Another day has come and gone, while I think back to what happened in only one day. It was such a hectic, fun, overwhelming, and interesting day. Why not start from the beginning? I met a new friend Daniella from the salon and visited her high school, but this was no ordinary day. It was their last day of class before summer vacation. There was a talent show to wrap up the year and they were all so excited a native English speaker from America was there to share it with. All the students were curious while Daniella and Daniel introduced me to each class. Then, at the beginning of the show in the gymnasium, the administrator of the school had everyone give me a warm welcome where I then stood up and said in my best Portuguese Bom dia, good morning.
It has been a real pleasure getting to know the people of Maravilha, who are so kind and friendly. I don´t think I have ever given so many hugs and kisses in three hours, let alone in one day. Every time a boy was google-eyed, Daniella would tell me, ´Very much teenagers´, and then laugh. After my visit, I went back to Elzira´s home to eat lunch, marrow, rice, black beans, lettuce, mandioca, and chuchu. With no time to waste, we then went back into the city to go to another school, only this one was private. Headway is its name. However, school was canceled to go to the movies. Instead, five of the teenagers took me out to ice cream. They love, absolutely love to eat sweet things, no question about that. In fact, Paula told me they, the kids, prefer to eat American like foods, fried and sweet. Once my new friends found out I cook, they immediately took me to the grocery store to buy ingredients for cookies. [I believe they think I only cook sweet things].
This was such a long, tiring day, so I´ll keep it short.
After the walking around the neighborhood, they brought me to Paula´s house to try new foods, see her home and dog, meet her family and then take pictures. What strikes me as funny is that they all think I´m 18, maybe 19! Wow, never has anyone thought so young of me. Perhaps it´s because my bust is not as big in comparison.
Once we took note of the time, we quickly scampered off to my massage appointment. It was just what I needed, alone time and relaxation.
Then back to Elzira´s home where her friend waited. He´s a pastor who is going to America to preach, so he wants to know if he could practice conversing in English. Tomorrow I will meet his wife for lunch, and afterwards, start planning a trip to Iguacu Falls. How exciting!!!
To finish off my evening, we ate fresh beef liver from the slaughter with onions! I cleansed my palate with fresh pomegranate from the tree only but 30 feet away from the house. Yummy.
...and today, going to the swimming pool with Paula.
[I also helped portion the remaining fresh beef cuts, got my yellow fever shot, and had fresh papaya.]
Tchau
What a day! It's interesting that they all think you're young - same thing happened to me and the people in my group in Russia. It might be your bust (!), it might be that you can't sound as intelligent as you are to them. I know I sounded significantly stupider in Russian.
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