Family Lunch + Exposição

Hello followers, reader, etc.

So, it's been almost 2 months since I've been with family #2, the Marchiori family. Though definitely different from the ceaseless movement of the berger family, I'm really enjoying life here. My host brother (technically nephew, but it's a little awkward for a 27 year old man to call me Uncle), Rodrigo, and I have been doing all kinds of things, including bakery hopping, shopping, and other forms of frivolity and buffoonery. Yesterday, though was especially awesome.

Yesterday was my host Uncle, Aldo's, birthday. The entire family got together in our apartment and made various culinary delights. We borrowed one of her Italian cookbooks, and went to town. We made risotto, stuffed cherry tomatoes, croscata, a mushroom salad, smoked-ham-wrapped asparagus, and more...and that was just to start :)

This was supposed to be a lunch, but knowing Brazil, I wasn't surprised when we started to leave around 8:00. I wasn't complaining one bit though.

Directly after the innnnnnncredible lunch, me and my friends from Rolândia went to an equally epic event: The Exposição.

The Exposição (Expo Londrina) is a massive event. The Expo is considered by many the largest agro-industrial fair in Latin America. Everything from farming equipment, to cattle is on display. There are all kinds of contests and events like horse jumping, bull riding and other things, all in the whole "Gaucho" or Western theme. Also, to my delight, they have some of those badass cowboy hats on sale for like R$15. Clint Eastwood would have been proud.

On top of all of that, the shows are what really outstanding. Every day famous sertaneja artists like Fernando and Sorocaba come to play at the Expo's massive stage. This year was the 50th anniversary, so Londrina pulled out a lot more than a "lick and a promise", as the Westerners say.

In short, today was Brazil in a nutshell: great food, great people, and beautiful weather.

More posts soon. Amazon trip just a few weeks away!

Full album of photos available via facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2054106&id=1088161372&l=4c75f7f333

Life in the big City + Parents Presence

Hello followers!

Again, pardon the tardiness. I really need to be more regular about these things. From accustoming to the new family/city, to travelling to Curitiba (Parana's capital), things have been quite busy. I'll be dividing the past months' events over the next several posts.

For now though, blog buddies, exciting news...my parents from the United States are HERE in Brazil!

That's right. Two more gringos have joined the party in Parana. Though I never would have thought it, I was incredibly anxious to pick them up from the airport.

I got there a mere 10 minutes earlier before their estimated arrival, but that short window seemed endless. All my little stresses that have built up over the several weeks - room arrangements, the new schooling atmosphere, etc - seemed to sneak up on me as I paced the airport.

They dissipated, however, as I saw my parents come off the runway.

I literally exploded with elation. I never imagined I would miss them as much as I did (no offense, guys)! As my Dad got the baggage, I basically jumped my Mom. I felt so relieved to see them!

Since their arrival, I've been trying to show them as much as I could of the city and Brazilian culture. From pão de queijo, and the infamous Foz do Iguaçu, to vitamina, I've been giving my parents the best taste of Brazil that I can provide. All of my friends that I've made here - rotary sponsors, host families, friends, etc - are trying to reach out as well; it can get overwhelming at times! Brazilians are incredibly hospitable and enjoy providing every opportunity they can to their friends. Sometimes, it's just hard to keep up with it all!

As we go, I'll be posting some more about the experiences we've been having. Foz do Iguaçu deserves a post by itself; it's incredible! Just stick with us the next couple of days for updates.

Até gente.

Northeast Reflections + Moved in!

Hello followers/viewers! How've you been the past month? Did you miss me?

As I said in the last post, I've been away for the last 30 days on a bus-trip through Brazil. Despite being sick for a short part of it (and a small Dengue Fever scare), the trip was absolutely incredible. Despite having traveled all around the world with my family, this trip never ceased to astound me. Every place, from the small town of Lençois, to the booming metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, had something spectacular to offer. Whether it be breathtaking beaches or mind blowing açaí, this trip literally had it all. In fact, usually the smaller towns held the biggest surprises.

For any exchangers planning on doing this trip be mindful of Jericoacoara. Though it's small, it has a lot more to offer than just beach. Morgan, an American exchange student I met on the trip, and I found literally the world's most incredible cappuccino there.

Imagine! She and I have both been to Italy, and we both agreed without doubt that the taste of this cappuccino was simply ridiculous.

Seriously exchangers, though monuments and museums have a lot to offer, some of the best places you'll find are ones you find yourself. Whenever they give you free time, take it to explore a little! See what there is to see, and you'll be shocked at what you would have missed.

For every exchange student who comes to Brazil, this is THE trip to go on. The other trips are cool without a doubt, but none of them are like this. It's reasons like these people say Brazil is one of the best places to do an exchange.

In short, if you're an exchange student in Brazil, do this trip. It is worth every centavo.

SO, a new chapter has begun in my exchange: I am officially moved in to family #2's house, and out of the Berger's.

For now, I am living in an apartment building near the center of Londrina. It's a big transition in a lot of way. For starters, I've gone from a town of roughly 25,000 people, to a city of more than 200 times that amount. I've moved from a family of 5, to living with one host mom.

Though the situation is different, the city has a ton to offer, and there are a lot more exchange students here in Londrina. Though I'm sad that my trip is over, and I've left my first family, It's easy to look to the future and even easier to it breaking the day.

As the future unfolds, I'll keep you guys posted. Stay faithful!

Northeast Photos Part 1: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2052287&id=1088161372&l=00706b197b

Northeast Photos Part 2: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2052689&id=1088161372&l=f61b1fa5a3

Northeast Trip 2011 + Family #2

Hello again followers! I realize it's been a while, but I've been out doing all kinds of things over the past several weeks, and I'm just now getting a chance to post. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday/New Year!

In my Rotary district, I heard a lot of stories with mixed emotions about host families. I heard that while some students had amazing experiences with their host parents, some also had some difficulties. One of my friends from Germany told me about when she came to America, she had dreamed of being able to see at least some of the wonders that America has to offer. New York City, Boston and Washington DC were just some of the ones I remembered specifically.

Sometimes though, things can turn out differently than you'd expect. I spoke with her again after 6 months and asked her how things were going. She told me that after all this time, she had not had one opportunity to go to any of these places. She seldom even traveled outside of the city!

After hearing this, I couldn't help but think what my first host family would be like. I was concerned that I might not have opportunities to travel or explore what my city would offer. I was concerned that, like my friend, I might not have the best experience.

That fear was utterly razed the day I met Henrique Berger. From that moment to right now, he has been an ideal host Father, filled with charisma, care and a formidable sense of humor. I instantly bonded with their family and became instantly comfortable staying with them. He and the family have provided me with tons of opportunities to do everything from travel to the beach, to stay on a farm. I owe a lot of my incredible Brazilian experience thus far to him and the Bergers. In short, I couldn't have possibly been happier with any other family.

The next two days mark two big things in my career as an exchange student. One is hugely positive, while the other is rather negative.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the World Renowned: Northeast Trip. Every Rotary exchange student who's been to Brazil knows all about this baby. In short, it's a month long voyage of the Northeastern region of Brazil, with some stops along the way. Tomorrow at 8:30 me and my friends will hop on a bus in Londrina all the way up to São Paulo. From then on, the awesomeness is non-stop. We'll be driving all around the country stopping in all sorts of places: Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Fortaleza are just some of the many.

So after much effort, my travel bag is finally packed completely (YES). I am proud to say that I am completely ready to go tomorrow. I beyond excited and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to sleep tonight. I'm practically counting down the minutes.

Though today marks a great victory - as my bag is finally packed - it also marks something a little depressing. After almost 5 months here, I'll be switching families. I've bonded heavily with the Bergers and I'll definitely notice the void in my bedroom without André by my side.

That aside, I'm going to make the best of what's ahead. If being abroad has taught me anything thus far, it's that you have to seize every opportunity presented to you, despite initial doubt or fear. I have done all kinds of things here that I never would have imagined myself doing and now that only more await. So though family #2 will be different, whatever unique opportunities present themselves should prepare themselves; I'm coming for them.

Internet access will be sporadic over the next month, so I can't guarantee any blog posts for a while. I'll be keeping a journal with me so that when I get back, I should be able to write at least one or two posts about the trip.

Stay faithful followers! I'm still here!

Parabéns Giovana e Rafael!

On November 27, 2010, my host-cousin Rafael and his beautiful wife Giovana were married.

I have been to a wedding before (which admittedly I can hardly remember) and have heard many stories about how beautiful and timeless they are. Those re-tellings however, pale in comparison to this absolutely incredible event.

The ceremony itself was hosted in a church of German origins, where some of my host family's members now rest. Excited family members filed into the candlelit church just as the last traces of daylight fizzled out. The ceremony itself was filled with tears of joy, music and the unmistakable presence of unconditional, unwavering love. It was truly beautiful.

I did not cry, I swear.

Moving on, the ceremony's awesomeness was only matched by the reception. Though the ceremony had around 100 people, the reception itself held around 500 people. Too accommodate all of these people and their desire to eat delicious things, a massive table near the entrance to the reception was complete with over 20,000 candies. I died of happy.

After shamelessly gorging myself on chocolate, I noticed that the buffet table, there was steaming, succulent Brazilian lobster. So many tasty things, so little time. I think I ate my weight in food that night.

I can't even begin to do the rest of the wedding justice. The only way to truly appreciate it, is to see it for yourself. So, I found the website to the Wedding Photographer's blog, which you can find at the bottom of this post. I encourage you to check it out and be jealous of the awesome delicious things as well as the brilliant atmosphere.

Anyway, congratulations to Rafael and Giovana! Years of happiness to you both, both in and out of this lifetime.

http://www.mmarinho.com/blog/default.aspx?id=174

Thanksgiving in California, in Brasil.

As any American would know, today is Thanksgiving...or yesterday I suppose (1:09 AM here in Brasil). It's a day to remember and be grateful for those things people sometimes take for granted.

Since I've been born, my memories of this day are filled with the familiar sight of golden turkey and the sweet aroma of freshly baked pie. Though today was the day of feasting, today was also the day to toast; to pay tribute to those integral, yet often overshadowed elements of life. Friends, family and time together.

For Brazilians however, today is just another day.

I woke up today assuming that I would not see the familiar golden breast of a turkey, nor would I see the freshly baked pies. I've thought about today, so that when I actually realized that what I'd been accustomed to for 18 years was about to change, it wouldn't come as such a shock. However, it was still peculiar. I sat down at my dinner table with my two brothers, hungrily devouring my pão de queijo, while my host mother went to pick up my host father from the airport.

After dinner, I logged onto Skype. I spoke with my family, who then went off to have their Thanksgiving dinner. Just after I had accepted not doing Thanksgiving, something changed everything.

Lily Watson, one of my friends living in California, was about to have her Thanksgiving dinner with her family. Knowing that Brazilians don't celebrate Thanksgiving, we (with parental permission of course), arranged for a virtual Thanksgiving via Skype. Now this I didn't expect waking up.

So there I sat at midnight in my bathroom, watching the flickering of soft candlelight at Watson Manor. Despite being a continent and 1000 miles away, we could still laugh and make jokes at the Thanksgiving dinner table. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about elephant ear sandwiches, vibrating mattresses among other things.

Today, the thousands of miles separating me from American culture were rendered to the thickness of my laptop screen. You never really are alone after all, are you?

Happy Thanksgiving readers.

2.2C: The End of a Dynasty.

Friday was my last day of school at Colegio Marista in Londrina, Brasil.

I started there only a couple days after I arrived, when I spoke virtually nothing outside of "Oi" and "Tudo bem". My memories of my first day are clear: I was ushered into class by the Principal of the school, in the middle of class. I stood in front of over thirty kids silently and awkwardly while she made a brief speech, telling all the kids not to embarrass the school or Brazil. As they laughed, I sat down in front of Fernanda Torres, one of the few students in the class who speaks English well.

Fernanda (Fer) helped me with a lot, though she may not have known it. Though many people were interested in me at first because I was new, she was one of my few real friends at Marista. Though I had a basic idea of what their school was like, there were a lot of things things that I never would have known about had it not been for Fer. Whenever I needed help or guidance with something we were doing in or outside of class, she was always happy to explain. When I didn't know anyone in the class, she was always happy to introduce me to her friends. Had it not been for her, I'd always mix up the words Saudades and Saude and say negrão instead of Nagao.

Marista holds a lot of memories, both hilarious and embarrassing. There though, my language skills really skyrocketed. I started from basically nothing; I had had difficulties with everything from asking to borrow a pen, to trying to buy a can of mango juice. By the time I left, I was able to talk to almost everyone and understand about 50-60% of what everyone was saying. Considering that, I'm really proud but most of all, I'm grateful.

My experience at Colegio Marista is one that I'll never forget and carry with me for the rest of my life.

Obrigado Fer, e obrigado 2.2C. Vocês me deram um lembrança que vou levar com mim sempre.

Other photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2050558&id=1088161372&l=5dd44a546d