Arielys (Torch Class 4) spends her first summer of college traveling with Northeastern's Dialogues of Civilizations Program to Brazil with NU Professors and students. Living with a host family for six weeks, Arielys is fully immersed in Brazilian culture. Between two classes, travel, cultural immersion, and homework, Arieyls finds time to blog from Brazil.
Post #1: So far my trip to Salvador, Bahia has been AMAZAZING! Not only am I having a great time but I’m learning so much and its only been a week. Unfortunetly, I am new to this blogging thing. I just need motivation to start. So here I go…
I touched down in Brazil on June 27th on a beautiful sunny morning- just how I pictured it! The first thing I did once I got off the plane was exchange my money for Reaiz. When we got the hotel, I was in awe from the view by the pool, truly amazing.
Post #2: Today we finally got our books in Portuguese class! I have never been happier to get homework. I feel like the homework is really going to help me communicate with my parents more. It’s only been a week and some change, and I can already see my progress. My host parents even say I’m doing a good job and I can actually have a full conversation with them now. When I first arrived here, I was so scared to say anything, so I was really quiet with them and pretty much waited for her to initiate the conversation. As time went on I am really catching on to the language, it's so similar to Spanish. The only difference is the pronunciation.
Post #3: Although I am not a religious person at all, I think I'm going to focus my blog on the history and religion of Bahia. It is so interesting and caught my attention from the beginning of the trip. The lecture, tour of Pelourinho, and the Bale Folclorico da Bahia really caught my attention the most throughout this trip. Its amazing how they carried this religion of Candomble throughout slavery and it still lives today. The traditional clothing, ceremony and music is still alive! Thats amazing, after all these years. I really respect that. In Pelourinho its is not uncommon to pass by women wearing the outfits like the one the woman below. It represents what they came from, Its unbelievable that they still carry this.
Post #4- Beach today was the best! Got to watch the sun set as it reflected off the ocean water =D. That doesn’t happen at Revere Beach.
Post #5: Morro de Sao PauloLast weekend was the absolute highlight of my trip. Morro de Sao Paulo was gorgeous and just what I expected with its calm environment and laid back islanders. The rain tried to stop us from having a good time, but of course like any other day in Brazil we made the best of it. The hotel was amazing and really unexplainable so I'm just going to have to put up pics to show. I went horseback riding, ziplining and ate some of the best Carne du Sol w/ Batata Frita and white rice with farofa-- all for just 50 reais!! That's like 20 something bucks in American money!! NOT BAD AT ALL :). I had a really good time and I'm so thankful I was able to experience something like that. Of course taking a mud bath did not happen, but I walked around barefoot all weekend with no care in the world, and that is the beauty of it all.
