Well, I arrived from my beach vacation safe and sound and more tan then I have ever been in my life. :D
It was a nice trip, pretty much the same as the first time I went to Porto Seguro.
The same beaches, same foods, and same festas, but it was nice to have some time to spend with my first host family again, and it was good to get some relaxing time on the beach.
Tomorrow I'm off on another vacation. yes another, to Diamantina. I have already been to Diamantina. Earlier in the year one of my classmates and her family took me there to see a big band (classical) show.
I fell in love with Diamantina, it's antique Portuguese architecture, and awkward uphill streets. And now, I'm off to celebrate Carnaval with one of my classmates and her family there. I am more then excited, I'm elated.
We have a house in the center of town, with a pool and area to do barbecue. There will be 15 members of her family staying in this one house, should be pretty interesting.
I think that carnaval will be something that I have never experienced before. Music and dancing in the street, 24 hours a day for 5 days strait. I think I'll get pretty exhausted, but it will be worth every moment of sleep I lose.
I dont exactly know what to expect from Carnaval in Diamantina. I just know that people say its one of the best Carnavals in Minas Gerias, so it must be good.
Update is sure to come after I get back.
Other then that...my return flight has been booked, I hate to think about the return date...now it's set, I have 5 months and counting here in Brazil.
It makes me sad to think about going home, because I'm going to miss Brazil and everything I have here. All of my friends, the families I have gained, the foods I have come to love, the customs that I have picked up, the language I have finally gotten comfortable with...and its going to be strange.
I know I will be able to deal with going home, because leaving New Mexico was almost the same situation, allthough I think this will be even harder. Because when I left New Mexico, I knew I was coming back, I knew that the people there, would still be there when I came back, that there was always a way to stay in contact, that this was not the end. But leaving Brazil...who knows when I will have a chance to go back? who knows where the people I've come to love have gone by that time...
This exchange has been, and will continue to be full some of the most difficult times I've experienced. First there was leaving home, leaving everything I knew out into this huge world alone, not knowing what to expect. Then there was learning to stand on my own two feet and walk, regardless of how hard it was. Then, understanding that it would take time to become comfortable, and except that and be patient.
Now that I have gotten through those hard parts, I'm in the best stage of the exchange. I have become strong enough to stand on my own two feet, I have been patient enough to learn what I need to know to function comfortably, and now is the pay off. But soon, It will be the hardest part of all...giving up everything that I have gained and going back home. Back to normal life, not knowing where I'll end up... not knowing if I will come back to Brazil.
Exchanging is a huge series of adjustments and change...it never stops.
But I suppose life is like that too...
well, enough babbling for today,
update on Carnaval to come!!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Mato Grosso Do Sul: Another epic vacation
Goodness,
I go long in-between these entries...
Well, I have reason..
I've been traveling Brazil with my host mom. (Not the whole country...but a good portion of it).
I went to Mato Grosso Do Sul 2 weeks ago, and got back to Montes Claros last Tuesday. It was an interesting trip. Really showed me the diversity in Brazil.
The region that I'm living in now is considered the central north-east, known for being dry, poor, and slightly dull (all though I dont think so). The south, where Mato Grosso Do Sul is (more south center, but it's the same...), is known for its richness and abundance of water and forest (hence the name of the state: mato grosso, thick forest).
I remember arriving in Campo Grande, the capital city and the place I spent most of my time, and seeing the streets, big and clean, the shopping mall, full of big $$, the ton of restaurants (including McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and Subway), and the lack of beggars...poverty has become something I've become accustomed to, and I could really feel it with the awe I'd felt seeing this wealthy other side of Brazil.
Along with the difference of wealth, there was the huge difference in climate. In Mato Grosso Do Sul, it is the tropical climate Brazil is known for. In this state, there is the Pantanal, which is a tropical forest about equal to the Amazon, only a little smaller and less famous. I wasn't fortunate enough to explore any 'mato grosso' but I did make it to a city near the Pantanal called Bonito.
I went into a cavern that has a lake at the bottom the color of that New Mexico sky. The bluest water I've ever seen. What surprised me about this excursion, was that it was extremely unprotected. I've been in the Carlsbad caverns for example, and there were railings the whole way..well lighted. There was none of that in this cavern, just a silly helmet to protect you if you slipped on the dew covered, worn rocks. Funny the difference in concern..
After the blue lake cavern, we went out to lunch. An all you can eat Brazilian classic. Lots of meat, rice and beans, and of course, some sweets of coconut and mango. After lunch we explored the city, doing what every good tourist does, buying trinkets and taking photos. And then, were off to cool off in one of the many rivers running through the city.
One of the big things in Bonito are these fish that are in the rivers. They literally have no fear, and will swim right up to you, even brush up against you. The water is crystal clear and clean, so it's great to watch them.
We spent just one day in Bonito, after, going back to Campo Grande. In Campo Grande, I pretty much just lived the life of my host uncle, aunt, and cousin. Going to the shopping mall, hanging out by the pool, picking mangos from the trees (which still amazes this little New Mexican), doing arts, and of course eating (its what I do).
The trip was really great for me. I got to see that other side of Brazil, and all though the bus ride was 28 hours, yes that's right, 28 hours, it was worth every minute to know just a little more about what this amazing country has to offer.
And guess what? Tomorrow I'm off on another Vacation!
Please, let this life never end.
Tomorrow, 4am, I'm heading out on a trip to that same beach I went to in October. My first host family was generous enough to offer to take me back to Porto Seguro, and I'm extremely excited.
Here, January is the time for the beach. Everyone (almost everybody, because the country can't completely shut down), are on their month long vacations starting today. And that's right, even adults get a month off from work each year in amazing Brazil. So the beach is crowded with tons of people and felicity. Lots of parties and good food, coconuts and ocean and sun.
Can't wait to get there.
More to come!
photos of Mato Grosso Do Sul: http://picasaweb.google.com/sommerbrazil/MatoGrossoDoSul
Beijos!
I go long in-between these entries...
Well, I have reason..
I've been traveling Brazil with my host mom. (Not the whole country...but a good portion of it).
I went to Mato Grosso Do Sul 2 weeks ago, and got back to Montes Claros last Tuesday. It was an interesting trip. Really showed me the diversity in Brazil.
The region that I'm living in now is considered the central north-east, known for being dry, poor, and slightly dull (all though I dont think so). The south, where Mato Grosso Do Sul is (more south center, but it's the same...), is known for its richness and abundance of water and forest (hence the name of the state: mato grosso, thick forest).
I remember arriving in Campo Grande, the capital city and the place I spent most of my time, and seeing the streets, big and clean, the shopping mall, full of big $$, the ton of restaurants (including McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and Subway), and the lack of beggars...poverty has become something I've become accustomed to, and I could really feel it with the awe I'd felt seeing this wealthy other side of Brazil.
Along with the difference of wealth, there was the huge difference in climate. In Mato Grosso Do Sul, it is the tropical climate Brazil is known for. In this state, there is the Pantanal, which is a tropical forest about equal to the Amazon, only a little smaller and less famous. I wasn't fortunate enough to explore any 'mato grosso' but I did make it to a city near the Pantanal called Bonito.
I went into a cavern that has a lake at the bottom the color of that New Mexico sky. The bluest water I've ever seen. What surprised me about this excursion, was that it was extremely unprotected. I've been in the Carlsbad caverns for example, and there were railings the whole way..well lighted. There was none of that in this cavern, just a silly helmet to protect you if you slipped on the dew covered, worn rocks. Funny the difference in concern..
After the blue lake cavern, we went out to lunch. An all you can eat Brazilian classic. Lots of meat, rice and beans, and of course, some sweets of coconut and mango. After lunch we explored the city, doing what every good tourist does, buying trinkets and taking photos. And then, were off to cool off in one of the many rivers running through the city.
One of the big things in Bonito are these fish that are in the rivers. They literally have no fear, and will swim right up to you, even brush up against you. The water is crystal clear and clean, so it's great to watch them.
We spent just one day in Bonito, after, going back to Campo Grande. In Campo Grande, I pretty much just lived the life of my host uncle, aunt, and cousin. Going to the shopping mall, hanging out by the pool, picking mangos from the trees (which still amazes this little New Mexican), doing arts, and of course eating (its what I do).
The trip was really great for me. I got to see that other side of Brazil, and all though the bus ride was 28 hours, yes that's right, 28 hours, it was worth every minute to know just a little more about what this amazing country has to offer.
And guess what? Tomorrow I'm off on another Vacation!
Please, let this life never end.
Tomorrow, 4am, I'm heading out on a trip to that same beach I went to in October. My first host family was generous enough to offer to take me back to Porto Seguro, and I'm extremely excited.
Here, January is the time for the beach. Everyone (almost everybody, because the country can't completely shut down), are on their month long vacations starting today. And that's right, even adults get a month off from work each year in amazing Brazil. So the beach is crowded with tons of people and felicity. Lots of parties and good food, coconuts and ocean and sun.
Can't wait to get there.
More to come!
photos of Mato Grosso Do Sul: http://picasaweb.google.com/sommerbrazil/MatoGrossoDoSul
Beijos!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
O ano novo. 2008!
Happy New Year!
Well, it's 2008...pretty crazy. And I suppose it is time to reflect on the year.
The first event of 2007 that comes to my mind is leaving my country, on an adventure of a lifetime..one I will never forget.
2007 has been the most exciting year of my life. And I can say that without doubt.
I remember writing a list last new years of things I wanted to accomplish in my life. Off of that list I have already accomplished learning another language, and living in another country. 2 huge goals.
I have found that I have grown immensely this year. Beyond what I thought was possible. I have achieved an understanding of the world that some don't ever encounter. I have come to understand better my place in the world, my desired path in life, the things that are important to me...and I can say, without questioning, that I spent this past year of my life in the best way possible. I didn't waste one minute. And that makes me glad.
One thing that I have found I fear is losing time. I have a fear of not living my life to the fullest. Of not seeing everything there is to see, not being everything I can, and I can say that I have lived to the fullest this year, and I know the next year to come will be the same. Full of excitement, changes, growth, realizations...
2007 brought a lot of changes. 2008 will bring even more.
Well, it's 2008...pretty crazy. And I suppose it is time to reflect on the year.
The first event of 2007 that comes to my mind is leaving my country, on an adventure of a lifetime..one I will never forget.
2007 has been the most exciting year of my life. And I can say that without doubt.
I remember writing a list last new years of things I wanted to accomplish in my life. Off of that list I have already accomplished learning another language, and living in another country. 2 huge goals.
I have found that I have grown immensely this year. Beyond what I thought was possible. I have achieved an understanding of the world that some don't ever encounter. I have come to understand better my place in the world, my desired path in life, the things that are important to me...and I can say, without questioning, that I spent this past year of my life in the best way possible. I didn't waste one minute. And that makes me glad.
One thing that I have found I fear is losing time. I have a fear of not living my life to the fullest. Of not seeing everything there is to see, not being everything I can, and I can say that I have lived to the fullest this year, and I know the next year to come will be the same. Full of excitement, changes, growth, realizations...
2007 brought a lot of changes. 2008 will bring even more.
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