Living in Brazil Part 2

 

Moving to Brazil wasn't an easy transition. I had to get use to alot of things. The first thing was of course the language. Portuguese is a language   that I haven't had much contact with in the United States or in Jamaica. Secondly, I had to adjust to the pace and the everyday life. The third thing was the culture. Brazil is a culture that is based on feel, touch and sensitivity. Brazilian people love conversation.. Whether or not they know you, they will take the time to get to know you. The first month was the hardest transition. Just the formality with everything was not so easy and took alot of time. In the first month upon arrival, there was alot going on politically.The manifestation was getting big. People would protest in the streets getting the attention of local and state officials to increase wages, build better hospitals and decrease the wages of public transportation. There were moments I would observe people running and ranting in the streets shouting to the political officials to make a change. Every week in another state in Brazil you you see on the news people entering government official setting the buses on fire, breaking entering, and tying themselves up to post. It was intense at times, as the police officers had to intervene with tear gas and sometimes gun fire. Sometimes after a day of work coming from the metro, I would be looking around, because you never know when an agitated crowd of people would start coming your way.


     My first few months were generally spend partying and going out to social events. They would gather on street starting from one location and slowly move to other parts of the city playing instruments, dancing and singing Samba. These were moments when I started to really appreciate the culture of Brazil even more. The best times would be after a long day of work and coming off the metro and encountering block parties. People in the community coming together singing dancing and having a good time. The block parties got even more intense once carnival time started approaching. I spent many of my time going to bars and samba clubs. It was difficult going out to samba clubs as first because the dancing was difficult to master. I had a difficult time in the beginning especially talking with woman. Brazilian woman are a woman that they may appear easy but deception can be deceiving. Its been a year now and i still struggle with many things but i am better now than how I was a year ago. My mind has open more and I have learn to slow down quit a bit. By learning from this important experience it has now shaped my outlook on life and my dreams and life in so many   different way. I will explain more into detail as time goes by.. Meeting people around the world staying at hostels was the highlight of my trip.. There exchanging of cultures with people from all over the world happens. For me its just another classroom to learn from the teacher which is life. There, I gain memorial friends that will be forever in my memory.


The first guest was Celestino. I had the best time getting to know him.  He was the best guest at the hostel. He was an older gentlemen, but its difficult to see his real age because he has the heart of a child just like me. He is always laughing, cheerful, and curious, Given the fact that we both spoke different languages it was difficult for us to communicate with each other. As time went on we develop a bond that will forever make us connected. He was like a father figure and a friend. When times were difficult and things didn't look promising, he was there to give me encouraging words. When I had no money or little money he always made sure I had food in my stomach. He also taught me  alot about life and and how to be patient. He also told me to appreciate  the world around me and the gift that surrounds us. He reminds me to this day. The world s for us to enjoy.  In the beginning of my arrival at the hostel. In my first three months there I just sat around the hostel getting to know the guest and the people and staff that worked there. They shared with my intresting stories about their lives and their travels and how they arrived where they were now; I special friend I remember from my experience living at the hostel was Max Otto Kual. He was from Germany. During our time at the hostel we talked about our lives and dreams and what makes us such curious individuals to make us want to do good n the world. We developed a great friend through our exchange of cultural and education. We both have the same mindset of always wanting to change the world for the better good of mankind. He would always invite me to his barbeque's with his friends in Santa Teresa. Every Monday it was a ritual for us to meet up smoke, have some beers and eat some barbecue. He was a very out going guy such as me. Everywhere we went everyone knew Max. He was that kind of person, Very personal who always left and impression you. We had great times and moments learning from one another and sharing our cultures. In the three months being in Brazil he was the first real friend I made. After October he decided to go back home back to Germany. He made my stay here during the first few months in Brazil very enjoyable and unforgettable. I am sure we will cross paths again sometime in the distant future.