Rio marks 450th anniversary with 450-meter cake

Living in Brazil Part 3

Things were moving in the right direction. I had a set schedule  at the English course. I had just made a new friend Bernard Alveres. We would make Lapa our every Friday hangout spot. That was where all the madness started and where it ended. You name it I saw it, Nightclubs, Restaurants, Bars, Large crowds, Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, It was the main spot for locals and tourists both near and abroad. The streets would be swarmed with people on both sides. The woman would come out with their  most sexiest outfit and the men would come out with their best chances to get a girl, which involves alot of times going shirtless. Many would dress to impress which some literally try to flex their muscles to draw attention. For me, I really on my sense of humor and Witt, to open the gates of communication, but their was still a problem I still had to learn Portuguese. For the first three months, I found it difficult to speak to woman. First, the language, but secondly cultural differences and behaviors. In Brazil as I had to learn more with time, You cant seem to be too available because in Brazil it comes across as a weakness, but at the same time you have to show a level of interest. The most importantly, you have to let then come to you. Its like a game of chest with many rules, but the its important you don't show all your moves right away. You have to appear mysterious and desired so they chase you as well.

      Getting back to the Lapa madness, the scenes there was no place I have ever witness. People flooding the streets heading to local concerts and bars hangouts. What I enjoyed most more about Lapa was going to the Famous Lapa Steps and having drinks with my friend singing and dancing with foreigners from abroad.  For the first four months in Brazil every weekend was the spot. What I really liked about hanging out in |Lapa besides the steps, where the arcos de Lapa. The bands would come out and perform street dance Samba for the crowd, After along week,It was the perfect place to dance and release some energy and meet some new people. Things would really get on the way as I started to develop some really good friendships in the Hostel. Miguel Barradas Daltro Santos. We spent most of early mornings at the hostel smoking our normal wake and make remedy and watching old classic American and Brazilian films. I really like having conversations with him because he had a really open-mind. He had a professional way about handling things when it came to his job, but he also was a very outgoing person, At times, which seemed to not have any boundaries, He was the longest employee working at Bellas Artes Hostel. He  stuck around 7 months more after I arrived at the Hostel. It was difficult for me to see him go, but at the same time he needed to make his transition and from the conversations we had, I knew it was that time for him to move on. The thing I remembered most about him was his love for video games and his curiosity for the love of science and philosophy.

    Another great person I had a chance to know at the hostel was Rodigo Castro. He was the manager at Bellas Artes. I had a chance learn and adopt alot of things from him. He told me alot about the culture of Brazil. He was always looking out for me. When I was in trouble or if I need something he was there with words of encouragement and wisdom. He was the type of person who looked out for his friends. People like him don't come around very often when they do its hard not to forget them. The first few months, was a bit of a struggle for me in Brazil. He was always there to assist me or give me a helping hand. It was then I started to understand the Brazilian culture even more. We had some great moments in the hostel, especially when it came to  exchanging Portuguese and English.

   There was an American girl working at the hostel. Her name was Emily Everett. She was a Southern girl from Mississippi. She was the only American contact I had when I first moved into the hostel. It was kind of reassuring for me at times because we would listen to American music, and talk about issues going on back in the states. We would have our moments when the guest would leave we would crank up the music really loud and dance and sing to hip hop oldies. Our favorite song was Ice Cube´s Today Was A Good Day. We had our moments really. I had a really good time getting to know her. She was not your typical American girl. She had done alot of traveling and spoke three languages. She was very artistic and expressive. She was also very down to earth. We shared alot of laughs and I learn a great deal from her. She didn't stick around very long but she had a long lasting impression.

   Approaching Christmas. I started to become a little homesick. I spent many times alone. After Emily had left, I started to drink and smoke to keep myself occupied. Ines MarquesBastos was from Portugal. She was only 20 years old, but from the way she spoke and carried herself, it seemed as if she had been on the earth for quit a while. She took the place of Emily working at the reception. She was very intelligent, sensitive, adventurous, and very worldly. She was a very good communicator. When she spoke people gravitated towards her. We had alot in common. We both had much curiosity about the world and we wanted to do great things in it. We shared our past future hopes and optimism for the future. We went out and explore the city of Rio and had some really good times.After a week, I felt like I  met a really good friend. We went to the beach and explored the city of Rio together. In the weeks ending, we finish the year with a bang!  On New Years eve, She and I along with guest at the hostel went to Copacabana beach and witness a spectacle like nothing we had never seen. Fireworks lite up the skies of Copacabana beach, where the millions of people on the streets came from all over the world. It was a magical time and a great time because it was a transitional period. Things will started to take a dip in the following weeks coming. 

Teaching English in Brazil Part 3

 
                                     

Teaching English was starting to  become a really enlightening experience for me, especially when I had the chance to move on. After landing a job AT INEP in the beginning of January 2014. I started to mold myself into a different person. When I first started I still had many issues to work out. First being on time and secondly being more organized.  INEP was the first place where I started to realized what it meant to be a professional. Showing to work on time. Dressing professionally. Time management. Most importantly structure.  I started to teach in the mornings and in the evenings. Most of my hours were based from 8-12 and then in the evening from 4-8. Many of my students were a mixture of children and adults. The children for me was the most difficult but at the same time the most rewarding. Teaching children requires patience and constant engagement in various activities. As for adults, it takes a great deal of preparation and training of speaking. Many of my students were so happy to learn English. As time wore on I developed a really close bounds with my students. Even taking it further beyond the classroom. We would have time to take breaks and go out to cafe´s and practice our English conversational skills there, There were two students imparticular Ditto and Roseli that loved to use there times to speak.. On Tuesdays during our classes we would use the time to go to the local cafe and local supermarket to practice our English.. We would talk about anything that came to our mind. Using what we have learnt in classes.

    From the past tense, present simple,  future continuous,  we were using English in our everyday speech to connect to the world. Ditto and Roseli and I would go out to the cafe  and hold a 10 minute conversation speaking about what we encountered that day or what they have experienced in their past experience. I wanted  to break them  out of the comfort some  of the classroom environment and make them think outside the box so they would know how to truly communicate with language. Along the way, I started to know little things about them which benefited us all in the classroom. Its been a a journey teaching them, both Ditto and Roseli pushed me to my limits. During my my time at INEP I saw students come and student go but Ditto and Roseli have been with me until now. At times it was difficult and I took some of those losses personality, but I have learnt you cant help everybody. You can only help those who want to be helped. You cant force a person to learn you can only give them the tools and show them how it works. Its been nearly a year since we´ve first met, but our teacher student relationship has grown into something more than just paper and pen. Its grown to a level of trust and understanding. Hopefully with the remaining time I still have here in Brazil I will impact change and help alot of people. 

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.

Teaching In Brazil Part 2

                                                                     

It was time for a change. I left the school in Santa Teresa  Lingua, to start over fresh with a new prospective and  change of scenery. The school that I found was located in the heart of Copacabana. I worked for an institute called INEP. It was an old fashion school. Basically everything in there was antique. The desk, the white board, markers, floors, the walls, typically the whole infrastructure. The best part of working there though, I had more freedom and more choices of when and how I wanted to work. I constructed and drew up lessons plans according to the way I wanted, and needed to. When I first started working, I was working a  maximum of 15 hours a week. Basically part-time hours, but after three months, things started to pick up and I doubled my hours after three months of working there. I started working in INEP in the November of 2013. From the moment I started working there, the students and I had a great relationship. I instructed them on how to speak the English and they and shared with me their culture. When I first started teaching at INEP, I knew very little Portuguese language, which was a major challenge for me, given that many of the students were beginners.  After a few months, I started to improve my Portuguese somewhat. The students were becoming more comfortable with me. We were building a relationship not only in the classroom but out of the classroom as well. Once a week, two of my classes would agree upon a place to go, to expand our learning knowledge and take us out of our comfort zone. We would go to restaurants, cafe or nearby bars to have long discussions and conversation in English. I thought this would be a great way to loosen  them up, since some of them were afraid to speak in class. I thought it would be great for us to learn together, because I needed to improve my Portuguese.

       Teaching in Brazil has its rewards. Everyone is curious about  learning the  English language  and the people are very friendly and open to foreigners. Especially if you mention that your from big cities such as New York, Miami, California. Many of my students were intrigued with the American culture. The movies, films, lifestyle, clothes, politics you name it was the reason for this. The most students I would have in my class would be about 6 or 8. The ages vary. Many of my students I had were kids whose parents wanted them to learn English to brighten their futures, while the adults I had were learning English to  for a better paying job or a promotion. In my eight year of teachings I have come to realize I have a bond and a deep connection with kids. I enjoyed teaching adults as well. For me, the way you approach lessons for the kids and the adults is was the major factor. For one thing, kids absorb information quickly compared to adults. Kids learn better through visuals songs and multi -media devices.Maybe its the new age, but the tools available now makes teaching so much easier  and fun with the children Teaching adults is a bit different. You have to repeat things to them constantly to make sure the information sticks. With adults you have to have  more patience and you have to be able to explain things word for word so they could  absorb it slowly and then use  it. When I first arrived at the school, I had some doubts. After a few weeks those doubts were gone and I became very comfortable at the new school that I continue to teach until now.

        Teaching in Brazil has its moments as well. There are  times when its difficult to teach because some of  the students don't apply themselves as they should.  The constant tardiness of some was difficult for me to handle because I had to keep everyone happy which would eventually be disastrous because some would give up and drop the course. I sometimes felt guilty because I felt I was  letting them down, but at the same time, I knew learning English was a two way street.  I can tell  for some it wasn´t and they were waiting for me to magically zap the English language into their heads. I would constantly remind them that  learning a new language takes commit and time and  hours of practice and dedication. I would let them know how important it was to study at home and try surround themselves with things that would help them. Music, Television Programs, Films, Newspapers, Magazines, anything that would give them direct contact with English. The other thing was uncertainty.  Many of the students had jobs, but no set time, so for me many of them  they would come and leave after a few weeks. The uncertainty was the biggest challenge  In the Brazil, the everyday life is not as structured compared to the United States so anything could arise at any moment and you have to learn to deal with it as it comes. Anything could arise from changing of plans, organization of  time or change of meetings. The biggest thing for me was the monthly salary.Some months I would make enough to accumulate full-time hours and other times I felt like I was working part-time hours.All and all its been a great experience, but I knew for me I have to improve in some of my areas of teaching and I have to work harder to inspire them to want to learn English. Three of my classes have been with me from the very beginning. In my morning class, I have two students Roseli and Catherina. Roseli has had some experience living abroad.  She is intelligent has a super work ethic. She lived in Connecticut in the United States for quite  a while so she is no stranger when it comes to speaking English. Catherina has no experience at all with the English. She has grown up in Rio 
all of her life,so learning English for her is difficult, but with each passing day she continues to improve. What I like about her, she brings her eagerness and wiliness  of wanting to learn. Both of them are special in my eyes, because both of them have something special that the other needed. I enjoy our morning classes together, especially in the beginning of class, when I ask them if they are ready to go, before they go off into their woman talk. Theyare very delightful, pleasant, and funny. For this it makes teaching more rewarding and enjoyable.

Living In Brazi Part 1

 August 16, 2014. I couldn´t put  feelings into words.but at the exact moment, I  knew was about to embark  on a journey, I was going to remember for the rest of my life. I arrived mid morning with a positive outlook of completing the dream, I´ve had for the past 5 years now. I couldn't have picked a better time to come to Brazil than that moment. There was much going on. The World Cup, the preparation of the World Cup. The manifestation movement, and the movement for social changes. Many concerns were the prices of public transportation, the unhealthy public hospitals, the poor public school system.  The whole world´s attention was on Brazil and I thought it would be the perfect time to let the people know what was going on. . I lived in a small district called Santa Teresa. It was a small district surrounding by bars and restaurants,  supermarkets, local shops, and public transportation. The most amazing part of living in Santa Teresa is the park nearby known as Flamengo Park. There many locals  go to hang out with their friends and family, skateboard, ride their bikes, play soccer and exercises. For me, it was the perfect  spot with small roads where you can walk and encounter people and spark up a conversation. . There, the foreigners and locals go to drink beers, hang out on the streets, go to the clubs, and basically tear up the streets of Rio de Janiero. I lived about ten minutes away from there, so for me it was confidante.

When I  arrived in Brazil I lodged at a place called Bellas Artes Hostel. Drica is one of the owners of Bellas Artes Hostel. She made me feel very comfortable in her hostel. She showed me the area of Santa Teresa and made me feel apart of the Brazilian community. Another good friend I encountered was  Patricia Azevendo. She is also the co owner of Bellas Artes hostel. We became really good friends after sharing common interest in Reggae music. Miguel Barradas Daltro Santos has to be the most laid back, shauve and coolest person I ever met. We shared many good times together, smoking, drinking and watching films at the hostel. I really enjoyed his opinion about life. Bernard Alevares is my best friend in Brazil, whenever I need anything, or I get in a jam, you can count on him. I call him the president because everywhere we go, many people follow him. Bernard is the life of the party and his outlook on life is very carefree. Rodrigo Castro was another friend of mine I got to know over time. He is very caring and understanding person, who will give you the clothes of his back if you need it. I enjoy my time getting to know him. Pedro Luna Mansur has to be one of the best conversationalist I have ever came across. Not only is he a great baker, a magician in the kitchen when it comes baking a cake  but he has a great way of explaining both sides of an argument. He has a broad and open mind when it comes to cultures and understanding people. Veronica Vianna is the daughter  of Drica owner of Bellas Arts Hostel. She was the first person I encountered in Brazil. She found me when I didn't have a place to go, and for this I am forever grateful. She is also a very down to earth person who likes  to have fun and make others around her have a good time. I call her my Brazilian mom. Josquin Lauton is another great friend of mine. He is originally from France, but he has been staying in Brazil for three years now. I love this guy spirit. He inspires me so much with his words, sometimes when I am unsure of what to do, he is there to encourage me and tell me to just do it. At times, I feel like he  is my brother  in another lifetime, because of our outlook on life. Marcia Tannure is as crazy as they come, but I enjoy her crazy personality and her ability to not make things affect her. Last, but not least, Daniel  Medeiros, a really great person. One of the nicest, funniest, and professional persons I have ever encountered. As an artist, he has shown me that, art is very  important, but without marketing your art cant be recognized. I learn a great deal when it comes to his mannerism and his ability to control the  situation when things don't go well. I enjoy our times together, especially our green time. These people are my Brazilian Family and  I enjoyed every moment I had with them. I couldn't have made it in Brazil without any of them, but like anything in life, nothing is forever.They are my Bellas Artes Family.  I will miss them.

World Cup 2014 In Brazil

 

 World Cup 2014,will forever live in the minds of many. In the heart of one of the biggest cities in the world, I had a chance to live the dream of witnessing the greatest soccer nations in the world. The excitement atmosphere,  anticipation, the cheers, and , the sadness, the triumph, all these emotions rolled into one, and I couldn't had In vision it better than I did. Yeah, Brazil lost, but there was something more to the lost . It was about the feeling of pride, joy, love and what united this nation.

   For the past 3 weeks, taking the metro to work, visiting other cities, enjoying the night life, as the streets where swarmed with people and decorated with  green, yellow, and blue everywhere you turned. From infants to the elderly, everyone had their hats, wristbands, shirts, glasses, etc representing what it meant to be a Brazilian. During the days and nights the people were screaming and chanting Brazil! Brazil!  Brazil! Every bar, restaurants  in town, were packed and the beers were disappearing faster than you can say Beeleza, which is a Brazilian term for everything is Awesome or Great.

   The best memory of the world cup had to be the first game. On Copacabana beach with millions of people all over the world watching on the big screen. I managed to meet some people from Denmark and Australia and we made the best of  the time. I met an Australian named  Luci Orange. She is a very open person, down to earth, who likes to bug out with the best of them. I might have just known her for a short time, but moments like this will never be forgotten, because it was the thrill and excitement of  witnessing the greatest sports events in the world that made me two new friends from another part of the world. I also go to know her boyfriend  Karl Kaiser Schmidt. He had to be the most down to earth guy I ever met. Wild crazy, friendly and really fun to hangout with. My other good friend was Bernard Alevers, actually he´s my best friend here in Brazil. Since, I have arrived here in Brazil, he been very hospitably and a very good friend. Hes the type of friend that everyone should have. Dependable, Reliable, and very understanding person . He´s 22 years old, but for me he´s like a kid trapped in an adult body because he gets excitable over the littlest things. From girls, to parties, to adventures, you name it. He knows everyone and knows where everything is. I call him the president. Because he draws so much attention around himself. I couldn't have made it in Brazil without his guidance, and for this he will be my friend for life. The first game we saw on Copacabana beach in front of the big Screen TV. We smoked and drank and talked about all  our journeys, where we have been and where were  planning to go next. For me, that was the best  part of the world cup. Getting to know other people from other cultures and sharing  and opening up to one another. 

 The game that Brazil lost to Germany summed up what made me so curious about  visiting this great football nation.  In Brazil football,  to most its  like a religion and for most football is a way out of the Fa vela and out of the reality that surrounds them.  In Brazil life is very difficult. Many of the people are poor and treating unfairly by the government. The Medical health care is poor, the education system for the youth is on the way down,  The price of public transportation is rising. For most Brazilians, the World Cup is the only thing they have left, and look forward to because the government doesn't attend to any concerns they may have. The last Brazilian game summed it up all. When captain David Luiz said, I just wanted to give joy to my people who are suffering so much for so much, I wanted to apologize. Its been amazing journey for the past year in Brazil. I am looking forward to final game on Saturday against Holland. 



The last game of the cup was very difficult for me to watch, because lt was very difficult to not see Brazil in the final game of the World Cup.  In their house, where they have won five World Cups, It was sad to see the fans crying. Millions of people packed in the stadium to cheer on  their country, their nation, the pride of what unified this great football nation. It was short lived because the next game will summed up the disappointment. They lost 3-0 to Holland. It was a moment that will live in my mind, because It was the first time I ever went to a sporting event and  saw so much disappointment and hurt on many of faces of the people. .Even some of the adults couldn't contain themselves, Some cried openly, while some wipe the tears of their flustered faces. Many fans in the stadium while bawling as each point was like a dagger in the hearts of many. That was the last and final impression I got from the game. The last game of the cup was between  Argentina and Germany was a good and well fought game, but Germany showed the rest of the world, how football showed be played. The scored the the only and final points with three minutes to go in the game.  Argentina might have had the best player, with Lionel Messi  but Germany had the best team overall. Congrats to Germany.