So after
3,000 miles to snowy New York and a two day delay at JFK (don’t worry I left
the airport) I finally arrived in Sao, Paulo Brazil this morning! My morning
was filed with much anxiety as I tried to build up strength to leave the
airport for I knew as soon as I stepped outside I’d be hit by a wave of words
that have no meaning to me (YET!)
I somehow
made it to the CIEE office in the city with only knowing one word “obrigado” (thank
you) I don’t know how that happened! As soon as I got to the office I was
walked over to a lecture on Brazilian culture…. It was about racism! That was
pretty much all I got and I think there was a part in the lecture about the use
of pepper in the torturing of slaves….. I could have that totally wrong!!! I just
remember hearing the words “tortura” “escarvo” and “pimenta” for about 30
minutes, if you guys know anything about this (aka Patrick because you know
all/ Wikipedia everything very well!) please let me know.
As for my
host fam, they are an elderly couple and they are the very sweet. If I understood
correctly they have 12 grandchildren!!!! But like many things here on my first
day I could also be wrong. The couple’s name is Heloisa and Edson and they are
still so in love!!!!! I was in the kitchen eating lunch and Heloisa blew a kiss
to her husband and he caught it and rubbed it all over his face, I thought it was
very cute! (it was one of those moments that I think Christopher would have
cried if he had seen it). I also got to meet one of their granddaughters today;
she had a ferbie (YES APPERANTLY CHILDREN STILL PLAY WITH THEM) and when she
brought it into the kitchen and was standing behind me I jumped because I thought
it was a Portuguese speaking parrot (don’t make fun of me I actually thought
that’s what it was when I first heard it). I think it will be good living here,
it’s definitely exhausting as I am trying to pick up the language but I can
tell it’s going to be a good experience.
It’s weird
to think I’m already on my second (third if you count Malaga) abroad program
and I can’t wait to get to know this city just like all the others! I already miss
my Mendoza family and I’m praying that they come visit me!!! I keep in touch
with them and we talk about once a week, I’ve been thinking of maybe going back
and writing my senior thesis on a topic I researched my last month in Mendoza. I
also miss my real family obviously, three weeks at home was just not enough (by
the way they always say hi to all of you, for those who have met them….for
those who haven’t COME TO LA! Mika my mom was literally running up the stairs
when she heard we were facetiming and I’ve only seen my mother run twice in my
life hahaha). And as for my Dickinson fam bam, I always miss you guys
Happy New
Year and best wishes; whether you are in LA, Carlizzle, India, England,
Amsterdam or where ever you may be
Abraço
Wendy
