and found Angela.
There are no words to express how good it is to have a close friend nearby at moments like these. We hugged and hugged like we hadn't seen each other in years. Interestingly enough, Angela is rooming with a girl who goes to MU and is friends with my friend since middle school, Noah. They're both so comforting to have here--two "hometown" connections.
Later that evening we did some orientation stuff and had dinner and then the CIEE people told us they were taking us dancing. We walked about two miles to a club which wasn't open yet at 11:00pm (we are not in Minnesota anymore) and then got cabs and headed back to a place closer to the hotel. The walk ended up not being in vain because we got a great walking tour of the city. The club was fun and we headed back around 1 which was perfect for our 7am wake up call this morning. Today is mostly more orientation. I'm meeting my host family tonight which is a little scary even though they seem very nice.
I probably wont write everyday but I think that it's important to write at the beginning at least.
Tchau!
-B
I keep comparing this to the first week of college. Remember how time felt like it was flying by because so much was happening? I feel like I've been here much longer than 1 day.
CIEE has put us up in a very nice hotel for orientation. There's wonderful art on the walls. This morning I woke up late and as I was reaching for a pair of jeans and a sweater I remembered that I was in Brazil. What a fantastic realization.
Yesterday was a lot of meeting people and eating. We went to a buffet for lunch and I was surprised to find that I had no clue what anything was. I could tell what was meat and what was pasta and what was vegetables but I couldn't really read the signs or make out specific flavors. Although everything was delicious that was definitely my "Shit, I'm in Brazil for real" moment. After lunch I went and found Angela.
There are no words to express how good it is to have a close friend nearby at moments like these. We hugged and hugged like we hadn't seen each other in years. Interestingly enough, Angela is rooming with a girl who goes to MU and is friends with my friend since middle school, Noah. They're both so comforting to have here--two "hometown" connections.
Later that evening we did some orientation stuff and had dinner and then the CIEE people told us they were taking us dancing. We walked about two miles to a club which wasn't open yet at 11:00pm (we are not in Minnesota anymore) and then got cabs and headed back to a place closer to the hotel. The walk ended up not being in vain because we got a great walking tour of the city. The club was fun and we headed back around 1 which was perfect for our 7am wake up call this morning. Today is mostly more orientation. I'm meeting my host family tonight which is a little scary even though they seem very nice.
I probably wont write everyday but I think that it's important to write at the beginning at least.
Tchau!
-B
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Update
My flight arrived to Chicago on Wednesday morning almost 30 minutes late. As a result I missed the block of time for visa inquiries at the consulate but knew I could return on Thursday and tried not to sweat it.
On Thursday at the consulate I sat in the oddly sterile waiting room with my heart frantically beating out of my chest. I think I knew things were going to be okay when I heard the guy ahead of me (one of four, middle aged White guys traveling to Brazil "on business") go up to the window and say "Hey I need a visa to Brazil and I'm leaving on January 9th. Can I get one by then?" and the woman replied "Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem." I remember being annoyed with him and the ease with which he asked the question and I still don't understand why anyone who intentionally wait last minute to apply for a visa.
Once I got to the window myself, I explained the situation, the lady took my application and then told me "You're leaving on January 8th? We'll send it either on Monday or Tuesday. Is that okay?" And that was it. So, God granted, I should have my visa by Wednesday and leave on time.
Currently I'm in Minnesota buying my time until January 3rd when a flight back to Missouri was cheaper. Despite all of the last minute traveling and stress, I've actually had a lot of fun the past few days.Go figure.
7 days and counting.
-B
On Thursday at the consulate I sat in the oddly sterile waiting room with my heart frantically beating out of my chest. I think I knew things were going to be okay when I heard the guy ahead of me (one of four, middle aged White guys traveling to Brazil "on business") go up to the window and say "Hey I need a visa to Brazil and I'm leaving on January 9th. Can I get one by then?" and the woman replied "Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem." I remember being annoyed with him and the ease with which he asked the question and I still don't understand why anyone who intentionally wait last minute to apply for a visa.
Once I got to the window myself, I explained the situation, the lady took my application and then told me "You're leaving on January 8th? We'll send it either on Monday or Tuesday. Is that okay?" And that was it. So, God granted, I should have my visa by Wednesday and leave on time.
Currently I'm in Minnesota buying my time until January 3rd when a flight back to Missouri was cheaper. Despite all of the last minute traveling and stress, I've actually had a lot of fun the past few days.Go figure.
7 days and counting.
-B
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