Random Fact Summary
1. I have not gotten a mosquito bite since I left the compound.
2. Rain is serious business here. Don´t be fooled by the false light sprinkle because everytime it rains, it will no doubt pour.
3. Food here is amazingly cheap!! We get R$10 Reais a day for food and today I only spen R$7, muito legal! Did I also mention that it is also insanely delicious?
4. Many conversations around here center around diarrhea or constipation.
5. It is constantly dreadfully, scorchingly, unbearably hot and humid.
6. I have been mistaken many times as a Brasileira.
7. My family is seriously the best family out of the whole group. I´m pretty sure about that.
8. I just learned how to play dominoes.
9. Evenings are spent hanging out on the stoop where without a doubt, someone you know will pass by.
10. I am starting to speak spanish with a portuguese accent.
11. I love you all and miss you all. Estou com saudade com voces!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
All of the food around here is buffet style, it's kind of ridiculous. and instead of keeping in shape, I'm going to turn into a huge round ball of fatty brazilian food rolling around on the beach. Not a pretty site. Today we went to the Federal Police to register our visas, which when we pay pack SIT will cost about $100!!! Our books are also going to cost about an extra $200 which I think is pretty much overkill for what we get. (a bunch of photocopies nicely binded) but ...oh well, I'm finally oficially legally registered to be in the country. yay, they won't kick me out unless I do something illegal!!!
Well, but on a lighter note, today we're getting cellphones which will make it ten times easier to call each other to hang out. Not good for our portuguese skills, but good for our social skills.
I am in LOVE with Brazil! the Food is so good, the people are so nice...definitely much different than anywhere else I've visited. for example, on the bus, if all the seats are taken and there are people standing in the aisles, people that are sitting down will offer to hold their belongings instead of offering their seat. A little weird, and I don't think I'll be handing off my things to random strangers.
This saturday, a bunch of people from the group are going to Praia do Futuro to actually go swimming. I hope I can bring my camera so I can send lots of people pictures of the beautiful beaches and scenery around here. And also sometime this weekend, I'm going to shopping with Daniele for some better shampoo and conditioner, because the stuff I brought is terrible for my hair and I can't really look like a mess when everyone around here that is close to my age always looks very chic (sheekee). Which is why it bothers me that SIT tells us to dress down and dirty and no nice clothes while everyone around me looks really nice. I think I'll have to find a medium, but not at the cost of my family looking down upon me because I look so haggard.
Yesterday we had our first lecture and if it's any indication of what future lectures are going to be like, then count me out because I was falling asleep sooooo bad!
Another thing that I was really excited about is all the life and vibrant culture and vibe that we have over here at IBEU. There are lots of cool posters. One that found particularly interesting was one that had a photo of George Bush as Hitler and is name spelled with a swastika in place of an S. ONe that I loved is a poster of Phil Collins for the READ. campaign that they had when we were in elementary school. I'm kind of in love with it and want to take it home.
There is very much a lack of personal space and small town attitude that I am not accustomed to. Everyone here knows everyone else's business like, "Last night I saw the american and ***** go into a motel last night." And let me tell you that info like that spreads faster than a plague over here. The lack of privacy is noted by the fact that the bathroom for the entire house is located right next to the kitchen with everyone else being able to hear all of your business. (I also think they don't flush after every use of the toilet...but I think that is to conserve water.
So far, I think I've only spent $40 which is really good, but starting tomorrow I'm going to be living off of IBEU money, which is good because they give us R$10 a day for meals and tickets to use on the bus. I can get a meal for R$5 and pocket the extra which in the end can accumulate to a lot of money.
Everyone here is already starting to plan our trip to Rio at the end of the program. Which for me means that I won't be able to visit Iguacu or Sao Paulo, but there is always a next time. My visa is valid for one year for multiple entries...so I will definitely be back. but We'lll see how much the plane tickets cost for me to actually get there.
Either way, Fortaleza is amazing and soon we'll be visitin Salvador which I hear is even more beautiful.
Well, but on a lighter note, today we're getting cellphones which will make it ten times easier to call each other to hang out. Not good for our portuguese skills, but good for our social skills.
I am in LOVE with Brazil! the Food is so good, the people are so nice...definitely much different than anywhere else I've visited. for example, on the bus, if all the seats are taken and there are people standing in the aisles, people that are sitting down will offer to hold their belongings instead of offering their seat. A little weird, and I don't think I'll be handing off my things to random strangers.
This saturday, a bunch of people from the group are going to Praia do Futuro to actually go swimming. I hope I can bring my camera so I can send lots of people pictures of the beautiful beaches and scenery around here. And also sometime this weekend, I'm going to shopping with Daniele for some better shampoo and conditioner, because the stuff I brought is terrible for my hair and I can't really look like a mess when everyone around here that is close to my age always looks very chic (sheekee). Which is why it bothers me that SIT tells us to dress down and dirty and no nice clothes while everyone around me looks really nice. I think I'll have to find a medium, but not at the cost of my family looking down upon me because I look so haggard.
Yesterday we had our first lecture and if it's any indication of what future lectures are going to be like, then count me out because I was falling asleep sooooo bad!
Another thing that I was really excited about is all the life and vibrant culture and vibe that we have over here at IBEU. There are lots of cool posters. One that found particularly interesting was one that had a photo of George Bush as Hitler and is name spelled with a swastika in place of an S. ONe that I loved is a poster of Phil Collins for the READ. campaign that they had when we were in elementary school. I'm kind of in love with it and want to take it home.
There is very much a lack of personal space and small town attitude that I am not accustomed to. Everyone here knows everyone else's business like, "Last night I saw the american and ***** go into a motel last night." And let me tell you that info like that spreads faster than a plague over here. The lack of privacy is noted by the fact that the bathroom for the entire house is located right next to the kitchen with everyone else being able to hear all of your business. (I also think they don't flush after every use of the toilet...but I think that is to conserve water.
So far, I think I've only spent $40 which is really good, but starting tomorrow I'm going to be living off of IBEU money, which is good because they give us R$10 a day for meals and tickets to use on the bus. I can get a meal for R$5 and pocket the extra which in the end can accumulate to a lot of money.
Everyone here is already starting to plan our trip to Rio at the end of the program. Which for me means that I won't be able to visit Iguacu or Sao Paulo, but there is always a next time. My visa is valid for one year for multiple entries...so I will definitely be back. but We'lll see how much the plane tickets cost for me to actually get there.
Either way, Fortaleza is amazing and soon we'll be visitin Salvador which I hear is even more beautiful.
Monday, February 25, 2008
IBEU
Sorry for the weird post last time, I literally had like a line of 5 people waiting to use the computer...internet access is not so great here and I haven´t been able to locate an internet cafe near my house.
I´m finally in my homestay family in the neighborhood of Christo Redentor. My family is amazing! When I first met my mom she gave me the biggest hug I´ve ever recieved and I instantl felt welcomed into the family. I have a younger sister named Ana-Natalia who is about 18 years old and Arquilau (Who they call Gou Gou) and another younger sister Ana-Lissa who is about 10 years old. I share a small room with my Tia Daniele who is about 24 and then there is the rest of the extended famiy that are in and out of the home millions of times of the day.
Everyone here loves to play practical jokes and love to give nicknames to EVERYONE. We have a family friend whose name is Popo and Julia who´s name is Julia, we call her Juju and my tio Sergio wanted to try to call me Ana Banana...although I told him that I really didn´t like the name and he just laughed at me.
On Sundays, my family just likes to sit outside and spend the day just chatting it up with friends that just pass by. And they do all the time. There are about 6 SIT students living in the neighborhood and so I see them often too.
Slang...no direct translation. Uh oh...in portuguese, the hip word to say is Ligao. To say that something is cool. So I tried to explain that to them that the equivalent would be cool, but they all started laughing at me again. later on I asked Daniele what it meant and she said that it sounded like the work Cu which in portuguese means "ass" definitely not cool.
Yesterday I went with Stephanie and my host brother and sister and their friends to Praia do futuro which is the popular and also very touristy beach of the city of Fortaleza. The buses here are a NIGHTMARE. However compared to the US they have a much better system and compared to Nicaragua, much better maintenance (no holes in the ground sort of deal) It only costs about 60 cents to ride the bus (american) which is super cheap! We went to go to a Swingera Festa which is like line-dancing...but brazilian style. (And yes, thong bikinis do exist and they told me that if I wear my swimsuit which is far from that, I will instantly be pointed out as american) I have had some luck as being able to pass as Brazilian, muito ligao, nao?
I also had my first taste of caiparinha the offical drink of Brazil which was more of a refresher rather than a drink. because the place was PACKED! Crushed like sardines and everyone trying to shake their booty. We finally went home and ate Pastel, a fried pastry with meat inside sooo good, but everyone noted that I was exhausted and so was everyone else.
I have so much more to write about, but not enough time as usual. These people really keep us on our feet.
In between taking four showers a day, eating, school, homework and spending time with friends and family...there is so little time for internet. More of an American thing I guess.
I will write more soon when my thoughts are composed. I need to drink some more water because the sun near the equator is killer.
Tchau bellas!!
Drop me a line, and as soon as I locate the nearest post office, I will be sure to send out letters.
I´m finally in my homestay family in the neighborhood of Christo Redentor. My family is amazing! When I first met my mom she gave me the biggest hug I´ve ever recieved and I instantl felt welcomed into the family. I have a younger sister named Ana-Natalia who is about 18 years old and Arquilau (Who they call Gou Gou) and another younger sister Ana-Lissa who is about 10 years old. I share a small room with my Tia Daniele who is about 24 and then there is the rest of the extended famiy that are in and out of the home millions of times of the day.
Everyone here loves to play practical jokes and love to give nicknames to EVERYONE. We have a family friend whose name is Popo and Julia who´s name is Julia, we call her Juju and my tio Sergio wanted to try to call me Ana Banana...although I told him that I really didn´t like the name and he just laughed at me.
On Sundays, my family just likes to sit outside and spend the day just chatting it up with friends that just pass by. And they do all the time. There are about 6 SIT students living in the neighborhood and so I see them often too.
Slang...no direct translation. Uh oh...in portuguese, the hip word to say is Ligao. To say that something is cool. So I tried to explain that to them that the equivalent would be cool, but they all started laughing at me again. later on I asked Daniele what it meant and she said that it sounded like the work Cu which in portuguese means "ass" definitely not cool.
Yesterday I went with Stephanie and my host brother and sister and their friends to Praia do futuro which is the popular and also very touristy beach of the city of Fortaleza. The buses here are a NIGHTMARE. However compared to the US they have a much better system and compared to Nicaragua, much better maintenance (no holes in the ground sort of deal) It only costs about 60 cents to ride the bus (american) which is super cheap! We went to go to a Swingera Festa which is like line-dancing...but brazilian style. (And yes, thong bikinis do exist and they told me that if I wear my swimsuit which is far from that, I will instantly be pointed out as american) I have had some luck as being able to pass as Brazilian, muito ligao, nao?
I also had my first taste of caiparinha the offical drink of Brazil which was more of a refresher rather than a drink. because the place was PACKED! Crushed like sardines and everyone trying to shake their booty. We finally went home and ate Pastel, a fried pastry with meat inside sooo good, but everyone noted that I was exhausted and so was everyone else.
I have so much more to write about, but not enough time as usual. These people really keep us on our feet.
In between taking four showers a day, eating, school, homework and spending time with friends and family...there is so little time for internet. More of an American thing I guess.
I will write more soon when my thoughts are composed. I need to drink some more water because the sun near the equator is killer.
Tchau bellas!!
Drop me a line, and as soon as I locate the nearest post office, I will be sure to send out letters.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
I'm here!!
I'm finally here in beautiful Brasil and it is amazing. Short time to be online, but I have lots of great photos already that I'm dying to share. I understand much more portuguese than I thought I would. I'm having a blast and it's only the first day!
tchau!
(E agora falo um poquito)
tchau!
(E agora falo um poquito)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Le Schedule
There's lots of fun goodies in store for four months worth of Brazilian adventures. Here is the madness that I'm so excited to get started on:
Brazil: Culture, Development & Social Justice
Spring 2008 Program Schedule
Praia do Jericoacoara
Rio de Janeiro
Iguacu Falls
Spring 2008 Program Schedule
February 18-24 - Arrival and OrientationFlight consists of LA - Miami - Manaus - Belem - Fortaleza for a total of 15 hours of flight time...yay!
February 25 - April 12 - Protuguese Language Study and Culture, Development & Social Justice Seminar, Field Study Seminar and concurrent homestay in Fortaleza
April 13-27 - Excursion to Bahia
April 28 - May 25 - Independent Study ProjectDuring this time I may have limited internet connection since we'll all be on our own doing our own research projects.
May 26 - June 1 - ISP Oral Presentations and Evaluation
June 2 - End of Scheduled program
June 10 - Ana leaves Brasil and arrives in the USA!!An extra week devoted to travel where I hope to get to go to Rio de Janeiro, Jericoacoara, Sao Paulo and other places in my travel guide. Also maybe an excursion to the Amazon or Iguacu Falls!
Praia do Jericoacoara
Rio de Janeiro
Iguacu Falls
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I'm ready to go!
So I just recieved some of the best news on the planet! Not only do I have a summer job set for when I come home from Study Abroad...I am actually going to study abroad!! It's been a hectic past three weeks with my Visa emotionally and mentally draining, but know I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I can finish my preparations for my Brazilian excursion. Now I need to make the loooong list of things that I still need to prepare. I'll get back to you on this.
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