Hello to all! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I have been really busy! Well, to begin, school has been going great, and I just completed my third week! I am even starting to comprehend most of what the teachers are saying, so that is good! My friend from school insisted that I add this picture she took of us, so here it is:
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| Brenda and I! |
I still continue to meet new people every day, but it is really difficult to remember everybody's name!
Thursday night, I left Itabira to return to the capital (Belo Horizonte) of my state, Minas Gerais. It is about a two hour drive along the most dangerous road in Minas Gerais. I can see why! There are hardly any guard rails, and if you go off the road, you tumble down the side of a mountain! With Brazilian drivers, I can see why that isn't very hard to do. I also took a few pictures of some beautiful scenery (I'm sorry about the quality, it is difficult to take good pictures in a moving vehicle on Brazilian roads).
When we finally arrived, I got to meet my host uncle(?) Gusttavo's two children and see his amazing apartment. He has a deck area that over-looks all of Belo Horizonte and has a great view of the Favelas.... I wish I would have brought my camera! From there, we went to my host mother's apartment that she owns to spend the night.
Friday morning, we went over to the Federal Police station to get my Temporary Residence Permit, and after getting finger printed and a lovely mug shot picture, I received it! From there, my host mother and I went to the mall where I got to see just how ridiculously over priced clothing is here in Brasil. I saw a normal sweatshirt in one store ON SALE for R$180 (about US$90), and my host mother said it was a good deal! Meu Deus! Along with all of the clothing, I saw my first McDonalds and Burger King! Only here, a Whopper is US$8. I also got a picture in a famous shopping corner in BH!
Later that night, we went to a party for my host mother's niece. I am not exactly sure what kind of party it was, but I think it was a going away party because she is in the military. It was probably the richest home I have ever been in. We were greeted at the door by a butler who asked for our drink orders (I got Guaraná), and then another waiter who gave us hor d'oeuvres all night long. Everyone got so drunk. The drink waiter very generous with his drinks, and constantly filled everyone's glass no matter how close to empty it was. I am pretty sure the 10 of us went through 4 bottles of campaign and 2 bottles of really expensive whiskey. One guy kept insisting that I speak French, for some reason. I don't even speak French. The food was really good, though, and the dessert was creme de mamão (papaya cream) and it was heavenly.
When we got home, I decided to try out the many different functions on my camera on our own view of one favela. Belo Horizonte is so beautiful, and the biggest city I have ever been in!
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| Favelas by day |
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| Night shot... favelas in the back left, skyline in back middle |
I am so excited to come back for a 4 day language camp in September! Tonight, I will go to centro with the other intercambistas (exchange students) and enjoy life as a "brazilian" teenager. I am still loving everything! To all teachers and students back in Appleton, have a great start to your school year!!!
Friday morning, we went over to the Federal Police station to get my Temporary Residence Permit, and after getting finger printed and a lovely mug shot picture, I received it! From there, my host mother and I went to the mall where I got to see just how ridiculously over priced clothing is here in Brasil. I saw a normal sweatshirt in one store ON SALE for R$180 (about US$90), and my host mother said it was a good deal! Meu Deus! Along with all of the clothing, I saw my first McDonalds and Burger King! Only here, a Whopper is US$8. I also got a picture in a famous shopping corner in BH! 
Levi, I'll mail you some sweaters from Goodwill and you can sell them down there-we'll split the profits :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you're posts are fun to read.