I just was looking at the weather back home right now and saw it was 55˚F and I have to say. I’m so sorry y’all. I feel your pain. Right now it 6am and a nice muggy 75˚F. Since I’ve posted before I’ve co-taught two English classes. One was amazing. The students were all very motivated excited about the lesson. Two students brought food for us teachers, homemade chocolate cake and local flat bread like a cracker. They asked me a lot of questions. I participated in the lesson plan. Then I taught them the song Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes. After that they taught me the same song in Portuguese. We gave them homework and the students gave me homework since I’m learning their language. I’ll have to study hard. They’ll expect me to be as serious about my Portuguese as they are about their English. The other class was fun too however it was hard to keep the students focused. Rami had a dance class at the same time as this class. Halfway through our English class an other teacher, (Marena - who is also an English teacher) ran to the door to our class and yelled. “You have to see the dance class! It’s great.” All of our students promptly revolted and went down the hall to stand at the door to Rami’s class. It took some doing to get everyone back but since everyone had a hard time concentrating to begin with it was all over. Next week Rami’s class will be in another building.
Rami and I also visited the local nun’s. They are known for massage and natural medicine. We both had an hour massage for the equivalent of 8 dollars. They asked me to come and teach them some of my remedies. I’ve also volunteered to go there to learn and help make local medicine. It’s really old school. They go out and wildcraft the herbs, dry them then make remedies.
We had our first Portuguese class. Our teacher Alaina can’t speak English so I have to actually try to use Portuguese. I suck but that’s okay. I’ve only been here for less than a week.
More about bugs:
I’ve have gotten some questions regarding my last post and I just have to say. There are bugs and some bite but it isn’t that bad. As sensitive as I am to discomfort I’m really surprised that it’s not as bad as I thought. Normally you don’t have to worry about those ants unless you disturb them. I’m not a mass of scabby bites. In fact my skin never looked better than it does here.
So the school is closing for the rest of the week for Easter. Rami and I will be headed to the coast to go to the beach and see a city. So I we may not have access to the internet until after Sunday.
By the way you can add comments to the end of the post if you want!!
See you in 5 days!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Domingo (Sunday)
Rami and I slept late. There were no set plans. We did a little shopping with Melanie at the market. I bought a melon using Portuguese all by myself! I’m feeling a little more confident about walking around. I’m going to start taking some walks by myself soon. That has always been a good way of immersing me.
I went to my first capoeira class night with Rami. My legs are already starting to hurt. It was so fun. The teacher is very dynamic. The students were all concerned with making sure I understood what was happening. I had two spectacular falls, few times I ended up with my back to my partner and several times that I just was moving around not knowing what the heck I was doing. But… everyone was so encouraging. I’ll probably have some bruises tomorrow. Rami, on the other hand, is catching on fast. She’ll have a good foundation when we leave. After we played capoeira we formed a smaller circle and danced samba. I perked up for that since it’s one of my favorite dances! While we were playing it started to rain really hard. By the time we walked home it had stopped and there were little streams in the road.
You bite/I’ll bite:
Can I talk to you about bugs? Do you remember the National Geographic program about fire ants? They swarmed over an armadillo with a thousand stinging bites, with venom so painful, the poor animal was paralyzed. Then they ate it? Well I don’t believe these big red ants we have here are the same but they must be related. Last night while working on my computer I was bitten by one on my ankle, My whole foot hurt so bad I thought I was going to die. One ant! I couldn't even catch the little monster it ran so fast and I could move well with my foot falling off. The pain only lasted about ten minute but now I keep imagining that armadillo covered in fire ants and wince. Mosquitoes are small and everywhere. I’ve stopped trying to keep from getting bitten and just concentrate on getting bitten less.
We have to keep food sealed and surfaces clean. The amount of flies, ants and other miscellaneous bugs that appear in the kitchen if we accidentally leave something out is no joke. The day I made pizza I saw movement in the flour. There was a small hole in the bag and bugs had gotten in. We decided to sift the bugs out and use the flour (waste not want not). On closer examination I estimated the ratio of bugs to flour to be about 50/50. My vote was changed to throwing it out this time. Buggies are everywhere! So far I’ve swallowed about 10 bugs that I know about. Fair is fair. They are eating me.
I went to my first capoeira class night with Rami. My legs are already starting to hurt. It was so fun. The teacher is very dynamic. The students were all concerned with making sure I understood what was happening. I had two spectacular falls, few times I ended up with my back to my partner and several times that I just was moving around not knowing what the heck I was doing. But… everyone was so encouraging. I’ll probably have some bruises tomorrow. Rami, on the other hand, is catching on fast. She’ll have a good foundation when we leave. After we played capoeira we formed a smaller circle and danced samba. I perked up for that since it’s one of my favorite dances! While we were playing it started to rain really hard. By the time we walked home it had stopped and there were little streams in the road.
You bite/I’ll bite:
Can I talk to you about bugs? Do you remember the National Geographic program about fire ants? They swarmed over an armadillo with a thousand stinging bites, with venom so painful, the poor animal was paralyzed. Then they ate it? Well I don’t believe these big red ants we have here are the same but they must be related. Last night while working on my computer I was bitten by one on my ankle, My whole foot hurt so bad I thought I was going to die. One ant! I couldn't even catch the little monster it ran so fast and I could move well with my foot falling off. The pain only lasted about ten minute but now I keep imagining that armadillo covered in fire ants and wince. Mosquitoes are small and everywhere. I’ve stopped trying to keep from getting bitten and just concentrate on getting bitten less.
We have to keep food sealed and surfaces clean. The amount of flies, ants and other miscellaneous bugs that appear in the kitchen if we accidentally leave something out is no joke. The day I made pizza I saw movement in the flour. There was a small hole in the bag and bugs had gotten in. We decided to sift the bugs out and use the flour (waste not want not). On closer examination I estimated the ratio of bugs to flour to be about 50/50. My vote was changed to throwing it out this time. Buggies are everywhere! So far I’ve swallowed about 10 bugs that I know about. Fair is fair. They are eating me.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Our Whirlwind Arrival (2 days)
So our trip started off like clock-work. Before we new it we were sitting at our gate with plenty of time on our hands. Rami did yoga. I jumped in for a little bit then went back to being catatonic. Our flight was nice... we got stuck in Atlanta for around 5 hours... good times... I remember it as if it were yesterday... The rest of the trip was nice. We arrived met Fabio and his friend who drove us home.
The distance from Salvadore to Capim Grosso is analogous to driving from Oakland to LA. The traffic was crazy as anyone who has traveled to a Caribbean country might know. Green and beautiful. Our driver (sorry I can't remember his name) was a dare devil with super reflexes. As it got dark I had to close my eyes so I didn't have to suppress the ergo to scream. Rami saw a marge of a black cow running along side the road. It disappeared right after it ran in front of our car - we were tired.
Sacia and Fabio are now the parents of beautiful twin baby boys Gabriel and Zeca. Bundles of cuteness. They love the two baby stroller we brought for them. I think having it here is significant. People stop and stare as they pass. Rami started her dance class for the little kids today. They are so cute. I went to the market to help by veggies and helped make lunch. They wanted pizza - go figure. We had lots of other yummy food.
There are several other volunteers in our compound Charles, Jon, Flavia, Marena, Melanie and Nadia. Everyone is so wonderful. We eat on the patio in the court yard. Everyone takes turns doing chores. Rami and I start in the rotation at the beginning of the week.
Later I volunteered at the local coop. They have lots of locally crafts and products. One of the big projects the have is to find uses for a small nut called licudi. It's a coconut like nut that is around the size of an almond (rounder and smaller. The tree is endangered and there trying to save it. John is REALLY into licudi. Our visit we are off to the compound again. The as we walk I look at the city. It's filled with mostly one story brick and stucco houses/compounds and trees ( little different than Salvadore). It takes some getting use to but I've decided that I think it's beautiful in it's own way.
Back at the compound... We are invited to a Heavy Metal concert in town. What was notable? It was a community event. People of all ages were there. It was my dream to be in the midst of other Metal loving Africans - BAM there it is! Rami and I danced up a storm; a mash-pit was started and pictures were taken and perhaps a video? We may add more later. I didn't sleep till 3:30am.
03/27/2010
I co-taught an English class at 8:00am. Then after class we had ice cream with our students.
After a wonderful lunch we went to a break-dance class. After that we went to a party for Sacia and Fabio's new babies. Rami played really hard with Bianca the 6 year old warrior princess. While there we experienced homemade chocolates, trading children's hand-slap games in English and Portuguese and lots of hugs. Then a walk back to the compound. On the way back the streets are packed for another community dance Fiesta tonight. As we walk it starts to rain. By the time we get back to the compound the rain is pouring. We sit on the patio while Nadia make sure her baby (a kitten) is okay. Then I start this entry to all of you reading. Guess what? It's only 8pm. There is a band playing in the main square of town and most of the town is out there. I might go but I'm exhausted. I still might...
The distance from Salvadore to Capim Grosso is analogous to driving from Oakland to LA. The traffic was crazy as anyone who has traveled to a Caribbean country might know. Green and beautiful. Our driver (sorry I can't remember his name) was a dare devil with super reflexes. As it got dark I had to close my eyes so I didn't have to suppress the ergo to scream. Rami saw a marge of a black cow running along side the road. It disappeared right after it ran in front of our car - we were tired.
Sacia and Fabio are now the parents of beautiful twin baby boys Gabriel and Zeca. Bundles of cuteness. They love the two baby stroller we brought for them. I think having it here is significant. People stop and stare as they pass. Rami started her dance class for the little kids today. They are so cute. I went to the market to help by veggies and helped make lunch. They wanted pizza - go figure. We had lots of other yummy food.
There are several other volunteers in our compound Charles, Jon, Flavia, Marena, Melanie and Nadia. Everyone is so wonderful. We eat on the patio in the court yard. Everyone takes turns doing chores. Rami and I start in the rotation at the beginning of the week.
Later I volunteered at the local coop. They have lots of locally crafts and products. One of the big projects the have is to find uses for a small nut called licudi. It's a coconut like nut that is around the size of an almond (rounder and smaller. The tree is endangered and there trying to save it. John is REALLY into licudi. Our visit we are off to the compound again. The as we walk I look at the city. It's filled with mostly one story brick and stucco houses/compounds and trees ( little different than Salvadore). It takes some getting use to but I've decided that I think it's beautiful in it's own way.
Back at the compound... We are invited to a Heavy Metal concert in town. What was notable? It was a community event. People of all ages were there. It was my dream to be in the midst of other Metal loving Africans - BAM there it is! Rami and I danced up a storm; a mash-pit was started and pictures were taken and perhaps a video? We may add more later. I didn't sleep till 3:30am.
03/27/2010
I co-taught an English class at 8:00am. Then after class we had ice cream with our students.
After a wonderful lunch we went to a break-dance class. After that we went to a party for Sacia and Fabio's new babies. Rami played really hard with Bianca the 6 year old warrior princess. While there we experienced homemade chocolates, trading children's hand-slap games in English and Portuguese and lots of hugs. Then a walk back to the compound. On the way back the streets are packed for another community dance Fiesta tonight. As we walk it starts to rain. By the time we get back to the compound the rain is pouring. We sit on the patio while Nadia make sure her baby (a kitten) is okay. Then I start this entry to all of you reading. Guess what? It's only 8pm. There is a band playing in the main square of town and most of the town is out there. I might go but I'm exhausted. I still might...
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