Oi! It is hard to believe that I have been in Brazil for almost two weeks already! Time has flown by so fast and I have embraced every second of it. This week was our first "official" week of classes for SIT. Every day we have Portuguese lessons for two hours and then in the afternoon are lectures that involve the topics of public health, race, and human rights.
Since I stepped foot in Brazil, I have felt so stripped and bare of everything that I have ever "known". To not understand transportation, the language, culture, and lifestyle of a whole country really humbles you.
Our Portuguese teacher, Bira, is an excellent teacher and I have learned SO much and very quickly. I feel like I am a child again as I try and learn this new language. We are learning our ABC's, basic verbs, basic commands and structures, and how to introductions. (I did get complemented from a taxi driver that my Portuguese was good...but that was because I was only using the sentences we had learned so far in class...haha) The most difficult thing that I have a problem with in my Portuguese is the pronunciation of the words. For me, Portuguese is a blend of Spanish and French. Portuguese has a basis in Spanish because a lot of the meanings of the words are the same, BUT the actual spelling and pronunciation of the words remind me of French.
For example, take the word dad. In portuguese the word is "pai". Now, it is not pronounced as you would imagine it. Instead, you literally pronounce it as POW! You have with a strong "P" sound, but you essentially "swallow" the "OW" in the word. Make sense? Probably not, but I couldn't resist as I thought about all the people reading this and trying to actually say the word out loud. You know you tried....(:
My new family is doing great and my ability to communicate with them has improved! We have had conversations about the government, public health system in Brazil, and other various topics. Something that I have failed to mention until now is the FOOD of Brazil! In Salvador, there is a hugeeeeeeeeeee African influence on the food and everything that I have tried so far is delicious. My favorite part of the food has been the exotic and delicious fruits! (I know mangos are not exotic, but they have the absolute best mangos here.) I wished that I could tell you exactly what fruits and foods are that I eat here, but most of it I do not know the names of...yet. So later as I learn more I hope to be able to share some of that information with you.
I have done really good with the public transportation so far...until yesterday. Through a series of events I somehow fell asleep on the bus which turned out to be the wrong bus, AND I ended up in a bus stop an hour and a half away from my house! Through my little knowledge of the language I somehow communicated what town I needed to go back to. I took the bus that one of the nice people told me to take and I did end up somewhere close to my house in Barra, but by the time I arrived it was dark so things looked different. Because this was my first experience of seeing Barra at night on the street, I needed help trying to find my street, Princesa Isabella. I stopped a little old lady on the street and told her what street I was looking for. She tried to explain it to me in Portuguese, but I couldn't understand it. She could see that I didn't understand so she motioned for me to walk with her. I thought that by her actions and what little I picked up in the conversation that she was going to walk me to my street or close by. Well I was wrong. We stopped at a grocery store where I thought we were going to find someone to help me that maybe could speak some English. Wrong thinking again. She grabbed a grocery basket and proceeded to grocery shop. I just followed her around like a lost child and would assist her from time to time and get the things that she needed off of the top shelves. After we finished grocery shopping, we walked and then I just knew that she was taking me to my street. Wrong again. Instead, we went to her house. There I met her husband, son, and had dinner with them! Very nice people! By this time it was approaching 8 P.M. and if you are an American who is carrying around a backpack, it is probably not the best idea to be on the streets at that time. Finally, I just had to bite the bullet and get a taxi. A trip that should have just taken 30-45 minutes took over four hours, but I am thankful for the experience and people that I got to meet on this little adventure.
I can't wait for this next week and to learn more Portuguese and to begin to dive into public health in Brazil. I hope that you are all doing well and you are enjoying SPRING BREAK!
Until next time........"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely." - Auguste Rodin
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