Oi!
Today was my second day of school and I can't even explain how amazing it has been! Yesterday was my first day in Portuguese classes and even though it is really hard it is so much fun! My classmates are truly becoming such good friends of mine and my proffessora Juliana is awesome. She is so pateint with us and so fofa (cute)!
The Universidad Metodista that I am attending is beautiful and the staff are so welcoming! My friend Andrea and I joined the gym on campus and were able to get some personal training today, which was super fun. We also were given a class on Capoeira today. For the many of you shaking your head trying to even say the word, it is an african-brazilian dance that is practiced here in Brazil and all around the world. The dance is a combination of marshal arts and dance and was created by the african slaves a long time ago. The dancing includes beautiful music, instruments and singing which we all got to take part in. It was truly one of the most amazing experiences and the professor was an amazing instructor and dancer! He made the class so much fun and really inspired us to join together in the spirit of Capoeira! I am looking forward to sharing my videos with you all!
As an added bonus I have also decided to share with you all a few things that are a must know when traveling to Brazil....other wise you find out the hard way like some of us on the trip ha ha ha!
1. Brigadeiros are AMAZING!!! It is a little chocolate doce (dessert) that is one of the best things I have ever eaten and I hope you all get to try one some day.
2. The clothing is not cheap and Brazil is not the place for shopping on a budget!
3. Most Brazilians speak very little to no English so you may want to come prepared with a little bit of knowledge in Portuguese.
4. You have to put your toilet paper (after being used) into a trash can by the toilet. I know this is not ideal for Americans and seems totally strange, but the plumbing in Brazil can't handle all the paper so everywhere you go you must dispose of the paper in the garbage or you have to pay the plumber.
5. Brazilians are very outgoing people and you always kiss each others cheek when you say hello. It is actually very nice and immediately helps you to feel close to people.
6. This one is one of my favorites...everything in a wrapper says if it contains gluten or not on the back label! It is absolutely wonderful and makes eating so much easier for me.
7. Another favorite is the coffee. You drink it in a small glass, but it is very strong and very good! A little goes a long way as my mother used to say.
Anyways that is all for now because I am going out with minha amigos.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sao Paulo...tourist style baby!
Today was yet another amazing day in Brazil! I woke pretty tired because I am not used to sleeping here yet and I was up until 2 in the morning for Franca's birthday party, which was so much fun by the way, but I was ready to get out into Sao Bernardo and Sao Paulo! I had some breakfast and coffee and then we took the city bus to the University. Camilla, Franca's cousin's daughter (who lives next door and hosts Kaela and Trisha) took us on the bus so that she could show us how to ride the bus. It was very exciting and only about a ten minute ride from the university. I was so excited to get to the university because not only was this my first time being in the city by foot, but my good friend Indira was there with everyone!
After visiting and taking pictures for a while we loaded the tour bus and set off for Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo is the second largest city in the world with 18 million people living in the city and 23 million people living in the Sao Paulo metro area. We first went to the Central Supermarket, which is famous in Sao Paulo for all their exotic fruits, meats and things to buy. It was beautiful and I bought some beautiful hand made earrings and bracelets made from gold grass as well as lechi fruit. Lechi fruit is totally weird and looks like something out of a scifi movie, but tastes muito bom!
After having lunch we loaded back onto the tour bus and were taken to several areas in Sao Paulo that represent historical spots. One place was a museum that has the oldest wall in Sao Paulo ever built, another was the beautiful cathedral de sei, the famous avenida polista and many more. Sao Paulo is so huge it was impossible to see everything of importance, but it was muito bonita! There were a lot of homeless though and it was very sad to see! The men and women just set up beds and tents right on the side of the sidewalk and sleep. It was very sad to see!
After we got back to Sao Bernardo from Sao Paulo Camilla met us again and took us to the supermarket before we took the bus back home. I have been very pleased that in Brazil everything in a package is labeled "contém glúten": contains gluten or "não contém glúten": doesn't contain gluten. It has made it so easy to buy things or not, but I was still very disappointed to find that there are very few foods to buy that don't contain gluten. The Estados Unidos has many more options for celiac people than Brazil does.
When I got home I was super surprised to find company in the kitchen and even more surprised that we had a great time talking and becoming friends...even with the language barrier. Shirley, Rodrigo, Amanda, Gabriel and Gabriela all taught me the Portuguese alphabet, how to count, basic colors and several phrases. My new friends and family have been so wonderful and patient with me! Estou muito feliz and I can't wait to start classes tomorrow at the Universidad Metodista.
Thank you again to everyone who has kept me in your prayers and I hope you enjoy the pics from today's adventures!
Adeus!
Adventures in Brazil pictures
After visiting and taking pictures for a while we loaded the tour bus and set off for Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo is the second largest city in the world with 18 million people living in the city and 23 million people living in the Sao Paulo metro area. We first went to the Central Supermarket, which is famous in Sao Paulo for all their exotic fruits, meats and things to buy. It was beautiful and I bought some beautiful hand made earrings and bracelets made from gold grass as well as lechi fruit. Lechi fruit is totally weird and looks like something out of a scifi movie, but tastes muito bom!
After having lunch we loaded back onto the tour bus and were taken to several areas in Sao Paulo that represent historical spots. One place was a museum that has the oldest wall in Sao Paulo ever built, another was the beautiful cathedral de sei, the famous avenida polista and many more. Sao Paulo is so huge it was impossible to see everything of importance, but it was muito bonita! There were a lot of homeless though and it was very sad to see! The men and women just set up beds and tents right on the side of the sidewalk and sleep. It was very sad to see!
After we got back to Sao Bernardo from Sao Paulo Camilla met us again and took us to the supermarket before we took the bus back home. I have been very pleased that in Brazil everything in a package is labeled "contém glúten": contains gluten or "não contém glúten": doesn't contain gluten. It has made it so easy to buy things or not, but I was still very disappointed to find that there are very few foods to buy that don't contain gluten. The Estados Unidos has many more options for celiac people than Brazil does.
When I got home I was super surprised to find company in the kitchen and even more surprised that we had a great time talking and becoming friends...even with the language barrier. Shirley, Rodrigo, Amanda, Gabriel and Gabriela all taught me the Portuguese alphabet, how to count, basic colors and several phrases. My new friends and family have been so wonderful and patient with me! Estou muito feliz and I can't wait to start classes tomorrow at the Universidad Metodista.
Thank you again to everyone who has kept me in your prayers and I hope you enjoy the pics from today's adventures!
Adeus!
Adventures in Brazil pictures
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Day 1 In An Unfamiliar Land...
Olá do Brasil!
I have finally made it and I am so excited I can hardly handle it! I am at my new home with my host mother and father Franca and Adamir and my roomies Audrey and Brittney. My flight from Seattle to Atlanta went smoothly and I met a really nice girl who kept me company. After landing in Atlanta I realized the airport is HUGE and I had to hurry to my next gate to catch my flight to Sao Paulo. Once at the gate I met up with my friend Kaela and we boarded the plane together.
It was the most amazing feeling to feel the plane surge forward, the lights of Atlanta stream by and my excitement just brew inside of me. I took the time to pray and read from my bible and I asked God to bless my trip and use me in ways I never thought possible.
Once I arrived in Sao Paulo Kaela and I went through customs, which was super easy, and then headed for baggage claim. I found my bag easily, but her's ended up stuck in Atlanta. Poor thing was nervous it was stolen, but she was excited to learn that it will arrive tomorrow.
We were picked up by Vanessa Martins, the school coordinator, and taken to the Methodist University. I uploaded a video of the travel so that you can see and experience the first sites of Sao Paulo as I did.
Franca and Adamir have been so wonderful so far. We ate breakfast after being picked up, then she showed me to my room where I got settled and then we were called to beautiful lunch! She knows all about my allergies to gluten and dairy and is being so supportive and willing to make adjustments as needed.
I just now woke up from a long nap (jet lag sucks!) and could hear the city bells bellowing through my window. I am so excited and wish I could write more, but I need to go and get ready for Franca's aniversario (birthday). There is a big party tonight that starts soon. Thank you to everyone who is praying for my safe travels and I look forward to sharing with you another day. Hope you enjoy the unique beauty of the city as I have!
Boa noite
The video is finally uploaded!!!! I hope you enjoy Sao Paulo!
I have finally made it and I am so excited I can hardly handle it! I am at my new home with my host mother and father Franca and Adamir and my roomies Audrey and Brittney. My flight from Seattle to Atlanta went smoothly and I met a really nice girl who kept me company. After landing in Atlanta I realized the airport is HUGE and I had to hurry to my next gate to catch my flight to Sao Paulo. Once at the gate I met up with my friend Kaela and we boarded the plane together.
It was the most amazing feeling to feel the plane surge forward, the lights of Atlanta stream by and my excitement just brew inside of me. I took the time to pray and read from my bible and I asked God to bless my trip and use me in ways I never thought possible.
Once I arrived in Sao Paulo Kaela and I went through customs, which was super easy, and then headed for baggage claim. I found my bag easily, but her's ended up stuck in Atlanta. Poor thing was nervous it was stolen, but she was excited to learn that it will arrive tomorrow.
We were picked up by Vanessa Martins, the school coordinator, and taken to the Methodist University. I uploaded a video of the travel so that you can see and experience the first sites of Sao Paulo as I did.
Franca and Adamir have been so wonderful so far. We ate breakfast after being picked up, then she showed me to my room where I got settled and then we were called to beautiful lunch! She knows all about my allergies to gluten and dairy and is being so supportive and willing to make adjustments as needed.
I just now woke up from a long nap (jet lag sucks!) and could hear the city bells bellowing through my window. I am so excited and wish I could write more, but I need to go and get ready for Franca's aniversario (birthday). There is a big party tonight that starts soon. Thank you to everyone who is praying for my safe travels and I look forward to sharing with you another day. Hope you enjoy the unique beauty of the city as I have!
The video is finally uploaded!!!! I hope you enjoy Sao Paulo!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Bom Dia! (Good morning)
After a long night at work, packing and only 4 hours of sleep today is finally here! I LEAVE FOR BRAZIL! I am so excited that I can't even handle it! For the last few days I have been reading the posts on facebook from my friends that went a head of me and it already sounds amazing! I have no idea what to expect, but I know I will be greeted with beautiful weather and amazing opportunities. My lands tomorrow morning in Brazil at 8:15 and I look forward to letting you all know what my adventures have brought me.
Wish me safe travels!
After a long night at work, packing and only 4 hours of sleep today is finally here! I LEAVE FOR BRAZIL! I am so excited that I can't even handle it! For the last few days I have been reading the posts on facebook from my friends that went a head of me and it already sounds amazing! I have no idea what to expect, but I know I will be greeted with beautiful weather and amazing opportunities. My lands tomorrow morning in Brazil at 8:15 and I look forward to letting you all know what my adventures have brought me.
Wish me safe travels!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Count Down Is On!
There are officially less than 48 hours left before I depart for Sao Paulo and I am a little scatter brained to say the least! This is my first official blog post and after quickly reading an article on setting up a blog I chose Blogger and my site of choice and am now thinking of all the things I still have to do to get ready to leave.
Two days ago I went shopping and was excited thinking now all I have to do is pack when I realized tonight that I still need to get a gift for my host family...which is a little weird! How do I bring a thank you gift that represents Seattle to family I have never met before? My other to do's: 1. pack...reasonably 2. print off all needed documentation 3. pay bills 4. call bank about traveling out of the country! (VERY IMPORTANT) 5. Post blog to facebook. I am sure there are other to do's, but I am not even totally sure at this point. I do know that I am starting to get extremely excited and I am looking forward to all that this trip is going to bring. I pray that God blesses this trip in ways I could never imagine and keeps us all safe!
Thank you to the many friends and family who are supporting me on this adeventure and to those of you who are willing to follow me while I am gone! I hope I can share all of my adventures and that you are all satisfied with the media project I bring forth!
Boa noite (Good night),
Ericka!
Two days ago I went shopping and was excited thinking now all I have to do is pack when I realized tonight that I still need to get a gift for my host family...which is a little weird! How do I bring a thank you gift that represents Seattle to family I have never met before? My other to do's: 1. pack...reasonably 2. print off all needed documentation 3. pay bills 4. call bank about traveling out of the country! (VERY IMPORTANT) 5. Post blog to facebook. I am sure there are other to do's, but I am not even totally sure at this point. I do know that I am starting to get extremely excited and I am looking forward to all that this trip is going to bring. I pray that God blesses this trip in ways I could never imagine and keeps us all safe!
Thank you to the many friends and family who are supporting me on this adeventure and to those of you who are willing to follow me while I am gone! I hope I can share all of my adventures and that you are all satisfied with the media project I bring forth!
Boa noite (Good night),
Ericka!
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