With the end of our class and our near departure, I would surely miss the island of Florianopolis.
The last class provided insightful coverage of the internet and even a brief discussion of the emerging I/phone. It was sad to realize this was ending as we sat in that circle for that last time. Luckily, the professor put a positive spin on the negative connotation of our next destination: Rio de Janeiro. Most of the group will spend 3 days and four nights there in which we will roam the city visiting famous places such as Copacobana Beach and the Christ the Redeemer statue.
As we finished our essays and packed for the rest of the day, it felt strange to leave a place you had called home for three weeks. The relationships with local friends will continue as far as the internet goes and the beautiful scenery of the exquisite island will be no better than a photograph. But the stay in Brazil was well worth it and the experiences lived without comparison. Even if I never come back to the island of Florianopolis I enjoyed everyday I spent here and every entry in which I wrote about
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Reminisce the Present -June 28, 2007
Sometimes you have to remember, the most important history is the history you’re making today. Okay well I heard it in a television show, but it’s true nonetheless. That night we had a great night just spending time together as a group.
Being the last night before our last class we had accumulating homework to finish. That day I presented my technical chapter of global technologies and organizations. Getting past the informational jargon, I managed to present an adequate presentation of the International Telecommunications Unions and its global impact.
After doing some homework during the day and starting on my paper at night, I was happy to go out at night. Most of us started by going out the El Mexicano restaurant were we eat Mexican food. Four other group members would join us later. A local friend had said that you could only get Mexican food in three places on the island, El Mexicano being one. The whole mood was well lifted upon receiving our food. Finally we had spice in our diets and surely a lot of us had dearly missed eating tacos. In my case, I ordered flavorful nachos with meat and appetizing toppings. As we relaxed on an old-fashioned table in front of a two man band, I started reminiscing the present- if it’s possible. It was probably the last time we would hang out like this, and everyone was having a great time! The song of “Guantanamera” and familiar salsa songs set the mood that made me feel like I was living the past; as if the present was a vision of something that had already happened.
Afterward, we met up with the other people from our group. They were driven there by our good friend Laura who Ally had met in a local mall. Laura helped us get into an exciting night club. Again, it was like a nice 21 and over night club that I wouldn’t know of, and it had comfortable couches to lounge casually. The place was a good club to dance plus, the attractive DJ played continuously energetic music.
As a whole, it was one of our last nights as a group and we were all having a good time. In essence, I suppose that to have a great time while with a group it’s ideal for every member of the group to have fun as well- at least that’s what I think personally. Well, that night it seemed like every person had fun hanging out together, and quite frankly I did too.
Being the last night before our last class we had accumulating homework to finish. That day I presented my technical chapter of global technologies and organizations. Getting past the informational jargon, I managed to present an adequate presentation of the International Telecommunications Unions and its global impact.
After doing some homework during the day and starting on my paper at night, I was happy to go out at night. Most of us started by going out the El Mexicano restaurant were we eat Mexican food. Four other group members would join us later. A local friend had said that you could only get Mexican food in three places on the island, El Mexicano being one. The whole mood was well lifted upon receiving our food. Finally we had spice in our diets and surely a lot of us had dearly missed eating tacos. In my case, I ordered flavorful nachos with meat and appetizing toppings. As we relaxed on an old-fashioned table in front of a two man band, I started reminiscing the present- if it’s possible. It was probably the last time we would hang out like this, and everyone was having a great time! The song of “Guantanamera” and familiar salsa songs set the mood that made me feel like I was living the past; as if the present was a vision of something that had already happened.
Afterward, we met up with the other people from our group. They were driven there by our good friend Laura who Ally had met in a local mall. Laura helped us get into an exciting night club. Again, it was like a nice 21 and over night club that I wouldn’t know of, and it had comfortable couches to lounge casually. The place was a good club to dance plus, the attractive DJ played continuously energetic music.
As a whole, it was one of our last nights as a group and we were all having a good time. In essence, I suppose that to have a great time while with a group it’s ideal for every member of the group to have fun as well- at least that’s what I think personally. Well, that night it seemed like every person had fun hanging out together, and quite frankly I did too.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Brazilian Barbecue -June 27, 2007
Wednesday night I probably tried more new foods than in any other sitting.
That night we enjoyed a Churrascaria which is much like a Brazilian barbecue in which you eat and eat until you can’t eat any more! The elegant restaurant we ate at was called Altibia and was very welcoming as thirteen Americans and two other invited guests attended the feast.
The restaurant featured a side dish buffet and fancy waiters who brought out food to individual tables. As you ate, waiters continuously came out with sword like knifes which had roasted meat stabbed down the middle of them. As they passed by waiters would ask if you wanted what they had, and if you did they would carve out a piece with a smaller knife and fork to put it in your plate. Thus, they passed with delicious meats at often intervals so that by the time I was done with my side dishes, I had a plate full of weird meats. Who knows what I ate that night, even if I asked the waiters what the meat was, they only knew the name in Portuguese. Aside from all the meat, I had two favorite dishes that people brought out. One was the delicious slices of grilled pineapple flavored with some cinnamon coating, and two was the luscious grilled banana coated with sweet who know what. One last shot of flavor was a mousse injected with passion fruit flavor. It wasn’t that great, but the flavor really felt like a fiesta in your mouth. The food that night was great, and the deserts just made it better.
One thing missing from the food was spice. Apparently, Brazilian cuisine does not carry much spice. I’m not sure if their food would taste better with sauces of soy or red peppers, but it surely does not have them. Thinking about it foods around the world seem to carry a good amount of spice whereas local Brazilian food does not. Regardless, Wednesday I tasted a copious amount of food that I will surely miss back at home.
That night we enjoyed a Churrascaria which is much like a Brazilian barbecue in which you eat and eat until you can’t eat any more! The elegant restaurant we ate at was called Altibia and was very welcoming as thirteen Americans and two other invited guests attended the feast.
The restaurant featured a side dish buffet and fancy waiters who brought out food to individual tables. As you ate, waiters continuously came out with sword like knifes which had roasted meat stabbed down the middle of them. As they passed by waiters would ask if you wanted what they had, and if you did they would carve out a piece with a smaller knife and fork to put it in your plate. Thus, they passed with delicious meats at often intervals so that by the time I was done with my side dishes, I had a plate full of weird meats. Who knows what I ate that night, even if I asked the waiters what the meat was, they only knew the name in Portuguese. Aside from all the meat, I had two favorite dishes that people brought out. One was the delicious slices of grilled pineapple flavored with some cinnamon coating, and two was the luscious grilled banana coated with sweet who know what. One last shot of flavor was a mousse injected with passion fruit flavor. It wasn’t that great, but the flavor really felt like a fiesta in your mouth. The food that night was great, and the deserts just made it better.
One thing missing from the food was spice. Apparently, Brazilian cuisine does not carry much spice. I’m not sure if their food would taste better with sauces of soy or red peppers, but it surely does not have them. Thinking about it foods around the world seem to carry a good amount of spice whereas local Brazilian food does not. Regardless, Wednesday I tasted a copious amount of food that I will surely miss back at home.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
News Story -June 26, 2007
Why Go to the US?
Brazilian students have definite reasons for wanting to travel to the US. On a local island, called Florianopolis and located in Southern Brazil, I recently interviewed three students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Simply by asking specific questions I got a general feeling why Brazilian students may want to visit or study at the US.
"Going from Greek to Rome was as a great improvement," mentioned Heitor Cardoso, a journalist major who has visited the US and hopes to study next Spring semester at our school, "...it was like going to the center of the world." Heitor started with this remark as he attempted to explain why he would want to go to the US.
On the topic of "why the US" Heitor made it clear that the US was dominant in many aspects of the world. "Our famous musician Roberto Carlos is merely a Brazilian Frank Sinatra," he says to exemplify how other cultures might never be as important as the dominant cultures. Maria Casagrande, a business student at the federal university, visited the US for experience and the favorable economy. "I wanted to experience life on my own, learn culture, and make money," she mentions as she describes her recent experience at the US.
Maria now works at a World Study program and is convinced that going to the US helped her on a professional level. "I worked three jobs," she says "McDonalds, Subway, and a seafood restaurant barely giving me time to sleep and eat." While she enjoyed her busy stay others would rather not work in the US. "I visited New York and would love to live there," mentioned Fernanda Dutra a journalist major who considers living in the US, "(but) working there would just ruin my career goals." While she speaks good English, Fernanda knows she wouldn't make it as a journalist in the US and has no intention to change her career.
While discussing the lifestyle of the US Heitor mentioned "a friend who has only lived a year in Florida now has a room, car, and insurance- something like that is respected around here." He too would like to make money in the US but hopes he would not stoop to an underpaid or degrading job. He also sees the lifestyle as an array of better opportunities. "Consumption," he says "in the US is a habit, here its not, it's a privilege." Fernanda, on the other hand, made a very good point by mentioning that she is not "blinded by immediate feelings of a new purchasing power and higher monetary compensation." She feels that such purchasing power is not necessary to live a good life and in that respect does not see the US as necessarily dominant.
Lastly, we spoke of personal development while traveling or studying to the US. Marina Casagrande recounts that English development was a big factor in traveling to the US- "I had already learned it, I wanted to put it to use." She had never lived alone or worked for money and she sought the US as the best place to do so. Fernanda sees the US as a place for "personal development, yes, but you don't just get that in the US." While she learned a lot in her experience and hopes to go back, Fernanda realizes that the US is not the only place to truly develop. As I asked Heitor about what he wanted to achieve as a person and where he wanted to reach in life he responds "Life isn't necessarily a progressive movement... it's the moment your in that's most important." Indeed I found myself siding with him as he added that possibly the rest of your life has mounted up until the stage the you're in now. In essence, Heitor states that traveling to the US will help him develop personally but realizes that he does not have to wait for life's stages to do so.
Brazilian students like the US for its experience, economy, lifestyle, professional and personal developments. They want to learn and experience even further by traveling once more or studying at our dominant country. --end of article
[Yet that day, I grew as much as the summer i turned 13, except this time it was as a person. Those Brazilian students are in many ways better than other students I have met back at home but have compelling reasons for traveling to the US.]
Preparing for the Last Week -June 25, 2007
This being the last week, I could really feel the trip ending.
The first week was fun, lengthy and adventurous. The second went by rather fast and only had a good weekend. For my stay at Brazil I wanted to enjoy from personal development, a foreign adventure full experience, and a small social network of local friends. I was not necessarily there yet and if I wanted to get more of an experience I felt like I should stop trying to do everything with an English speaking group of twelve. I definitely enjoyed spending time with them, but in Brazil there are surely many more experiences to be found.
Monday I didn’t do much at all since I had to catch up with sleep from the night before and stay in during the night to catch up with homework. That night, I got to visit an internet café for the first time and was surprised to see expensive webcams and earphones connected to each one. The computers were very useful and the girl in charge was an affable person who later became a good friend.In class, we discussed the media in the middle E. and Africa region of the world. I found there are many things to learn from other countries and just because we are one of the core nations of the world, does not mean we shouldn’t learn about other developing nations. The prestigious local university, for example, has lunch breaks when classes are suspended and students pay no tuition to attend, we could surely learn from that!
The first week was fun, lengthy and adventurous. The second went by rather fast and only had a good weekend. For my stay at Brazil I wanted to enjoy from personal development, a foreign adventure full experience, and a small social network of local friends. I was not necessarily there yet and if I wanted to get more of an experience I felt like I should stop trying to do everything with an English speaking group of twelve. I definitely enjoyed spending time with them, but in Brazil there are surely many more experiences to be found.
Monday I didn’t do much at all since I had to catch up with sleep from the night before and stay in during the night to catch up with homework. That night, I got to visit an internet café for the first time and was surprised to see expensive webcams and earphones connected to each one. The computers were very useful and the girl in charge was an affable person who later became a good friend.In class, we discussed the media in the middle E. and Africa region of the world. I found there are many things to learn from other countries and just because we are one of the core nations of the world, does not mean we shouldn’t learn about other developing nations. The prestigious local university, for example, has lunch breaks when classes are suspended and students pay no tuition to attend, we could surely learn from that!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Experiencing Brazil -June 23 & 24, 2007
Saturday morning we took a scenic trip on a boat that coasted the surrounding island.
After going out late the night before, I was surprised how the whole dozen woke up on time to catch our appointment with the early boat ride. Luckily no one was really hung over, as if the boat ride and ocean freshness overcame oncoming feelings of sickness. The trip lasted most of the day as we covered three islands: two with fortresses and one with nothing much but a restaurant.
The two fortresses provided Portuguese history and beautiful pictures. They were built with the help of slaves around the 1700’s to protect against foreigners. We had about half an hour to explore each. The random island had a restaurant and a couple of scattered houses. I’d say that whole small island had no more than a population of 60. As I left the restaurant and even saw a girl selling tourist souvenirs, I wondered how it would be like to live your life in such a small island. Even though our tourist ship might come in everyday someone born there might not have the resources to leave the island and make a living. Relate it to a trapped bird inside a cage. As a spectator it’s nice to appreciate the island and its people, but someone inside its isolation might not appreciate it so.
Later that night I and another three went to a party at the local university. Literally, it was at the university right outside the communications department were students had music, drinks and food. Around Florianopolis, drinking alcohol isn’t as restricted (perhaps because people don’t binge drink as much) and the drinking age is merely eighteen. The party was hosted by the journalism department and most of the students that I met surprisingly spoke good English. In fact, many of them had already visited the US or had studied English since they were children. With the advantage of making new friends, many students were delighted to practice their English and keep me company as the party kept going.
Sunday morning I took my time to find a descent place to eat, and walked around to see if I found a church. Numerous businesses are closed on Sundays so finding food was no easy task. Finding a church was only a matter of asking local people but when I did find one, it was closed. Being Sunday I thought I could at least walk into the church, but all the doors were locked and no mass was in session. Across the street, I found a small complex of stores, which were all closed, and an upper level with a food court, which was mostly open. I enjoyed a calabresa pasta and went on back to the hotel for our next planned event.
That afternoon the group visited the mall and watched Oceans Thirteen, a recently released movie. The highlight of the movie was probably the freshly popped caramel corn that I and a friend bought. Later that night we went out like locals do, getting to the night club around 12. I enjoyed the music and the strobe lights that lasted most of the night. The atmosphere was energetic and concentrated with people, the club reminded me of that 21 & over club that I’ve never been to. My friends were mostly drunk, and I the younger one helped get them back home.
After going out late the night before, I was surprised how the whole dozen woke up on time to catch our appointment with the early boat ride. Luckily no one was really hung over, as if the boat ride and ocean freshness overcame oncoming feelings of sickness. The trip lasted most of the day as we covered three islands: two with fortresses and one with nothing much but a restaurant.
The two fortresses provided Portuguese history and beautiful pictures. They were built with the help of slaves around the 1700’s to protect against foreigners. We had about half an hour to explore each. The random island had a restaurant and a couple of scattered houses. I’d say that whole small island had no more than a population of 60. As I left the restaurant and even saw a girl selling tourist souvenirs, I wondered how it would be like to live your life in such a small island. Even though our tourist ship might come in everyday someone born there might not have the resources to leave the island and make a living. Relate it to a trapped bird inside a cage. As a spectator it’s nice to appreciate the island and its people, but someone inside its isolation might not appreciate it so.
Later that night I and another three went to a party at the local university. Literally, it was at the university right outside the communications department were students had music, drinks and food. Around Florianopolis, drinking alcohol isn’t as restricted (perhaps because people don’t binge drink as much) and the drinking age is merely eighteen. The party was hosted by the journalism department and most of the students that I met surprisingly spoke good English. In fact, many of them had already visited the US or had studied English since they were children. With the advantage of making new friends, many students were delighted to practice their English and keep me company as the party kept going.
Sunday morning I took my time to find a descent place to eat, and walked around to see if I found a church. Numerous businesses are closed on Sundays so finding food was no easy task. Finding a church was only a matter of asking local people but when I did find one, it was closed. Being Sunday I thought I could at least walk into the church, but all the doors were locked and no mass was in session. Across the street, I found a small complex of stores, which were all closed, and an upper level with a food court, which was mostly open. I enjoyed a calabresa pasta and went on back to the hotel for our next planned event.
That afternoon the group visited the mall and watched Oceans Thirteen, a recently released movie. The highlight of the movie was probably the freshly popped caramel corn that I and a friend bought. Later that night we went out like locals do, getting to the night club around 12. I enjoyed the music and the strobe lights that lasted most of the night. The atmosphere was energetic and concentrated with people, the club reminded me of that 21 & over club that I’ve never been to. My friends were mostly drunk, and I the younger one helped get them back home.
Friday, June 22, 2007
The Great Sand Dunes -June 22, 2007
Friday was one of the best days thus far!
The second week overall had passed by too fast and I didn’t feel like I had done much to enjoy Brazil. After class on Friday most of us felt great- we had just finished a midterm and gotten good sleep the night before. Without much delay, all twelve of us decided to change into something comfortable and check out the sand dunes by the Joaquina Beach.
We left the hotel around noon, got a bite to eat and regrouped at a bus terminal an hour later. The climate was somewhat cold with soft breezes of wind and little direct sunlight, but waiting at the bus stop for 30 minutes was irritable. Right when most people were ready to give up the bus and go find a cab, team leader Matthew decided to take the next bus we saw. It was a risky move, but it got us moving and apparently in the right direction. After we got off in a random street, we knew which bus to take, the 330 which would head us into the Lagoa Terminal. With the help of twelve outspoken Americans and a random stranger we were able to catch the next bus and board it to our next destination. From the Lagoa Terminal we caught a third bus that took us to the popular beach. It was 3:30PM and we were finally at our final destination.
Facing the large sand dunes we easily saw the place were locals rented sand boards. After an awkward introduction (since none of us know good Portuguese), we all rented boards for only five dollars. As we took off with our waxed board we climbed a small hill that took you to the highest position around- it was a great sight. Imagine large piles of granulated sand, completely dry but soft sand that forms valleys and hills of steep and gradual slopes. And when the wind blew, it was much like an old western movie scene but without the thorn bush. A 7 inch layer of sand off the top of the hills would hover over the sand without altering the shape of the dunes. Plus, atop that centered hill you saw the green forested wetlands down below, a town of numbered houses in the right distance, and an overview of the beautiful Beach coasting along the left horizon.
First, I started by going down the small bunny slope of sand by a nearby hill. I had put too much confidence in the fact that I knew how to skate, because skating down the sand was not the same! Right away, my friend Cristina proved to be better than me. Well, it was everyone’s first time so we all felt comfortable facing our first horrible attempts of sand boarding. When I finally got the confidence to launch down the steeper sand slope, I went halfway down to catch speed and fall right on my face! I got up almost immediately and happily found out that it didn’t hurt. Except the sand all over my face, nose and ears I was happy that the falls weren’t so bad, and pursued down the hills with new found courage.
The hardest part being walking up the hills, I couldn’t wait to launch myself down them over and over again. Even as everyone left, I went down two final hills without falling and stopping but felt exceptionally tired while making the last climb.
As I left, I really wished we had something similar back at home. A professional boarder who we hardly spoke to just mentioned he knew we had them in Nevada. I wouldn’t know if there are sand dunes like those back at home, but if anything felt grateful that I found them all the way in Brazil.
The second week overall had passed by too fast and I didn’t feel like I had done much to enjoy Brazil. After class on Friday most of us felt great- we had just finished a midterm and gotten good sleep the night before. Without much delay, all twelve of us decided to change into something comfortable and check out the sand dunes by the Joaquina Beach.
We left the hotel around noon, got a bite to eat and regrouped at a bus terminal an hour later. The climate was somewhat cold with soft breezes of wind and little direct sunlight, but waiting at the bus stop for 30 minutes was irritable. Right when most people were ready to give up the bus and go find a cab, team leader Matthew decided to take the next bus we saw. It was a risky move, but it got us moving and apparently in the right direction. After we got off in a random street, we knew which bus to take, the 330 which would head us into the Lagoa Terminal. With the help of twelve outspoken Americans and a random stranger we were able to catch the next bus and board it to our next destination. From the Lagoa Terminal we caught a third bus that took us to the popular beach. It was 3:30PM and we were finally at our final destination.
Facing the large sand dunes we easily saw the place were locals rented sand boards. After an awkward introduction (since none of us know good Portuguese), we all rented boards for only five dollars. As we took off with our waxed board we climbed a small hill that took you to the highest position around- it was a great sight. Imagine large piles of granulated sand, completely dry but soft sand that forms valleys and hills of steep and gradual slopes. And when the wind blew, it was much like an old western movie scene but without the thorn bush. A 7 inch layer of sand off the top of the hills would hover over the sand without altering the shape of the dunes. Plus, atop that centered hill you saw the green forested wetlands down below, a town of numbered houses in the right distance, and an overview of the beautiful Beach coasting along the left horizon.
First, I started by going down the small bunny slope of sand by a nearby hill. I had put too much confidence in the fact that I knew how to skate, because skating down the sand was not the same! Right away, my friend Cristina proved to be better than me. Well, it was everyone’s first time so we all felt comfortable facing our first horrible attempts of sand boarding. When I finally got the confidence to launch down the steeper sand slope, I went halfway down to catch speed and fall right on my face! I got up almost immediately and happily found out that it didn’t hurt. Except the sand all over my face, nose and ears I was happy that the falls weren’t so bad, and pursued down the hills with new found courage.
The hardest part being walking up the hills, I couldn’t wait to launch myself down them over and over again. Even as everyone left, I went down two final hills without falling and stopping but felt exceptionally tired while making the last climb.
As I left, I really wished we had something similar back at home. A professional boarder who we hardly spoke to just mentioned he knew we had them in Nevada. I wouldn’t know if there are sand dunes like those back at home, but if anything felt grateful that I found them all the way in Brazil.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Waking Up -June 21, 2007
So I start the day by waking up believe it or not, and I get this feeling that by now I've gotten more than once. Recently dormant to dreams of friends, family and home I wake up to a completely different setting. Now on a strange bed my brain first captures the image of a tall brick wall that encircles some apartments through the open curtains of a double door size window. As the sunlight wakes my mind I then see the rest of a strange room filled with two other guys! Immediately, I remember I'm in Brazil and that its time to get up and catch some breakfast. I wake up at about 8:45 to dress, eat and be in class at 9:30. As I get up slowly, my roommate wakes up at the same time and is always out first. After breakfast, which is a buffet of sweet bread, toast, sandwiches, cereal, coffee, and fruits, I try to hitch a ride with the professor or make the ten minute walk to campus. While we're at school the maids usually do our room- they must have gotten used to the times we're gone.
That day after class we met up to go to another news station. This time the news station would feature print articles such as local newspapers and magazines. An interesting part of the trip though was that it was on the mainland, meaning for the first time we would be going out of the island. It was interesting to cross the bridge that connects the island of Florianopolis to the mainland. Out of the island you didn't get the hills with houses or the coast of hotels, but you still got a good look at the water. In fact, the main road was located next to the ocean and the building we visited was just across the street. In this news station the building architecture was shaped like a spiral in the center, while the rooms out on the edge were slowly leveled out. Truthfully, it was a bit tiring making the upward climb and the tour wasn't as exciting as the day before but it was worth it to go nonetheless. We saw the popular state newspaper, Diario Catarinense, and other print/web services they provided.
As we reached the end of the tour, we went out a final door that lead to the smoking patio. I could only imagine the great relaxation of going up to such nice scenery whenever things got stressing- it would probably make me want to take up smoking. At view, you could see the vast ocean to the left and the populous city on the right.
That night we all ended up staying to study for the upcoming midterm. I spent over two hours just reading at a random place at the university since the library seemed closed. I later found out it was on strike and that there are few places to study on campus. Being there, I got to study not only my material but also the people who walked by and the strange faces they gave me when they noticed I was staring. On the whole, I got to feel like a local student who was simply studying at a state university somewhere down South in a country called Brazil.
That day after class we met up to go to another news station. This time the news station would feature print articles such as local newspapers and magazines. An interesting part of the trip though was that it was on the mainland, meaning for the first time we would be going out of the island. It was interesting to cross the bridge that connects the island of Florianopolis to the mainland. Out of the island you didn't get the hills with houses or the coast of hotels, but you still got a good look at the water. In fact, the main road was located next to the ocean and the building we visited was just across the street. In this news station the building architecture was shaped like a spiral in the center, while the rooms out on the edge were slowly leveled out. Truthfully, it was a bit tiring making the upward climb and the tour wasn't as exciting as the day before but it was worth it to go nonetheless. We saw the popular state newspaper, Diario Catarinense, and other print/web services they provided.
As we reached the end of the tour, we went out a final door that lead to the smoking patio. I could only imagine the great relaxation of going up to such nice scenery whenever things got stressing- it would probably make me want to take up smoking. At view, you could see the vast ocean to the left and the populous city on the right.
That night we all ended up staying to study for the upcoming midterm. I spent over two hours just reading at a random place at the university since the library seemed closed. I later found out it was on strike and that there are few places to study on campus. Being there, I got to study not only my material but also the people who walked by and the strange faces they gave me when they noticed I was staring. On the whole, I got to feel like a local student who was simply studying at a state university somewhere down South in a country called Brazil.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
News station visit -June 20, 2007
The highlight of this day was visiting a scenic newsroom station.
The beginning of the day went as most days do: wake up - dress - breakfast - class. After class ended we had time until our 2PM appointment with the professor. While waiting for two, I and a friend walked over to a vegetarian restaurant almost 15 minutes away. The restaurant features a well prepared buffet and a waiter who brings you your drink. The food is so good... it makes me want to be a vegetarian! To describe the food is hard, but there's definitely flavor in those vegetables, it's not just lettuce. There's rolls of who knows what, breaded jelly, Chinese style noodles, weird but good lasagna, breaded pastries and of course a variety of diced fruit. It's also rather cheap, a little over four dollars for the plate and drink.
For the newsroom visit we went up to the very top of a hill were the news is broadcasted with ease. The view was breathtaking and as many of us posed for a photo it served as an ideal description of our trip- journalist students on their way to a news station by a small but mesmeric look of the world.
The tour was interesting as an English speaking Brazilian employee took us through the many assets of a popular news station. We got to see a professional recording studio, an elaborate newsroom with numerous television sets on the walls (all in different channels), two radio stations, and two to three rooms through which they broadcast news shows.
After the detailed tour, most of the group made their way to a popular mall by the sea side. It's one of nicest malls in the island people say. It's a complex building with seven floors- three for shopping, one of administration and three for parking. It was unusual in the fact that the top three floors were reserved for parking! While it is common for our buildings to have lower level parking floors, it seems common for them to have parking toward the top of the building. So there we went, shopping and wine tasting on the lower level floor with tons and tons of weight positioned six floors above us.
The beginning of the day went as most days do: wake up - dress - breakfast - class. After class ended we had time until our 2PM appointment with the professor. While waiting for two, I and a friend walked over to a vegetarian restaurant almost 15 minutes away. The restaurant features a well prepared buffet and a waiter who brings you your drink. The food is so good... it makes me want to be a vegetarian! To describe the food is hard, but there's definitely flavor in those vegetables, it's not just lettuce. There's rolls of who knows what, breaded jelly, Chinese style noodles, weird but good lasagna, breaded pastries and of course a variety of diced fruit. It's also rather cheap, a little over four dollars for the plate and drink.
For the newsroom visit we went up to the very top of a hill were the news is broadcasted with ease. The view was breathtaking and as many of us posed for a photo it served as an ideal description of our trip- journalist students on their way to a news station by a small but mesmeric look of the world.
The tour was interesting as an English speaking Brazilian employee took us through the many assets of a popular news station. We got to see a professional recording studio, an elaborate newsroom with numerous television sets on the walls (all in different channels), two radio stations, and two to three rooms through which they broadcast news shows.
After the detailed tour, most of the group made their way to a popular mall by the sea side. It's one of nicest malls in the island people say. It's a complex building with seven floors- three for shopping, one of administration and three for parking. It was unusual in the fact that the top three floors were reserved for parking! While it is common for our buildings to have lower level parking floors, it seems common for them to have parking toward the top of the building. So there we went, shopping and wine tasting on the lower level floor with tons and tons of weight positioned six floors above us.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Cultural Imperialism -June 19, 2007
Cultural Imperialism is well described by the practice of promoting, distinguishing, separating, or artificially injecting the culture or language of one nation into another. One nation which tends to be powerful pushes its culture into the latter which tends to be less affluent. Cultural globalization is similar through its process of domination in which the West draws all cultures into its boundary.
One reason to assimilate those two terms lies in the omnipresence of Western cultural goods. By west, the definition means west of the world such as America or Western Europe. There is a lot of evidence that Western cultural tastes and practices are becoming global ones, such as clothes, food, music, film and television. Cultural globalization can be seen as the 'Americanization' of the world.
Indeed in trip at Brazil I have seen examples of cultural imperialism. Take the shopping malls around Florianopolis for example. They are as large and elegant as most of the malls I know in California. To my great disappointment, they sell an abundant amount of American products ranging from clothes to bags to shoes. What's more, they are all more expensive than if I was to shop for them back at home. Stores pay to have American products shipped to Brazil and then sell them for high prices. American products that are rarely made in America. It's just the brand that sells and the fact that locals pay to purchase these overpriced products exemplifies cultural imperialism.
Through many outlets, American culture been pressed onto the local culture of this popular island. People are taught to think these brands are the best and as I personally saw, have few options to buy others. Our culture is being pushed upon people who shop in the malls and locals are embracing it.
One reason to assimilate those two terms lies in the omnipresence of Western cultural goods. By west, the definition means west of the world such as America or Western Europe. There is a lot of evidence that Western cultural tastes and practices are becoming global ones, such as clothes, food, music, film and television. Cultural globalization can be seen as the 'Americanization' of the world.
Indeed in trip at Brazil I have seen examples of cultural imperialism. Take the shopping malls around Florianopolis for example. They are as large and elegant as most of the malls I know in California. To my great disappointment, they sell an abundant amount of American products ranging from clothes to bags to shoes. What's more, they are all more expensive than if I was to shop for them back at home. Stores pay to have American products shipped to Brazil and then sell them for high prices. American products that are rarely made in America. It's just the brand that sells and the fact that locals pay to purchase these overpriced products exemplifies cultural imperialism.
Through many outlets, American culture been pressed onto the local culture of this popular island. People are taught to think these brands are the best and as I personally saw, have few options to buy others. Our culture is being pushed upon people who shop in the malls and locals are embracing it.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Atlantic Beach- June 18, 2007
Finally we visited a beach around here!
So class was at 9:30 AM like usual and today we talked about CNN. It was interesting to find out about all the influence that newscast service has. It has its CNN effect which forces the federal government to act and has the power of making news important, or negligible. The twelve of us take the class together with no other students and the only hassle is having to move to a different class during class time. Later that day at 2PM we all rounded up by the front desk of the hotel to visit local beaches. It was a cloudy day with no cold waves of wind, but no rays of sun either. First, we went to a beach called Joaquina. As we got there we saw these tall large sand dunes and some people renting boards- we were definitely gonna have to come back. Past the sand dunes we parked in a nearby parking lot and walked over to a small store. Well not a store, you know one of those set ups that come out of a truck with thin blankets as walls and poles as corners/foundations, yea one of those. It had attractive tourist gifts which featured the beach or city name along with a nice design.
Walking past the store I followed the sound of the ocean and that breeze of water that makes you feel alive. Not far up ahead there it was, the mesmeric Atlantic Ocean as I saw it for the first time. The water rode in clear waves of some color between blue and green, and the sand was a vast space of land, empty but covered with footprints. The vast sea was empty because aside from it being a cold day it was winter and few people go to the beach during winter. After seeing the water I made my way into a small tourist store (yes an indoor store this time) and I finally bought some souvenirs for my people back at home.
The next beach we visited was not very far away and seemed like a nicer beach to go for a swim seeing as how it was more secluded and made you walk about 300m from nearby parking. The set of wooden stairs leading down to the beach was as far as any of us went and were home to the numerous pictures we took. As I left I couldn't help but seeing the one statue they had, a man of athletic build holding a surfboard positioned 10 feet above the ground, as if it was their king. Happy I had seen some great beaches and content I had finally bought people gifts, I called it a day.
Surfing around this island seems like a big thing. The surf shops are rather expensive and there are many surf oriented businesses on the way to the beach. I heard they hold national surf competitions on the island for its beautiful beaches and good waves. I'm glad we came to this place in Brazil, its a great island.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Different Traditions- June 16 & 17, 2007
It was our first weekend to enjoy and us Americanos didn't know what to do. The night before a friend, Matt, had yelled "Estupidos Americanos" after the second group had taken the wrong bus back home. That stuck.
I didn't do much Saturday morning except pick up my laundry. Instead of washing your own clothes and feeding coins to machines, it seems custom to leave your clothes at the laundromat where others wash your clothes for you. Saturday I picked up a load full that I had left two days ago and received it in a bag with my clean clothes folded and sorted within.
At about 4:30PM Hector, a friend from the local university came to show us around the city and seeing as how he couldn't fit 12 people in his car, we all took the bus. After trying to discuss where we should go, Hector finally decided to take us to a friends house that lives close to the popular lake. So we trusted him as we walked three blocks after the bus stop in unknown territory to get to some guys house. This guy lived in a cozy cabin looking house with another student and around other students with similar housing. Since we were all hungry we decided to walk down to a well known pizza restaurant which surprisingly opened at 7PM. Many businesses open late around that area since the nightlife really attracts customers, but it seemed unorthodox for us to have a nice restaurant open so late. Even more uncustomary was the night out that followed.
Okay, so it might not be completely representative but that night we had a Brazilian night out. First, you stop by a local market and buy affordable drinks, which we did. Then, we went back to the guy's house with the people who wanted to keep the night going and just relaxed until it was time to go out. See, around here people go out until about 12AM so surely we waited at the guys house for four hours! It wasn't that bad except I wasn't drinking like most of the others and this American wasn't used to going out that late, so he got sleepy by the time we were ready to go. Meanwhile, most of the guys we were with were students at the university and knew good English so don't get the impression we were among strangers. For going out they decided to hang out at a local restaurant and the only thing keeping me awake was the music coming from upstairs. That night, I was a weak American who hardly stayed awake at a night out with friends.
Sunday the people from my group had offered to go back for a Brazilian barbecue. As tempting as the food was, I didn't end up going and instead stayed at the hotel doing some homework. I visited the nearby bakery which I found to have delicious treats, but sorry they won't make it on the way back home. It was a cold cloudy day that reminded me it was winter but I enjoyed my day in.
So I learned culture this weekend. The people go out much later and dinner isn't at five PM its more like nine. And desserts are much better, not too sweet but definitely flavorful. Different cultures have different traditions, while I'm here I'll just get used to it.
I didn't do much Saturday morning except pick up my laundry. Instead of washing your own clothes and feeding coins to machines, it seems custom to leave your clothes at the laundromat where others wash your clothes for you. Saturday I picked up a load full that I had left two days ago and received it in a bag with my clean clothes folded and sorted within.
At about 4:30PM Hector, a friend from the local university came to show us around the city and seeing as how he couldn't fit 12 people in his car, we all took the bus. After trying to discuss where we should go, Hector finally decided to take us to a friends house that lives close to the popular lake. So we trusted him as we walked three blocks after the bus stop in unknown territory to get to some guys house. This guy lived in a cozy cabin looking house with another student and around other students with similar housing. Since we were all hungry we decided to walk down to a well known pizza restaurant which surprisingly opened at 7PM. Many businesses open late around that area since the nightlife really attracts customers, but it seemed unorthodox for us to have a nice restaurant open so late. Even more uncustomary was the night out that followed.
Okay, so it might not be completely representative but that night we had a Brazilian night out. First, you stop by a local market and buy affordable drinks, which we did. Then, we went back to the guy's house with the people who wanted to keep the night going and just relaxed until it was time to go out. See, around here people go out until about 12AM so surely we waited at the guys house for four hours! It wasn't that bad except I wasn't drinking like most of the others and this American wasn't used to going out that late, so he got sleepy by the time we were ready to go. Meanwhile, most of the guys we were with were students at the university and knew good English so don't get the impression we were among strangers. For going out they decided to hang out at a local restaurant and the only thing keeping me awake was the music coming from upstairs. That night, I was a weak American who hardly stayed awake at a night out with friends.
Sunday the people from my group had offered to go back for a Brazilian barbecue. As tempting as the food was, I didn't end up going and instead stayed at the hotel doing some homework. I visited the nearby bakery which I found to have delicious treats, but sorry they won't make it on the way back home. It was a cold cloudy day that reminded me it was winter but I enjoyed my day in.
So I learned culture this weekend. The people go out much later and dinner isn't at five PM its more like nine. And desserts are much better, not too sweet but definitely flavorful. Different cultures have different traditions, while I'm here I'll just get used to it.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Pedro Dois -June 15, 2007
Okay so Friday I was still not feeling well, but I was getting better. Thursday was my bad day. After class in the morning the professor left to the big city for the weekend leaving us without a Portuguese translator but with the liberty to do as we wish. As I soon found out though, it's hard to get things done in a large group. See, people make up plans in their head for what they want to happen and without consulting the group expect it to happen. It's not too bad, I probably do it subconsciously but it doesn't help when everyone has a different idea on what to do with a Friday evening.
That's Pedro one, don't forget it!
After much discussion, we decided we would split into different groups. It was rather inevitable actually since people wanted to do different things! Anyway, we decided we would try our independent sense of adventure by going on two different buses that went different ways- all to later end up in the same market, go figure! Well our bus took the long way and all the meanwhile my group of six sat on a bus that was heading who knows were. A group of six talking in English and pulling out their cameras for every other normal thing, yea we were typical Brazilians. As we loudly talked to each other in English one young man asked us if we needed help. He knew English rather well and soon became our friend as he answered our every question about taking buses around here. Well, he answered what he knew and helped us get were we had to go. His name was Pedro and he seemed very excited to meet us.
Every other English speaking local has a good interest in speaking to us Native North American English speakers. They have also heard of California and take pride in hating our President... I don't even know theirs.
Well this man we met, Pedro dois as we soon called him (Pedro Two), showed us around the municipal market and talked to us for a while, mentioning that just by knowing us and talking to us for two hours was better than any other lesson in English he has ever had. He also translated many things for us and to tell you the truth made me a little jealous because now when people called Pedro, they weren't calling me. Later, we were all hungry and long behold decided to eat at a McDonald's that had two levels and free Internet access.
Later back at home I got something else to eat and most of the group just relaxed watching movies in the lower level commons room. We saw Lord of Wars and half of Munich until we all felt very tired and went up to sleep.
McDonald's has a sustainable franchise around here and thrives on its delicious sundaes. Hollywood movies make up at the majority of movies as they're too expensive to compete and the shopping malls are a glamour of wealth. Even so, Brazilians have their own culture and besides some American brands they look rather different. Even with American culture taking a good part of their economy, Brazil has sustained its own culture and gives a relaxed way of life.
That's Pedro one, don't forget it!
After much discussion, we decided we would split into different groups. It was rather inevitable actually since people wanted to do different things! Anyway, we decided we would try our independent sense of adventure by going on two different buses that went different ways- all to later end up in the same market, go figure! Well our bus took the long way and all the meanwhile my group of six sat on a bus that was heading who knows were. A group of six talking in English and pulling out their cameras for every other normal thing, yea we were typical Brazilians. As we loudly talked to each other in English one young man asked us if we needed help. He knew English rather well and soon became our friend as he answered our every question about taking buses around here. Well, he answered what he knew and helped us get were we had to go. His name was Pedro and he seemed very excited to meet us.
Every other English speaking local has a good interest in speaking to us Native North American English speakers. They have also heard of California and take pride in hating our President... I don't even know theirs.
Well this man we met, Pedro dois as we soon called him (Pedro Two), showed us around the municipal market and talked to us for a while, mentioning that just by knowing us and talking to us for two hours was better than any other lesson in English he has ever had. He also translated many things for us and to tell you the truth made me a little jealous because now when people called Pedro, they weren't calling me. Later, we were all hungry and long behold decided to eat at a McDonald's that had two levels and free Internet access.
Later back at home I got something else to eat and most of the group just relaxed watching movies in the lower level commons room. We saw Lord of Wars and half of Munich until we all felt very tired and went up to sleep.
McDonald's has a sustainable franchise around here and thrives on its delicious sundaes. Hollywood movies make up at the majority of movies as they're too expensive to compete and the shopping malls are a glamour of wealth. Even so, Brazilians have their own culture and besides some American brands they look rather different. Even with American culture taking a good part of their economy, Brazil has sustained its own culture and gives a relaxed way of life.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Media Ownership -June 14, 2007
Ever had those days in school when you feel so bad you wish you hadn't gone? When you're actually sick and all you want to do is bundle up in a cozy bed and breathe! Well today I had one of those days. Class in the morning was an hour long attempt to keep my nose from running and my head from hurting. The rest of the day was really just a day to sleep and stay within my hotel room. Who knows what (prescription) drugs I tried and how long I slept, but I stayed in. Being sick on vacation really, as we say in America, SUCKS! It takes away the excitement from being in Brazil!
For this post I am supposed to answer what a local thinks of media ownership, that's gonna be hard- I couldn't get a straight answer.
First, I should explain what is meant by media ownership. You see in the US we have several stakeholders which run an infinite amount of businesses. Time Warner for one takes control over a multitude of our communications, then Viacom and Disney overpower their broadcasting and marketing industries. A bit more down the rich list we do have Garnett, who owns 85 daily newspapers and over 1,000 non-daily publications. Aside from the US the British BBC and French Vivendi channels take over any competition in their countries. But what about Brazil?
Out by the local market I did ask a random local. She was sitting, waiting for a friend and didn't have much to say about media ownership. She said she works six days a week at a local beauty saloon and works long hours, which means she hardly watches television. She said she didn't think media ownership was too important and mentioned that the media doesn't affect her life too much anyway.
Of course this was the response of one random person who willingly said she didn't know much about media. But, should we care about who owns the media and who is affected by it? Say one company is behind all our information, should we know of it?
For this post I am supposed to answer what a local thinks of media ownership, that's gonna be hard- I couldn't get a straight answer.
First, I should explain what is meant by media ownership. You see in the US we have several stakeholders which run an infinite amount of businesses. Time Warner for one takes control over a multitude of our communications, then Viacom and Disney overpower their broadcasting and marketing industries. A bit more down the rich list we do have Garnett, who owns 85 daily newspapers and over 1,000 non-daily publications. Aside from the US the British BBC and French Vivendi channels take over any competition in their countries. But what about Brazil?
Out by the local market I did ask a random local. She was sitting, waiting for a friend and didn't have much to say about media ownership. She said she works six days a week at a local beauty saloon and works long hours, which means she hardly watches television. She said she didn't think media ownership was too important and mentioned that the media doesn't affect her life too much anyway.
Of course this was the response of one random person who willingly said she didn't know much about media. But, should we care about who owns the media and who is affected by it? Say one company is behind all our information, should we know of it?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Exploring the Lake -June 13, 2007
I know that back at home it is summer and at times when the sun is out all you want to do is go to the beach. Well first understand that summer in California does not mean summer all over the world. Past the equator in Florianopolis it is currently winter which means we will have to deal with winter weather. So far, weather has been moderate without and inch of rain but on Wednesday it was rather windy.
After class we were to meet at the Hotel to go to a lake with the professor. On the ride there my face started feeling HOT and I began to feel sick... This was just the beginning. When we got to the lake everyone was excited to see it and apparently I too was excited as I got out and climbed some rock behind a white guy. Unfortunately, my digital camera wasn't working so I took no pictures, but others did. I walked through the lake a bit and then went to sit on a tire swing all alone in the kids playground, hey I was feeling dizzy. Meanwhile, people took pictures and put their feet in the water, it was a beautiful lake. Afterward we explored the neighboring town entering a church and a gift store in the vicinity. In the gift store there was a guest list that my friend and I signed as we went in. Surely, we were the only two from Long Beach, California, United States.
Later in the night, the professor offered to take us to a well known lagoon on behalf of a student's birthday. There we ate at an Arab restaurant that was owned by an American who had moved to Florianopolis just four years ago. The food was good and of course expensive but the tab was mostly paid by the people who kept ordering alcohol drinks. After the restaurant, most of us stayed to go into a Bar which featured music and dancing. We decided to leave around twelve, which even though it was Wednesday, we later found out was early. As I asked how I could get a cab, I was lost, I couldn't understand them. Finally, from the people I was asking one lady offered to take me where the cabs are at. After we had walked like a block I began questioning how much I should trust this lady. I mean we were walking rather far and the streets were rather empty. Finally, after about three blocks we found the cabs and nothing had happened but a long walk and a strange conversation.
How much could I trust people, I thought. Yea, the lady was pretty but that doesn't mean I should trust her, does it?
After class we were to meet at the Hotel to go to a lake with the professor. On the ride there my face started feeling HOT and I began to feel sick... This was just the beginning. When we got to the lake everyone was excited to see it and apparently I too was excited as I got out and climbed some rock behind a white guy. Unfortunately, my digital camera wasn't working so I took no pictures, but others did. I walked through the lake a bit and then went to sit on a tire swing all alone in the kids playground, hey I was feeling dizzy. Meanwhile, people took pictures and put their feet in the water, it was a beautiful lake. Afterward we explored the neighboring town entering a church and a gift store in the vicinity. In the gift store there was a guest list that my friend and I signed as we went in. Surely, we were the only two from Long Beach, California, United States.
Later in the night, the professor offered to take us to a well known lagoon on behalf of a student's birthday. There we ate at an Arab restaurant that was owned by an American who had moved to Florianopolis just four years ago. The food was good and of course expensive but the tab was mostly paid by the people who kept ordering alcohol drinks. After the restaurant, most of us stayed to go into a Bar which featured music and dancing. We decided to leave around twelve, which even though it was Wednesday, we later found out was early. As I asked how I could get a cab, I was lost, I couldn't understand them. Finally, from the people I was asking one lady offered to take me where the cabs are at. After we had walked like a block I began questioning how much I should trust this lady. I mean we were walking rather far and the streets were rather empty. Finally, after about three blocks we found the cabs and nothing had happened but a long walk and a strange conversation. How much could I trust people, I thought. Yea, the lady was pretty but that doesn't mean I should trust her, does it?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
American? Bush Lover! -June 12, 2007
Outside of the hotel the neighborhood reminds me much of Mexico. The roads and sidewalks are paved but not smooth asphalt like I've gotten used to. There is a distinct green smell sometimes and whatever it is, I'm glad its not smog. The borders and walls among houses are of gray stone and have words like Bush=Guerra (Bush equals war) tagged on them. Watching cable TV at the hotel I found about 4 channels with popular English programs and Portuguese subtitles. Regardless, there is definitely an American influence in Brazil.
Back in class, our professor asked us to question a local person on their impression of the US.
As I was walking back through the campus with two other students, they stopped at a local vendor in the university to buy some earrings. After the vendor talking to us I had to make my popular introduction saying "we don't speak Portuguese." The vendor understood and tried to talk to the girls by pointing at some earrings and saying he made them himself. Meanwhile, I started a side conversation with the vendors friend who was just sitting there catching the sun.
He had long curly hair and looked local enough for me. It would be a funny conversation for his English was as bad as my Portuguese. Luckily, I know Spanish very well, which is very related to the Portuguese language making it easier to hold a conversation. As he asked me were I was from and why I was in Florianopolis I managed to tell him I could only understand him somewhat and thus began our conversation.
So what is your impression of the US I asked him. His first response was the apparent diversity that resides in the US. For example, he said, take the three of you, you look Mexican, she looks mixed and she looks Asian and you all come from the same place. In truth, he made sense and his example of the three of us was not necessarily correct but his point was well understood. Next, he dove into how he hates our current politics. By the way, It seems very popular around here to hate President Bush. He mentioned that Bush is like a puppet easily controlled by others and is ultimately responsible for the war in Iraq. All the while he would speak Portuguese mixed with Spanish and when there were words I didn't understand, I would simply repeat the word with a strange look on my face and he would follow with symbols and other words until I understood or simply pretended I did. What he said next I had a harder time understanding but went something like this: "Things much like life go in a circle. The government in American will change. Some governments will fall and other new ones will rise. The world is changing and so will politics. Once cycle is ending and another will begin." He spoke almost of a new world order. By this time the girls were done shopping and we had to go so I thanked him and left to see more of the campus. Like other students on campus, he seemed rather philosophical and very willing to talk to us.
Overall, it wasn't easy conversing with him, but it was interesting communicating without the simplicity of knowing each other's language.
Back in class, our professor asked us to question a local person on their impression of the US.
As I was walking back through the campus with two other students, they stopped at a local vendor in the university to buy some earrings. After the vendor talking to us I had to make my popular introduction saying "we don't speak Portuguese." The vendor understood and tried to talk to the girls by pointing at some earrings and saying he made them himself. Meanwhile, I started a side conversation with the vendors friend who was just sitting there catching the sun.
He had long curly hair and looked local enough for me. It would be a funny conversation for his English was as bad as my Portuguese. Luckily, I know Spanish very well, which is very related to the Portuguese language making it easier to hold a conversation. As he asked me were I was from and why I was in Florianopolis I managed to tell him I could only understand him somewhat and thus began our conversation.
So what is your impression of the US I asked him. His first response was the apparent diversity that resides in the US. For example, he said, take the three of you, you look Mexican, she looks mixed and she looks Asian and you all come from the same place. In truth, he made sense and his example of the three of us was not necessarily correct but his point was well understood. Next, he dove into how he hates our current politics. By the way, It seems very popular around here to hate President Bush. He mentioned that Bush is like a puppet easily controlled by others and is ultimately responsible for the war in Iraq. All the while he would speak Portuguese mixed with Spanish and when there were words I didn't understand, I would simply repeat the word with a strange look on my face and he would follow with symbols and other words until I understood or simply pretended I did. What he said next I had a harder time understanding but went something like this: "Things much like life go in a circle. The government in American will change. Some governments will fall and other new ones will rise. The world is changing and so will politics. Once cycle is ending and another will begin." He spoke almost of a new world order. By this time the girls were done shopping and we had to go so I thanked him and left to see more of the campus. Like other students on campus, he seemed rather philosophical and very willing to talk to us.
Overall, it wasn't easy conversing with him, but it was interesting communicating without the simplicity of knowing each other's language.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Brazil Here I Am -June 11, 2007
Segunda-feira. It means monday in Portuguese, although some people simply call it Segunda.
The flight was lengthy but it definitely made it to our final destination in Florianopolis. There we gladly met the professor who drove our luggage to our new home and sent us on a wild taxi drive back to the hotel. Once there we settled in took showers and went to sleep.
Monday was officially the first day of our course (JOUR 312) and marked the beginning of our three week stay. The hotel as we soon noticed is beautiful! Its a large residence with an exotic trail, a distinct restaurant, a remote hill, and a cold pool. We all sleep with two people making it four rooms of three. I share my room with the only two other guys in the class and we get along just fine. On the lower level of the rooms we discovered a commons room which some call our living room. There we can watch movies or just hang out and be loud. The hotel also provides free breakfast buffet featuring different juices, milk, coffee, egg, breads, cakes, cereal, and ham- different types of em.
Well, Monday was our first visit to the university. Florianopolis is the name of island we are residing in and is also the capital city of its province or state, Santa Catarina. The university is called Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina and we are to have classes daily among the journalism department. The first class was mostly an introduction and we met two students who will later be transferring to our university for a semester. The university is a large campus that enrolls over 20 thousand students for free.
After class six of us went shopping for groceries in a small local market, surely making our appearance as the new turists in town. Once we regrouped, the professor took us to the municipal market which had an array of shops and featured a wide street that reminded me of China due to its overcrowded streets. Then, we made our way to the Hercilio Luz Bridge which is unique in its steel architecture. Currently not transporting anyone, it connects the mainland of Santa Catarina to the island of Florianopolis and will later open to pedestrian crossers.
The day finished with the twelve of us going to a local bar/restaurant. Bars here are more common in the sense that they are not just for drinking. It was quite funny for the Portuguese waiters understood none of our English and we hardly spoke Portuguese let alone understood anything on the menu. Hence, we all ordered and waited for our surprise meals, which we later eat with no trouble.
The day was long and language was a definite barrier, but we were together 12 young Americans ready for adventure. Here commenced three weeks of life in Brazil.
The flight was lengthy but it definitely made it to our final destination in Florianopolis. There we gladly met the professor who drove our luggage to our new home and sent us on a wild taxi drive back to the hotel. Once there we settled in took showers and went to sleep.
Monday was officially the first day of our course (JOUR 312) and marked the beginning of our three week stay. The hotel as we soon noticed is beautiful! Its a large residence with an exotic trail, a distinct restaurant, a remote hill, and a cold pool. We all sleep with two people making it four rooms of three. I share my room with the only two other guys in the class and we get along just fine. On the lower level of the rooms we discovered a commons room which some call our living room. There we can watch movies or just hang out and be loud. The hotel also provides free breakfast buffet featuring different juices, milk, coffee, egg, breads, cakes, cereal, and ham- different types of em.
Well, Monday was our first visit to the university. Florianopolis is the name of island we are residing in and is also the capital city of its province or state, Santa Catarina. The university is called Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina and we are to have classes daily among the journalism department. The first class was mostly an introduction and we met two students who will later be transferring to our university for a semester. The university is a large campus that enrolls over 20 thousand students for free.
After class six of us went shopping for groceries in a small local market, surely making our appearance as the new turists in town. Once we regrouped, the professor took us to the municipal market which had an array of shops and featured a wide street that reminded me of China due to its overcrowded streets. Then, we made our way to the Hercilio Luz Bridge which is unique in its steel architecture. Currently not transporting anyone, it connects the mainland of Santa Catarina to the island of Florianopolis and will later open to pedestrian crossers.
The day finished with the twelve of us going to a local bar/restaurant. Bars here are more common in the sense that they are not just for drinking. It was quite funny for the Portuguese waiters understood none of our English and we hardly spoke Portuguese let alone understood anything on the menu. Hence, we all ordered and waited for our surprise meals, which we later eat with no trouble.
The day was long and language was a definite barrier, but we were together 12 young Americans ready for adventure. Here commenced three weeks of life in Brazil.
Monday, June 11, 2007
A night in an airplane- June 10, 2007
At about 4:10 AM in the current time zone I started my first blog at 550mph at an altitude of 31,000 feet and -36° Celcius. I was in an airplane and I decided to write my first entry into a journal which will constitute the postings that I place on this blog. My name is Pedro Briseño and these blogs will record my trip to Brazil.
The flight actually started June 9, 2007 were I and seven other CSULB students took off on a flight to Atlanta, Georgia. From there we were supposed to catch a connecting flight to a large city in Brazil and then reach our final destination- a 40km island located in a southern coast of Brazil.
As our group of seven arrived in Atlanta we were notified that our flight would be delayed about half an hour. Yea, well half an hour turned into over four hours of delay, giving my group time to watch Legally Blond 2 on a portable DVD player and opportunity to talk to other passengers traveling to Brazil. Most passengers seemed Brazilian and the ones who spoke English were rather willing to talk to our group of Californians. One thing a Brazilian student mentioned was that Florianopolis (our final destination) was a beautiful place were numerous Brazilians take vacations. Not only did other boarders know of my destination but also thought it was one of the best places to go in Brazil, I was thrilled!
Unfortunately, a new sense of uncertainty filled my body as we boarded the plane. Those four hours of delay meant we would not catch our next connecting flight and undoubtedly I was to spend the next nine hours on my economy class seat. What's more, the Portuguese language- Brazil's official language- was already soaring through the air. A confusing language which I knew few of.
After airplane dinner I relaxed with the complementary earphones of Delta while I watched a movie positioned above several seats. At the end of the movie I took a look outside the airplane window to see nothing but a vast darkened sea below and a star lit sky above. I started writing in my journal wondering how people trust these enormous fleets of machine to travel from continent to continent. In truth, I found it hard to trust and airplane so much while knowing so little about how they work. As I wrote, the television screen which previously showed a movie now displayed specific information such as height, speed, and geographic position over which we flew. It was amazing how we cut across the Dominican Republic in about 20 minutes. At last, sleep began to take me over and at 4:30 AM I finally decided to fall asleep. "Everyone seems asleep and I'm the only moron with a light on..." I wrote, "...This was my first entry but now I too will trust this soaring piece of metal..." I took one last look out the window and fell asleep.
The flight actually started June 9, 2007 were I and seven other CSULB students took off on a flight to Atlanta, Georgia. From there we were supposed to catch a connecting flight to a large city in Brazil and then reach our final destination- a 40km island located in a southern coast of Brazil.
As our group of seven arrived in Atlanta we were notified that our flight would be delayed about half an hour. Yea, well half an hour turned into over four hours of delay, giving my group time to watch Legally Blond 2 on a portable DVD player and opportunity to talk to other passengers traveling to Brazil. Most passengers seemed Brazilian and the ones who spoke English were rather willing to talk to our group of Californians. One thing a Brazilian student mentioned was that Florianopolis (our final destination) was a beautiful place were numerous Brazilians take vacations. Not only did other boarders know of my destination but also thought it was one of the best places to go in Brazil, I was thrilled!
Unfortunately, a new sense of uncertainty filled my body as we boarded the plane. Those four hours of delay meant we would not catch our next connecting flight and undoubtedly I was to spend the next nine hours on my economy class seat. What's more, the Portuguese language- Brazil's official language- was already soaring through the air. A confusing language which I knew few of.
After airplane dinner I relaxed with the complementary earphones of Delta while I watched a movie positioned above several seats. At the end of the movie I took a look outside the airplane window to see nothing but a vast darkened sea below and a star lit sky above. I started writing in my journal wondering how people trust these enormous fleets of machine to travel from continent to continent. In truth, I found it hard to trust and airplane so much while knowing so little about how they work. As I wrote, the television screen which previously showed a movie now displayed specific information such as height, speed, and geographic position over which we flew. It was amazing how we cut across the Dominican Republic in about 20 minutes. At last, sleep began to take me over and at 4:30 AM I finally decided to fall asleep. "Everyone seems asleep and I'm the only moron with a light on..." I wrote, "...This was my first entry but now I too will trust this soaring piece of metal..." I took one last look out the window and fell asleep.
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