Ist day in Brazil

I woke up at 8:30 this morning and I just jumped out of bed, since I had to be at breakfast at 9:30, for most people that is enough time but not me I take forever to get ready. My roommate Michele and I got ready and we headed down to breakfast to meet the rest of the group. I was so tired since last night everyone stood up until 2 or 2:30 a.m. just talking about everything. My first actual day in Brazil was weird since nobody was at the hotel and there was really nothing to do within walking distance of the hotel. Quiet frankly I was so tired from the 19-hour plane ride that I just wanted to go to bed, but the minute that I got off the plane I had a burst of energy to explore the city and the people around it.Everyone back at home was warning me to be safe and don´t go out at night alone, which is pretty universal advice on safety, however, the actual experience is quite different as people here are so nice and it isnunusualalal to see couples stroll at 10 p.m. walking their dogs and going out to eat. I still haven´t adjusted to the time, I have a serious case of jetlag, but I feel like I just need to keep going since sleeping would take away the time that I could be spending with my group or the sites.Prof. Reis is really chill, aa lotlot of people in the group are cool, my favorites would be my roommate Michelelle, Vince and Matt, the others seem pretty cool, but I haven´t gotten to know them that well.The language barrier for me isn´t too bad, as I speak Spanish and most words in Spanish are translatablPortugueseguese, however, there have been some times where I make to "no comprende" face and its hard to get across what you want. The locals try to help you understand which is very generous of them and a sigsincerityerety on their part.I still can´t believe I´m in Brazil, it feels still surreal, still so far, but ultimately after the three weeks are up I could remember it with such splendor. I really feel blessed that I have gotten the opportunity to come and interact with people of other cultures. Even if I didn´t speak Spanish I would still appreciate the experience and not let it get me down because my personality is one of curiousity and exploration, despite some people´s wishes to just go out and party I like that I get the chance to learn something beneficial. I feel like it is a good balance, I sure want to go to the beach and go bar-hopping, but also learning a thing or two won´t hurt. I really feel good at this time and hope that the feeling rides into the last part of the trip. Until them, stayfresh.

posted by Cristina Madrid @ 10:39 AM 0 comments
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