What I Love about Brazil

As I am entering my last week (I leave December 18), I am beginning to think about all of the things in Brazil that I will miss. I cannot believe that two months have come and gone in what seems like the blinking of an eye. I have truly come to love this place. So without anymore sentimental ramblings, I will begin my list of things that I love and will miss.

1. The people. Why? Well, on your way to the store, at least one person and most likely far more than that will just strike up a conversation with you. I love this! Everyone is so friendly. Granted, I do have a problem with this and that is the fact that I understand pequeno. Therefore, I find myself smiling, laughing and hoping that "sim" or "da" are the appropriate responses. I will really miss my students and the staff here...I really enjoy each day because I know that I get to see them.

2. Guarana...I might have some serious withdraw problems...This is a Brazilian pop that is only found here...it is flavored by some a fruit and has more caffeine than Mountain Dew...(its ingredients are found in many American energy drinks). Let's just say, I just got back from the store and bought as much as I could to take back with me...

3. The breggae music. Now this music is like an annoying techno...the background is techno but then you have voices shouting in it..it is played all through the night (very loudly) and from cars like the picture below...I do not think I will be able to sleep without blaring music, it might be too quiet.

4. The lifestyle. Everything is so layed back and relational here. It is strange to be to an event on time, in fact it is expected that you will arrive at least a half hour after the start time. There is no rush to get somewhere or anything...the only problem with this is that not much gets done. But, lots of talking takes place!

5. The styles. Let's just say the hot weather effects the styles and trends...sometimes I catch myself staring at some of the latest fashions...I think this picture says it all...

6. The terrential downpours....yesterday I got caught in a good rain...I have never been so drenched. I was on my way back from the mall and since I do not have a car I use the bus. The bus stop is within walking distance, but still quite a hike. I was drenched to the bone. It was wonderful.

7. The hippie fair. I love the hippie fair, I am going this Sunday and it will be my fourth time. It is basically a public square filled with little huts selling crafts and things. I love it because everything is cheap, handmade, and it is always filled with people.

Those are just a few of the things that I will miss, and there are many more. I have truly loved Brazil and most of that is because of the people. I know I will miss it very much! Someday, I hope to return.

On another note, I am so excited to see everyone from home!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to be in the snow (notice how I did not mention the heat as something I will miss).

Cortajuba!!!

This weekend, I had the opporunity to visit an island in the Amazon River. It is an undeveloped island mostly. There are no cars on the island. They are just now bringing motorcycles onto the island. I went with a friend from the school that I teach at and a girl from Aninindeau. We went to visit her "goodmother's" hotel on the island. (I think goodmother is equivalent to godmother...not sure). We arrived on the island and immediately saw the "chariots" (horse and buggies) and the "cable" (a tram pulled by a tractor). We had to quick hop on the cable to ride to our beach which was about twenty minutes away.

The beach was gorgeous!!! The strangest thing was the waves. They were huge, but they were river waves...wierd. A wave literally caught me and made me tumble. They were typical ocean size waves....It was beautiful. I just loved the relaxed lifestyle of the 200 or so people who live on the island.

While on the island, I thought that I should try some of the foods it had to offer. In Brazil, fruit trees are everywhere and people just eat fruit off of them. I had yet to do this...so I thought that I should. While in Cortajuba...so I picked a starfruit and ate it. And it was good. Better than the starfruit was the coffee some woman made for me....oh my goodness. I could have died it was that good. I can confidently say that I will never have a cup of coffee ever again that tasted that good. When I asked her what type of coffee she used, she laughed at me and said it was just coffee. I think I am just not meant to know. Also, I enjoyed some very fresh fish and crab...for around what would equal 4 dollars...great price.

Realizing that we were running late, we had no other choice but to choose the more dangerous form of transportaion...moto taxis! I was so excited and so nervous...Let me explain why: the roads are dirt, there are many giant potholes, you don't wear a helmet, people get crazy when they drive here, and all i have to hold on to is the back of the bike. Needless to say, i loved it! I was a little confused when the bike with my friends, who we were following became a speck in the distance because my driver decided to stop...I still don't know why he stopped for a good couple of minutes because I do not speak Portugese. I had images of the boat leaving me on the island forever...but needless to say, I made it safely to the boat on time and in one piece. Except that my taste buds were very hurt by some local soup/egg thing that Louisa made me try called takaka...nasty. It numbed my tongue. But I did have some equivalent to M&Ms and that was tasty. Overall, it was a day well spent.

I am officially half way done with my time in Brazil and I am sad that I will have to be leaving Brazil soon, but I am excited to see the people that I miss so much...you know who you are but i know you all love shout-outs so here goes...Derek, Mom, Dad, Joshman, Katie, Nate, Roomie, Mags, Clur, Katie Trashbag, Steen, Em, Grandpa and Grandma, PopPop and Grandmom and everyone else!!!!

I'm on a boat!......on the Amazon

Well, this past weekend I was on a boat!! Yup. I took a boat cruise of the Amazon River and now I can check that off my list of life goals. I woke up early, hopped on the bus. I think we chose the wrong bus driver. Bus drivers truly believe they are race car drivers, and this one thought he was the best of the best. We were passing cars, swerving all over the road. My key to success on buses is to not look out the window and to hold on to something with a death grip.

We arrived safely and were ready for our adventure! We had to document the trip of course and asked a nice lady to take a picture for us. I do not think she had ever seen a camera before because she proceeded to hold it up to her face, pointing towards her eye. We did get our picture and our trip began. It was really interesting to see the river life. The houses along the river do not have any electricity. Most of these houses have outhouses in the back.

We arrived at our location after being entertained for two hours by the beautiful sites and the Samba dancers (let's just say that I tried and failed...a moving boat and the samba do not mix for me). We were told there was a hike on this trip, but looking back they must have considered the short walk from the bus to the restaurant as the hike. Anyways, we rode a bus once we were on the island to a Verde's restaurant. We had some pretty good authentic food, aka meat and rice. I did try the famous dessert of the region: Acai. I filled my bowl and put some sugar in it. Then a woman walked up and tasted my Acai from my bowl and started shoveling spoonfuls of sugar into it. Needless to say it was pretty good.

We ended our excursion with a quick dip in the muddy Amazon river....the waves were vicious. I got knocked over but so worth it to be cut up by Amazonian rocks. And the nerd that I am made me take some rocks to keep.

The trip ended any way a trip should end, with ice cream. I officially ordered my own ice cream in Portugese and I actually got what I wanted! Also, they have cheese flavored and corn flavored ice cream. I tried cheese flavored....sick.

Becoming an Amazonian Woman

Well, I know I told friends and family that I would come back from Brazil as an Amazon woman....well I may be well on my way. Every morning, I practically roll out of bed and I am ready. I have yet to brush my hair (granted I shower at least once a day)....I take cold showers, I walk everywhere I need to go, my feet are rarely clean, I always have bugs in my room, and I have eaten strange things....so in conclusion, I am becoming an Amazonian woman...not really. I may or may not have gotten a manicure and pedicure...check it out

Anyways, I have begun teaching 5th grade math and reading, 6th grade reading, and 7/8th grade world history. I love teaching in this environment so far! The class sizes are so small and the atmosphere is very relaxed. I am able to see my students outside of school quite regularly. I even got my nails done with one of them.

This past weekend, I was able to celebrate Halloween with some high school students. We played lots of games...such as throwing jello from one person to another and trying to catch it, we also bowled but with a gord...needless to say it was still fun even in another country.

I also was given a tour of Belem from some Brazilians that I met at church....we had a lot of fun just touring the city....a highlight might have been all of the pictures they wanted to take, the desert pizza that still had cheese on it, or hearing Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and Lifehouse blaring in the car.

I miss all of you especially (and in no specific order) the Villa girls, Derek Laird, my family, not Bella, SpringHill peeps, and everyone else in between!

In Brazil!

I have officially arrived in Brazil! I am staying in the guest house at the school. Here is a picture of my electric showerhead...I was told not to switch from warm to cold while the water was running...i might get shocked.

I was able to tour the city of Belem. Belem is one of the biggest port cities on the Amazon river. I was able to eat some amazing fruits!!! With some form of ice cream and condensed milk and chocolate on it. Here is a picture of me on the Amazon River.

I was adventurous somewhat and and tried a chicken heart (after being talked into it). Another strange thing that I have yet to get a picture of is some of the tiny cars here have mounted giant speakers onto the top of their cars in order to blare their music. Really funny to see. Tomorrow I get to meet the students for the first time and watch the classes! I am very excited. Enjoy your Sunday!

Sarah

Leavin on a Jet Plane

Well today is the day! I am off to Brazil! I have my visa in hand, thank you for all of your prayers. The Lord is faithful. I will arrive in Belem, Brazil around 2:00pm (their time which is one hour ahead of our time). I am scheduled to take a tour of the city with some of the staff from the school. I am very excited to arrive, just pray for safe travels. I managed to fit everything into two suitcases, which will hopefully weigh less than 50 pounds...we'll see. I have been taking Airborne to keep me healthy and hydrating like crazy (my mother's orders). My next post will be from Brazil!

The school that I will be at has a website. Here is the url: http://www.avabrazil.org I am not sure what levels I will be teaching. I will for sure be teaching middle school social studies but I was told I will also be teaching other grades, so we will see. I will keep you updated! Please keep me in your prayers!

Sarah

I am about one week away from my departure to Brazil. I am currently waiting on my visa so that I can actually depart (maybe a necessary part of the trip). So please pray that I get it! I cannot wait for the warm tempeartures! 90 degrees here I come!!!! Well, I am very excited not just for the warm weather but for the challenges and new experiences that I will have. Well, this is enough for now. Hopefully my next blog (only my second blog ever) will be me saying that I got my visa. I'm out.