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I know I know I know.... it is hard to stay on top of this thing, but I know it is worth it because I can share my adventures and keep everyone updated as well as be able to look back on the fond memories I have of Brasil and my experiences here.
Okay, so classes are still going well. I finally have homework... that is not collected or graded, but that is okay. I am staying busy, learning, socializing, exploring, and improving my Portuguese. I had my first test in Simulacao, Simulation (Industrial and Systems engineering class) and sadly I did not know that this test was yesterday. I was a little late to class, like 3 minutes, and then my teacher is like okay here is your test. There were 16 questions and we had to design a simulation based on the information given using Arena 11 software, which is American software in English. It is actually really cool and I hope to download the program onto my computer. Anyhow, I was not really sure what the details were saying, but my teacher was nice and answered many of my questions. I hope I did well, I was just so unsure about things, that I am not sure it went well, but we will find out soon. Okay so now to updating from past couple of weeks.
Okay so the weekend of Mar 12-Mar 14, I had the amazing opportunity to go to Ilha do Mel, Honey Island, which is located off the coast of Parana, which is the state I am living in. Nick, Karim (German friend), and I took a bus Friday morning from Curitiba to Pontal do Sul, Parana and then took a boat from Pontal do Sul to Ilha do mel. It was the coolest thing ever. The Island. Omg. So there are no cars on this island and about 1000 people permanently live there. There are restaurants and bars on the beach, and our hostel was right on the beach. I have never stayed in a hostel before. It was not too too bad. The set up was cool because they had like a game/fun area with pool, fooseball, computer, chairs/couches, and a tv viewing area. Also, there was a communal kitchen, so we could buy groceries and cook food and save money. They also had a really amazing breakfast in the mornings that was included. The rooms.... were my only concern. haha. I am just squeamish and weird about beds and showers and such. There were rooms with 4 beds and 6 beds and they were bunk beds. Then, there was a fan in each room, bathroom, and shower. The bugs were really bad and I had a bazillion mosquito bites. But it was still worth it because of the whole experience and the costs. It was R$35/night. Anyhow, definitely check out the pictures. The beaches there were amazing and there is controversy as to why its called Honey Island, but at one of the beaches we went to the water was legit the color of honey. I think because it was semi-clear and then the sand beneath, it looked like honey. It was really amazing. Just the landscapes and views on the island were phenomenal. The first day we just went to the beach and lounged. I actually felt really bad that whole day for some reason and took a nap and went to bed early as well which was sad. But Saturday the rest of our friends came and we went to the other side of the island and walked to this really cool lighthouse and went to the beach over there as well. Then, we walked back after having taken a boat there. Again amazing landscape. Saturday night we made pizza for dinner and played cards, Hearts and Spades. I am glad I made friends that love card games like me. :) Then, Keri and I called it an early night and went to bed. Woke up the next morning and we went to the other side of the island again by boat and then walked to the Fort that had been built by the Portuguese I believe back in like.... I dont know exactly but it was very long ago. It was quite a trek, but very enjoyable. Got back, ate, packed up, and went back home. I had never walked some much in one weekend and never had drank so much water. It was really awesome though. One of my favorite places in Brasil thus far and one of my most favorite weekends.
Last week had classes and started going to this orphanage with Keri and Nick on Mondays. We ended up having these 3 little girls ages 4 to 6 and it was insane. They were all over the place, hyper, and not good listeners. I realized I do not know a lot of command words in Portuguese like "share", "don't do that", and "behave." Lol. It was quite an experience, but I am still glad I went. Sadly, at the end of last week I got sick with a cold or something. Thursday, we watched a Brazilian movie in Portuguese class, and the humor was interesting. The name of the movie was "O Auto da Compadecida". On Friday I worked on some homework and studied with my friend Ruth (German/Brazilian) and then Friday night for dinner I went to this awesome Mustang Sally restaurant with my friend Nick. Its so cool because between 5 and 8 everything on the menu is half off and the theme is American, so they have hamburgers and all sorts of good things. Then, they also have drinks that are buy 2 for 1. We got Caipirinhas and I got one with strawberry and Rum and Nick got with pineapple and Rum. It was sooo ridiculously strong.. I ordered a Sprite and mixed it. It was quite good with the Sprite too I have to say. It was very nice. And I had a hamburger and french fries and it was amazing.
On Saturday I had all these amazing plans... but was not well enough to do them. I spent the whole day in my room in lounge clothes blowing my nose and drinking so much tea, juice, and water. It was kinda cool though because that night I watched The House of Wax in Portuguese as well as House, the tv show. On Sunday again I missed out on plans because I was still feeling way under the weather. But with some more rest and such, I was able to go to church with Keri and Carlos and afterwards enjoy a delicious Brazilian hot dog.
On Monday, I had my 4 hour class and we went over the homework. It was funny because the professor said okay you have to do exercise 2 and turn it in for a grade, you have 30 minutes. So, we started doing it and then people were talking and he said no no this is individual. People got fed up and frustrated, so they just straight up left class. Come to find out he was not serious and only wanted us to take the class seriously. That stinks for those people who left because again the teachers normally take roll at the end of class, and you cant miss more than 25% of the classes or you fail. So after class, I did my lunch thing and then went with Keri to the orphanage and it was soooo awesome. We got to work with the older girls and it was on their English homework. It was really amazing because they were really nice and fun to be around. Also, it was really cool helping someone learn English and in the process I got to practice my Portuguese and such because their listening and speaking skills are not so great, so I had to explain many things in Portuguese, but it was good. Then after helping them with their homework we played Uno and it was really fun.
As far as the rest of the week goes... tomorrow will be pretty busy because I have errands to run and I need to buy my bus ticket for Rio de Janeiro!!! I plan on going to Rio on Saturday, getting there Sunday because of the 14 hour bus ride, and then coming back on Thursday. Then, I leave again that Friday for a church retreat for Easter weekend. Carlos and Keri are going and I think it will be really great. I think Rio will be really awesome as well.
Thanks for reading and again sorry for the time interval between entries... I will try to keep up. Tchau tchau!
Ashley
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