1. Don’t flush the toilet if you only pee. Yes it sounds weird, but here, people are very conservative with their water, in more then one way….they also barely ever drink water…so it astounds them when they see my very large water bottle ☺
2. Many people are very focused on outward appearance. Everyone dresses up when they go out (even if that’s just to the super market to get some groceries). The sad part about it is if you don’t look a certain way, people will not respect you as much. However, I have seen in my school, that most everyone is very accepting of everyone else. So there is a little of both sides.
3. The boys here are very VERY forward…If they think your hot (or if you have revealing clothes on, which I see a lot of…) they will yell at you from across the street. Everyone is also very touchy-feely. There is a boy in my class who is a great example. He goes around and put his arm around girls and holds their hands and kisses them on the cheek numerous times. And this is the normal, “just showing you that I’m your friend”, kind of actions. Not all the boys are like this, but most everyone is very touchy. If you talking with someone they will probably put their hand on your leg or shoulder or get very close to your face. Its is very different. They have NO concept of personal space or PDA. Its quite the opposite. They are uncomfortable when no one is touching them.
4. Most of the people can actually dance here! I went to my friends birthday party at a bar (very different then American bars) and we were dancing Samba all night long! Ah it was so much fun. I love the dancing here. It takes actual talent. Its not just a bunch of people grinding on each other.
5. Everyone drives like crazy here! And the streets are steep and narrow and no one stops at stop sings or stays in their lane. Also, you’ll be driving down a two way street at all the sudden it will turn into a one way street. You better be paying attention…
These things, along with many others, are starting to make me feel very out of place here. I love Brasil and I am having a great time, but sometimes it is hard because everything is so different. (and I cannot speak Portuguese….and it seams like I never will…). I still haven’t found a church to be a part of, and I am craving that so bad right now. I could definitely use prayer in that area and also in just being to learn Portuguese fast. It’s a very hard language and also it is frustrating because not know the language limits me a lot with what I can do here.
Tchau
-Hope
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2 comments:
Hope,
It was fun to read your blog and find out how things are going for you. We will certainly be upholding you in prayer to find a church. Hope you are continuing to have a good first week at school.
Love,
Sarah (Mrs. Payne)
Dear HOpe,
Please cheer up over there!! Think of Paul in the dungeon--he had NO water and peed in a hole in the ground!! He would have given anything to have the touch of another person!! We are too far away from touching here in America!! As for the language thing--try Tongues!! (Just kidding) Anyway, your Aunt Janie is doing fine and told me about your blogspot, so I will try to write you....but remember, I am Unique and say Unique things that may be---well--out there. I mean well!! Will be praying for you, and if a library is near there, get Rosetta Stone for Portugeese and try it. (maybe you can check it out)....Loving your family, in the Lord, Cheryl Rogers
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