Life in the Countryside

This week I helped out with more classes at ACG, hung out at the water park with Miriam and went to an all-you-can-eat pizza dinner with the coordinator of the language school and some of her students. My goodness, there are so many delicious types of pizza here… including sweet pizza! My favourite was white chocolate and peach :) I definitely over-ate… again… and it only cost $8.00! Well, I’m cultivating my curves Brazilian style, heh heh. On Thursday I also visited the fire department. I found it very well equipped and the fire fighters seemed knowledgeable and passionate.
Friday I took the bus to São Jose do Rio Preto to visit Anieli and her family. At church in the evening I learned that they cover all the statues and images with purple and pink drapes during Easter to hide the images of Christ suffering. Later we went to an old theatre to watch Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Even though it was in Portuguese, I understood nearly everything! I’ve really been noticing this week how much my Portuguese has improved in just one month.
Saturday I took the bus back to Olimpia where I got a ride from Weberson, one of the English teachers, to the nearby town of Severinha to help out with some classes there. It was interesting to talk to him about the difficulties of living abroad since he has lived in the United States. In the evening, I went with Carmen and her husband to their farm near Severinha. It is simply picturesque, like a Swiss chalet with a view over Tuscany! Carmen and I went horse riding as the sun set over the sugar cane fields and rolling hills. I will never forget as it got dark we climbed the hill towards the chalet, with fireflies dancing around us and lighting flashing in the distance. Antonio Carlos and his wife joined us for a glass of wine by the pond, under the stormy sky and nearly full moon – simply poetic!
Today (Sunday) I went with Antonio and his wife to a Rotary benefit lunch in Barretos. It took place at the rodeo grounds where there is one of the world’s biggest rodeo parties in August. The picture is of me with a 27-metre-high cowboy!! Tonight, I made pancakes for my host family to continue my family tradition of waffle Sunday. I also feel like I traveled home today as I was able to participate in a ceremony with my family through Skype. We are all sending our love and positive thoughts to my best friend, Lisa and the 4 other crew members of the yacht that is missing off the coast of Chile.