Belém!

Last night we met our homestay families at a little function that SIT put on. We were all so so nervous driving to the location, all chattering about the butterflies in our stomachs. When we got there, many families were already there, while others, like myself, had to wait in even MORE anticipation. Finally part of my family came for me: Paula and Paulo, the daughter of my host parents and her husband. What I expected to be the usual awkward first meet and greet was even MORE awkward due to my terrible Portuguese skills and their lacking English ones. We got a couple phrases and facts about ourselves out before we decided to head on home. At first I didn’t understand who these people were. Yes, my host family, duh, but I didn’t understand their place in the family. I guess I assumed they were my parents, but knew they weren’t. It was a very strange feeling. When I got to their apartment, I met my actual host father, Paulo, and was shown around. It’s a very nice place. I have my own room with a very nice view of part of Belém and share a bathroom. I’ve never lived in an apartment, so it is a change. After staying up for HOURS trying to get some conversation going with our failing Portuguese/English, my host brother, Alexandre, came home who speaks almost perfect English (Thank God!). That was such a relief. Really. We chatted for a while and then talked a little about riding the bus (eek!) to school the next day. FINALLY I took a shower, (they take 2 or 3 a day here due to the heat and humidity) and got to bed where I slept like a rock.

This morning went on without a hitch. We found the bus, got off at the right stop and got to school on time. Really, by school I mean we got to the office of SIT where we have our Portuguese and Seminar classes. When we arrived she asked, with the help of my Portuguese professor Luanna, if I could get myself home. Tentatively, I said “Oh yeah..I’ll figure it out,” which then made me nervous the rest of the day. Brazilians eat their largest meal at lunch and most people generally go home to eat it with their families. Since I was scared to ride the bus and didn’t really want to go home to spend the day, possibly alone, at the apartment, a group of us adventured around the office and found a restaurant to eat at. After satiating ourselves with rice, noodles, chicken, fish, ham and beer, we went back to the office, hung out and did homework. A group went to the police station today to register with them, which ended up taking HOURS. I’ll have to do that tomorrow, ugh. I successfully managed to convince one of the guys who takes the same bus as me to leave at the same time so we could figure it out together. Buses in Belém aren’t very convenient. There are no bus schedules, no obvious bus stops and their streets are named few and far between. I thought I knew maybe where I had initially gotten on the bus, but I didn’t really. Luckily one of the women at the office printed a map off for me and labeled my apartment. Without that, OH MAN I would not be here to type this probably. The bus ride that took me 20 minutes to get to school took at least an hour to get back home. I may find a different route tomorrow. But alas, I arrived home to an empty house, took the time to put all my clothes away, take a shower and write up this post. I should for SURE practice my Portuguese tonight and look at our schedule. Alexandre (my host brother), told me we have wireless and told me the password, but I can’t quite figure it out. What a pain, but oh so fortunate that I even have internet.

            Even though today was FULL of nervousness, I am enjoying myself and look forward to more experiences in the next couple of months. Everyone in the group gets along so well and have been making this so awesome. We even all get sad when we are done with class and have to separate from one another for the evening. This weekend is “free time” with my family, but I am SOO nervous for that. While I know they have a “country house” they like to go to, the mother isn’t home so I’m not sure what they’ll end up doing. I’d really like to explore Belém with the group, but I know I should definitely try to do some activities with the family so we can build a good relationship. Oy veh. I’ll figure it out.

PS: For years I have complained when people have called me “Michelley” but here, that’s how it sounds when Brazilians say my name, haha. It is taking some getting used to, but all you out there that have always wanted to call me that obnoxious name…I might now respond to you. (Although, it doesn’t sound obnoxious when Brazilians say it..)

PPS: Courtney...my host dad sounds almost EXACTLY like Grandpa…if Grandpa knew Portuguese. It is a comforting sound, even though I don’t understand him. :]