My last week and half at Meia Lua I was the only person working there that spoke English. I therefore was the only person the guests turned to when they needed something. I waited on those guests hand and foot. Let me tell you, working with tourists is hard. I guess it more depends on who you are working with. Some people are a pleasure to help and don't have any issues. Other people make you wonder why they decided to leave their houses in the first place. It was a difficult experience because the guests expected me to know things but I really had no idea of what was going on. This left me constantly running between the guests and the staff to try and figure stuff out. I also had to deal with their complaints about the place.
"There's a frog in my bathroom" -> Yes ma'am. You are in the middle of the Pantanal.
"My bed is uncomfortable. I can not possibly spend another night there." -> I'm so sorry about that. Maybe if you had told us that this morning instead of now at 8pm at night, we could have done something about it.
"I don't like my cheese and meat mixed together. I only eat them separately." -> uhhhh. okay?
"You mean I have to pay for the capirina I drank last night!? Well how much was it!?" -uh yes. Sorry, about that. I'm not sure how much it is because you see I never have time to drink them so I wouldn't know. But I'll find out for you right now!
"Why would you talk about trees on the bush walk?" -> Because flora can be just as cool as fauna. ~ignores the laughter from the guests~
Oh man, do I have a few good stories. Lets just say I have a whole new appreciation for people who serve others every day. I've never experienced feeling like a second class citizen. The guests were gods and I was there to serve them. I ate after they finished eating. I cleaned up their messy dinner table. I rode up front in the car so they could ride in the back. I don't know. It was an eye opening experience.
I don't want to sound whiny or angry. I just want to be honest. Working for your keep isn't all rainbows and butterflies. I worked my butt off and I would have to think twice about signing up for that program again. I do see why other people sign up for shin digs like that often. You learn so much about the area, animals, plants, and the people. I made good friends and became close with the people there. I was forced to use my portuguese and became more confident in my ability to communicate. I also met some pretty cool people who came to the fazenda. I loved more than anything to hear their travel stories, where they had been and where they were going. On top of that I saved THOUSANDS of dollars. Between staying on the resort, getting free food, transportation, and tourists activities, it was a ton of money. There is no way I could have done so much experienced without doing the volunteer work. So yes, I worked hard, but I got a lot in return.
Plus, It wasn't all work, work, work! I got to go on several more night safairs at Fazenda San Francisco as a translator. I went horse back riding quite often! You can pretty much call me a cowgirl now. He he (Just kidding). I got to go to a birthday party where they tried to teach me to dance. Not that was a show! It was fun though. I wish I actually could dance! I also took time to lay by the pool and drink from several coconuts my last couple of days!
Leaving was difficult, no matter how hard or frustrating the work was sometimes. I made some great memories at Meia Lua! I will always be able to look back at "that time I worked as a translator in Brazil" with humor and appreciation.
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