I left Columbia last Sunday afternoon and flew to Houston, Texas where I caught a 9.5 hr flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The flight went really smoothly. I was lucky enough to have a window seat with only one person beside me. She was super nice and we talked a bit about Brazil. I watched a couple of new movies and slept the rest of the time. Unfortunately, we left Texas late and arrived at Sao Paulo late. I had one hour from the time we arrived until my other plane took off. I departed the plane waited in line for them to check my passport/visa, waited for my suitcase, and hurried off into the airport... where I became completely lost! I started to panic because I knew my plane must be boarding and it was supposed to depart soon. I was wondering through the airport trying to find a check in counter or something. I finally found the correct area but there were so many different airplane companies (similar to us having Delta, United, American airlines, etc) and each one had a huge line. I knew I would never make my flight. I started desperately asking airport staff but no one spoke english and I think I was too panicky to think clearly enough to use portuguese. I just knew I was going to miss my flight and have no way to contact the person picking me up at the airport... Fortunately for me, I found a woman who was extremely helpful. I showed her my itinerary and she rushed me to a front desk, got me checked in, handed me a ticket and told me to hurry! After a few wrong terms, more helpful people, and some good ole fashion running, I made it to my gate just in the time. I was the last person to board.
I arrived in Porto Alegre and met the two girls from Michigan Vet School who are also doing an exchange program here. We got our bags and found Willia. (Pronounced Villia) I first met Willia in Athens. She was visiting friends for a month and helped us with Portuguese twice a week. It was so nice to see a familiar face at the airport. We ate lunch at a buffet style restaurant, took a small driving tour of the city, and made our way to the bus station. I really not sure what we would have done without her! The bus ride was four hours to Santa Maria and by the end of it I was itching to stand up and stretch! We arrived in Santa Maria far from "bright eyed and bushy tailed" but excited never the less. We got off the bus and were welcomed with a big hug from our host Vivian and her family!
Okay for living arrangements... Ashlee, one of the girls from Michigan, and I are staying with Vivian and her family. The house is two levels. We are downstairs where we share a room and have a bathroom. It is very nice! We live with her mom, dad, and brother. The other girl from Michigan, also named Ashley, is living with another veterinary student, Mariani, Mariani lives near the center of the city in an apartment with one other student. It is really cool!
Vivian's dad, Luiz, drove us home where her mom, Sylvia, had an amazing dinner waiting on us. I can't say enough good things about my family. They are so nice, welcoming, and patient! We spent several hours around the dinner table talking and sharing stories. Vivian speaks excellent english so she spent most of the night translating between us and her parents. Although her parents do not speak english, we still communicate quite a bit through our broken portuguese, hand gestures, and Vivian's help! Finally, after a long journey and a great night we went to sleep!
The next day we woke up late and had a delicious lunch that Sylvia had prepared. She is an amazing cook! We did not have to go to the university so we had the day to rest. Vivian left to go to class and we made plans to follow her mom into the city. I know that she was nervous at first because of the language barrier but it went smoothly and was a lot of fun! We walked to the bus stop, took a ten minute ride, and got off downtown! She showed us around the hospital where she works as a dietitian. It was really neat to see and we met so many people! We went to a fabric shop and a bakery, and then walked home. It took around thirty minutes to walk home. I really enjoyed walking because I was able to see more and take everything in. When we got home, Ashlee and I rested and continued to study portuguese. That night we ate a delicious dinner and played uno with Vivian and her friend, Andreila.
We woke up Wednesday morning and headed into the city to get supplies. Vivian let me use her old phone so I just had to buy a sim card and minutes. It was pretty inexpensive. I also exchanged money and bought contact solution. We caught a bus to the university and met our mentor, Professor Mara, at the vet school. Vivian and Mariani showed us around the vet school and university. We ate lunch at the dining hall, called the RU. You can get a lot of food for a cheap price. That afternoon we attended class with Vivian about Wild Animal Medicine. (Very cool!) The class was in portuguese and I couldn't understand most of it because it is spoken so fast, but I could understand a lot of what was written on the powerpoint! After class, we headed downtown to sell tickets for a churrhasco e festa (BBQ and Party) that Vivians class was doing as a fundraiser. They are in their 9th semester of school and are raising money for graduation. (In Brazil, you got directly into vet school after high school and it takes five years.) Downtown, we all stood on a street corner and attempted to sell tickets. We held up signs, cheered, danced, and had a ton of fun. After all that "hard" work, we headed back to school to have a small churrhasco for the class. It was nice to hang out with her classmates. They are outgoing, welcoming, and really nice. It's hard sometimes because of the language barrier, but we try our best to communicate effectively! Needless to say, I collapsed into bed that night!
Selling Tickets Downtown!
Preparing bread for the churrhasco!
The fire!
Thursday we awoke and went to the University. We ate lunch at the RU, attempted to sell more tickets to the upcoming churrhasco, and then headed to the reproduction lab to visit Mara. We will be based mainly out of the repro lab and Mara is currently working on a schedule of what we will be doing. Thursday, we spent a lot of time hanging out in the common room and studying portuguese. (Have I mentioned I try and study portuguese every free moment.) We did get to collect two ponies in the afternoon which was cool. I've only seen it once before. We also celebrated a birthday and had delicious cake! That night, we again had an amazing dinner at home. (Are you seeing a theme here?)
The ponies we collected!
Birthday Party!
Friday was the big day, the day of the churrhasco! (So, a churrhasco is a traditional brazilian BBQ. It's different than grilling meat. The meat is seasoned really well and cooked over a fire. Southern Brazil is known for it's excellent meat. It is very Gaucho (cowboy) thing.) Vivian's veterinary class worked so hard to prepare all of the food and plan the day. Ashlee and I went with her family and pigged out! There were so many people there! I am very impressed that one class could feed so many people! There was bread, salad, mandicoa - a type of root/vegetable, and lots of different kinds meat. They walked around with big trays of meat and you took what you wanted. It was a fun afternoon. I met Mariani's parents and spoke with them a little. They are super nice. (Mariani is coming to UGA to study from August to November! I'm very excited to show her around there. She has been so good to us and I really want to return the favor!) We headed back home to rest and get ready for the party that night. I spent the afternoon studying portuguese, organizing my blog, and eating fruit on the back patio with Sylvia! That night as she was cooking dinner, we started talking about our family and homes. We showed them our houses using google earth and then I face timed my mom. It was a blast. Here I was introducing my mom to my new family in Brazil. Technology really is so cool! I was attempting to translate back and forth, and although it was a little rocky, it was a ton of fun! We ate pastels (kind of like empanadas) for dinner, drank a cup of coffee, and headed to the party with Vivian's brother Cristiano and our friend Andriela. (Cristiano also takes classes at the university and is doing an internship currently with an agricultural company. He analyzes soil composition to determine what fertilizer is needed. I think.) The party was huge! There were at least 1500 people there. Two bands played and many people danced. It is beyond cool to see the traditional dances. That night, we all headed back to the house and collapsed.
My family + Mariani + Ashlee + Ashley
Saturday morning we slept in and then got up for an HUGE lunch! Vivian's two friends, Mariani and Ali, ate with us. Her mom fixed many dishes! Everything here is made so fresh! They have a huge beautiful garden in the back yard! We drink fresh, homemade juice with every meal! That morning I helped make orange juice using the juicer. I am constantly trying to help do something because her mom works so hard for us! She is spoiling us rotten.
Saturday also turned out to be the anniversary of the city! We went downtown to watch the celebration. We watched dance groups from different schools perform songs. It was a lot of fun to watch. I think they all could dance better than me! :p They danced to Brazilian music, hip hop, and random songs such as foot loose! We met up with Vivian's friends and walked around the city a bit. I was able to see the old library and an old train caboose. Ali invited us back to her apartment and cooked dinner for us! We had a rice and meat dish, with a side of potatoes, carrots, and lettuce. I really enjoyed it! I love the food here. It was so nice of Ali to cook for us! We really have been treated well and taken care of! I may not leave Brazil! ;)
Hanging out downtown
Today had been very laid back. Vivian had to work this morning. She picks up shifts at the hotel working as a server for big events. I again woke up late and ate lunch with the family. (I sleep so much here! I think it's because my brain is on overdrive!) I decided today was my chance to catch up with this blog! I've feel like I've been writing for the last five hours. He he. So congratulations if you read this whole thing. My gosh, you deserve an award or something! I still have so much to say and explain but this is probably good enough for now! I need to go study more portuguese! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment