Foz de Iguaçu

I spent one of the most breathtaking weekends of my life this past weekend. No, I didn't fall in love, luckily I've been in love with nature for a while, but this weekend she decided to drench me in her awesome-ness. (literally)

This weekend I experienced the waterfalls of Iguaçu, and for two days every single time I had any view of the waterfall I still caught my breath. Several of the students and I travelled by plane to the border of Brasil, Argentina and Paraguay to see where the othewise gentle Rio Parana becomes a tumult of waves and mists. From the Brasil side of the falls we were able to see the grand vistas of the miles of waterfalls and that was pretty darn cool. We got close to several and I kept thinking to myself "O criacão de Deus é maravilhoso!", which I took from a song I learned in Costa Rica. And it's true. I have never seen a waterfall so big and so many of them. It was incredible, and it never stopped being incredible as I the day continued.

Also on that day I rapelled beside the river while being able to see the waterfalls from my height of 55 meters. (You guys do the math on how many feet that is.) Then I climbed in the trees through a ropes obstacle course, which was really fun, and hiked back to the bus, then spent some time lounging by the hotel pool.

On the next day we crossed the border into Argentina to see that side of the falls. On that side of the falls we were able to get alot closer by foot and by boat. On the boat we only came close to the smaller ones, which were still huge and we could only get so close so as not to be in danger of dying. But we were all completely soaked, and that served as a great cooling element for the rest of the day. On the trails we walked over and around too many waterfalls to count until we reached "A Garganta de Diablo" (Devil's Throat), the largest waterfall of Iguaçu falls.That was absolutely spectacular. There were huge rainbows, deafening thunder, so much mist you couldn't see the bottom, and just an overwhelming sense of awe. By the end of the day everyone was tired from walking everywhere and being so impressed by the views that we went straight to our hotel beds and slept until dinner!

After dinner we went to a club where I tried to dance Brasilian country, and that was really interesting. Then I got to ride on a motorcylce, because they have a really awesome taxi service on motorcycles. That was really fun!

My adventures continue, and I will be sure to keep you all updated!

The Rythm of my Heart...

Ba-boom.
Ba-boom.
Ba-boom.
Close your eyes and imagine this heartbeat echoing all around you.
Now open your eyes and see a stage ahead through the haze of smoke, musicians creating the heartbeat and playing as if that heart was all they had, and all around you people are moving to the heartbeat as if its the only thing keeping them alive.
This was my experience on Saturday night. Once again at Caiobá beach, some American friends and I went to a concert of Brasilian reggae for the night. Having never listened to much reggae music before and having never been to a concert in Brasil before, this was a very new experience for me, but it was amazing! The atmosphere was relaxed but still somehow full of electricity with the excitement of the bands playing and the amount of people there to enjoy the music and each other's company. Even though I didn't quite understand everything that was being said, just being a part of the heartbeat was an awesome experience.
disclaimer: I did not take part in any other liberating subtances. ;o)

In other news, we made a nice little touristy trip to a place called Morretes, a tourist stop in the mountains, and then visited a few other small towns in the area. The popular thing is to take the train through the mountains in order to see the awesome viewpoints and scenery. And it was pretty awesome. In Morretes we ate comida barreada-a food local to Parana (the state I'm in right now). The food consists of a type of corn meal mixed with meat (it looks kinda like bbq) to which you add rice and banana. Now I was a little concerned about adding banana to my carne e arroz, but it was actually really good! Good enough so that it didn't taste right without the banana in it. The mixture of sweet with meat was really surprisingly yummy. By the way, there are bananas everywhere here- they eat them all the time! And did I ever mention before that Brasilians love ice cream? Because they do! Especially McDonalds ice cream. (yes, they actually have McDonalds here, but the ice cream is definitely more popular than the food).I tried a McFlurry here that was probably the best I had ever eaten- cookies with fudge in just a small serving. I had some really good ice cream at a nice little 'sorveteria' as well. The mango and maracuja ice cream is some of the best. ;o)

But I digress.

Among the small towns that I visited, we were in Antonina, where there was a really pretty church at the top of a hill overlooking the bay. A friend and I wandered down to the bottom of the hill and found an old and decaying building right beside the sea. It had huge archways opening onto the water like doorways to the world, and when the bells at the church started ringing as I stood amidst the stones and rubble, it was like being inside a poem. I loved it.

This 'fin de semana' there is a group of students going to Iguacu Falls, and I'm really looking forward to that. I promise that as soon as I can, I will get pictures on the computer for you all.

While in America my heart beats, here it beats to the rythm of reggaie, church bells in the distance, and the sea in my ear. (not to mention the rooster down the street, the dogs in every yard, and the constant fluidity of Portuguese.) I love it. :o)

Well I must say this: Brasilians live the life! I went to the beach this past weekend and it was a weekend full of portuguese. I probably heard about 8 full english sentences the entire time! So monst of my weekend was spent listening to the tones and trying to understand the words being said. I was told that I was too quiet, but these people are so loud! Everything in Brasil is more intense: the kisses, the sun, the food, the talking- when they get excited it seems that they just start yelling at each other! It's just a little intimidating. I got a little red over the weekend (ok, so pretty much my entire body was pink) but the weekend was great. We slept late, had a little breakfast of fruit, cafezinho, bread, jelly, cheese and meat, then went to the beach for a few hours, came back to dry off and about 3 had a huge dinner- complete with arroz (rice),feijao (beans), vegetales (vegetables), carne(steak), and salada (salad). Afterwards we were so worn out from eating we took a nap, then hung out at the pool in the apartment and watched tv. Around 8 we ate the same thing we had for breakfast, them went to the shops along the beach. It was very nice and relaxing, while at the same time a little stressful for me as I tried to comprehend all that was being said.

The family life here is intense as well. Everyone talks at one time, they all have stories to share, and even the inlaws and boyfriends are treated as part of the family. (well of course the inlaws are.) Apparently here it is not considered unmanly to be affectionate and to talk in baby talk to the young-uns. Everyone from Grandpa to the 12 years old boy spoke to the youngest (2) in that high-pitched voice reserved for children, and There were kisses and hugs all around all the time, including the 12 year old. It was nice to be able to witness the closeness, if I can't quite participate in it yet. But the family is very open, and they treated me as more than a guest.

There is still the same ocean and sun here, but on the beach there are so many vendors! Selling everything from churrasco (bbq), sorvete (ice cream), cerveja (beer) cocos (coconuts), roupas (clothes), oculos de sol (sunglasses), and more. All the girls wear bikinis (the smaller the better), and the choice for the men on the beach is either a speedo or very short shorts. That took some getting used to, especially when the old fat guy covered in hair walked by. But it was fun.

I'm still trying to learn to think in portuguese. By the end of the day my mind is tired and I can't even process thoughts in english! I have to keep reminding myself that I've only been here a week and I'm not going to be fluent just yet. It really is a humbling experience to be corrected each time I speak, and then to not know how to say something you would like. Try explaining the book 1984 in a language you don't know well and you'll see what I mean. :o)

It's still very hot here, and I'm loving the summer weather! My room has a balconey (quite possibly my favorite part of the house), and I love keeping the door open for the sun and the breeze to come through.
Well I'm off to attempt to make my way around the city! Muah! Besos to all!

Aló from Brasil!

Well! After much stress and frustration, I am finally in Brasil! It took three planes, lots of nonsleep, two and a half movies, much lugging around of baggage, little communication, and a little bit of freaking out, but I made it! I realized on the plane that the worst part about the trip is that, while I am looking forward to my trip, the scariest thing is that I dont even know what exactly it is Im looking forward to! Yeah, Im excited about learning portuguese, but what kind of embarassing and interesting experiences am I going to have? That is the intimidation factor in everything right now.

I arrived in Curitiba two hours late and sweating like made, but my host parents were waiting for me at the gate, and they were very happy that I had finally arrived. Nilva is a short and pretty woman of taste and class, and Hairton is a small man who looks a little like Sean Penn, and who never fails to give a word of advice or information. They seemed very excited that I knew a little bit of Portuguese "viaje longe", "sim", "é bom," and "obrigado" was about all I could get out on the car ride home, tho. 'Home' is a very modern, very nice house where I have my own room and the guest bathroom all to myself. Hairton and Nilva have 3 girls, two of whom are married and one other who is a architect and lives with them. She speaks some English, so that is a comfort, but this week she is in Fortaleza with friends so short and broken conversations with Hairton and Nilva define my home life. :o) They also have a dog, Boloro, who is small and very hairy and loves to play! everytime they try to chase him into the garage so that they can leave he takes off for a few more laps around the teeny front yard because he thinks they are playing with him. está loco! However, they are wonderful to live with, and have been very patient with me and my speaking. I get to meet the rest of the family this weekend when we go 'à praia! (beach)! Hairton and Nilva go on a walk through the neighnorhood every night, and it has been really nice to walk with them and try to talk while taking in the surroundings. It reminds me of my walks with my mom at home, and while I'm walking I like to think that this is home, too.

The other students are from OSU, Winston Salem State, UNC Charlotte, and then the two of us from USC. It is really nice to have english speakers around most of the day, since we go to language school from 830 to 1230 and then usually spend the afternoon together. It would definitely make it more difficult for me if they were not around, but I'm afraid that this means my frustration is only prolonged. However, by the time the semester starts I'm sure I'll be much more comfortable speaking Portuguese all the time. I have to force myself to think in Portuguese when I am with Hairton and Nilva, and sometimes in class as well. I get corrected all the time when I speak, but the Brasilians are very kind about it. The other students are really cool and I enjoy spending time with them. In all, there are 10 girls and 2 boys (guess the guys didn't get the memo about hot Brasilian chicks, huh?) and we have a good time together laughing about our pronounciation and experiences here.

Some things I have noticed that are different here: On the taps instead of 'H' and 'C', they have 'Q' and 'F'. Not something that you would think to look for, but it makes a difference. They don't have huge trash cans, just small cans - how's that for a non consumerist society? This keyboard is even different so it can account for the accents and different letters like this one: ç Also, there seems to be no social standard for PDA, because you regularly see couples kissing seriously on the street and in the mall. Not just pecks, but "I-love-having-your-tongue-in-my-mouth" kind of kisses. We went to a concert of Brasilian folk music, which was nothing less than awesome!

Tudo bom aqui! Tchau!

Kiss me and smile for me

20 minutes before I leave for Nashville, and a little over 9 hours before I'm on the plane that takes me out of the country. Its just a little amazing to think about. I never knew that I could fit so many things into a suitcase, or the creative way in which I can fit even more things. For example, my father is putting some of my diabetic supplies inside my shoes in order to give us more space! It looks like I'll be about 2-4 pounds over the limit, but I guess I can live with that. I'm excited to be leaving so that I can meet my host family, the other students, and all those Brazilian kids. :o) My parents, granparents and aunt and uncle have given me so many names, numbers and addresses of people I can call while I'm in Brasil. It's nice to know that there is a complete stranger who has been volunteered to help me out if I need anything. :o)
What more is there to say? I'm remembering late night talks with Kristy, dinners with the roomies, dealing with Fr Tim, sticking pieces of tissue paper in between chicken wire, the way my body feels when I'm swinging a sword, the moves I'm supposed to be making in Sil Muy Fa, the low lights and crowds of the bar, chats in Barnes and Noble with my sister, planning for the future, and one last long hug goodbye.
But I"m looking forward to learning a new language, being in the warm weather, and trying things I've never tried before.
Looks like I'm outta here! I miss everyone already!

While visiting my grandparents, I came across this quote that I would like to share.

"The bravest are the tenderest.
The loving are the daring."

I just thought that was a really nice thing to think about.
Happy New Year!