I did not have work in the morning… it was a beautiful day… perfect day for the beach… yesssahh. Marita, Indi, and I all went to Itaipu beach, which was about an hour bus ride plus more. By the way Marita (roommate- Denmark) and Indi (Australia) are the two I have become closest with and we do a lot of stuff together. This beach was secluded, which was such an amazing getaway for a day. It was quiet and peaceful. I haven’t had quiet like this since I arrived, so it was nice. For some reason the sun in Brazil does not like me, so I did not get any color, but I dosed off on the beach and there was barely any people around. I even brought my Portuguese book and spent a lot of time studying it, which I ended up using the palavras novas (new words) during the night, so I am glad I spent time on it. Other than that, I spent a lot of time on the buses and I could say that I was missing my car after the long day… well I would be scared to drive here. They run red lights, don’t follow the lanes, and pretty much do their own thing on the road. It’s crazy.
We got an Acai… surprise, surprise. I was home for about an hour until I had to head back on the bus to work the beach. The kids all did sprints and such today, but the two other volunteers and I just played with the soccer ball. Next time I am going to join them in the sprints, but the guy volunteers did not want to… surprised? No, me either. I got to converse with some of the older soccer players afterwards and I got to practice speaking my Portuguese. This guy spoke a little bit of English and so we enjoyed speaking and learning. I am determined to learn this language.
Ok… background information… Audrey had an exchange student go to her school that lives in Niteroi. Small world?? Yeah, pequina. Thank you Audrey :]. Well, we met up tonight and it was so good to meet her and her host sister from Colorado! It was nice to talk with people who know where I am coming from. We met up for an Acai… yeah I know I am obsessed and I will not give up this addiction. It was sooo good hanging out with them and I am sure we will all hang out again! J
Coming here I had no expectations and I had an open mind. I did not expect that I would make friends, get close to the family, and form relationships for soccer. I expected to be independent and go on my own journey. I am relieved to have encountered these people because they have truly made this experience worthwhile. All the volunteers are really close and we are always hanging out with each other. This family has become a family away from home, and I can definitely call them a second family for me. I had a conversation over text message with Agatha (host sister) and it was funny because we add sarcasm to our language barrier. We started off speaking English, but then she started to speak Portuguese and I responded back in Portuguese. It was the first time I got to test what I know in a written form and it was better than listening to the words. She was surprised at how well I did and it was an odd bonding moment. Every day I become closer with the kids at my work and we are starting to joke around more. One of the other volunteers has his last day on Thursday and all he could say to me today was; “I don’t know how I am going to say goodbye to them.” I don’t even want to think of the day that this will all end for me. But this summer is a summer I will never forget and will follow me through the rest of my life…
More pictures from the Flamengo game... :]
Audrey's friend!!
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