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James On Gap!!
Has been a bit of a shopping fest over the last week. First Belle, Vera and I went to the night market just off Praia do Meireles (I think) and a few days later we checked out the Mercado Central. Turns out Fortaleza is one of Brazil's centres for arts and crafts, and you could really see that at the markets. Loads and loads and loads of local food, clothes, jewellery and other little trinkets on offer....was paradise for me!! I found some hippies from Bahia selling some pretty authentic-looking jewellery from all over Brazil, so took the opportunity to buy a couple of presents for the pals. Will definitely be back at the night market at some point...it was massive!! The Mercado Central was slightly more commercial, with a focus on clothes (looooads of fake footy shirts) and stuff that Brazilians want, rather than tourists like me. Belle and I decided that we will definitely be getting ourselves a hammock each for our journey down the coast...we're going to so many beaches it'd be madness not to buy one!! Reaaaallly cheap as well...and its good quality stuff. Should last until THE gap. Speaking of gifts and such like, Belle and I have been receiving little things left, right and centre. Two of the girls from Sao Pivete, Bruna and Beatriz, who I think are about 7 and 9, gave us loads of little letters with tonnes of drawings and writing on ("James voce e muito lindo"...love it!!), whilst Felipe, a 15 year old guy who has been at Sao Pivete all his life and now helps keep the kids under control, gave us a little homemade card each, saying that we were his best friends in the world and other outrageously cute stuff. I'm really starting to love those kids down at Sao Pivete....incredible little fellas. Meanwhile at the other end of the age spectrum, a really sweet 80 year old guy that we both teach, Claro, actually had 2 t shirts made for us, with "Dear James, Welcome to Fortaleza, Your English Students" printed on. How cool!? Was a bit speechless when I received that. But thats just the people here...friendly beyond belief. On Saturday Belle and I went into town to go clubbing. Vera recommended Armazem and it didn't disappoint... it was HUUUGE, with an open air bit for forro, complete with fountains and a stage for live bands, and a proper indoor club bit in which we spent most of the night. Was wicked. Knowing Belles host familys views on getting in late, we thought it would better if she stayed at my place, and after talking to both Edileusa AND Belles parents (bear in mind they said fine), it was all good. However, for Belles host family this was actually the final straw, and the next day, seemingly inexplicably, they told Belle she was going to go to another house. Immediately we both went to Daniel to discuss what the hell was going on. Belle was in tears (and I wasnt exactly all smiles either), saying that Anjelica (her host mum) had said that it would be fine for her to stay at my house, and that she didnt want to leave, especially since she is now very close to Samuel, the 11 year old kid of the family. Daniel basically told us that we werent to blame, and that Edilton (the dad) has a very closed mentality when it comes to other cultures. It kind of begs the question why in the name of god would you take in a volunteer if you're not willing to accept the culture clash, and thats on top of the ludicrous way in which they kept quiet about the perceived problems until it was too late and they were telling Belle she was leaving. Unbelievable. Since then they've sort of come crawling back, saying that Belle can stay if she keeps to the rules (ie tell them what shes doing well before she does it, which is kind of possible here because little days and nights out come up very suddenly when you're meeting new people all the time), but Daniel has recommended it will be better for Belles experience if she goes to stay with another family and start over. Edileusa has said that Belle is welcome to stay with us, and if Daniel cant find a family in Carlito (ie close), I think she should. I guess we'll see what happens. Was just a really depressing thing to happen, especially when I was feeling so happy about everything here. I should say that Belle is all good now. Shes still with Anjelica and Edilton until its all resolved, but shes bounced back and remains vintage cool Belle. We spent that day at the beach and since then its been back to normal. Today with the Sao Pivete kids was soooooo jokes (as usual) and we just did our lessons (my beginners are slowly getting better!). But anyway I've gone on and on and I'm sure I'll have to get back for dinner soon. Love all of you loads, J x P.S. Photos of stuff coming soon! P.P.S. Simon and Rob, my most rated people on the planet, let me know how your gigs are as we head into your sicko October...baaaare jealous!!
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