So far the first week of this adventure has seemed like months. From the moment I wake up, 7:30am, to the time I fall asleep I am bombarded with thousands of pieces of this foreign culture. From the language, to how the bus system works, to what Brazilians eat. At the end of each day my head feels like it is overloaded and numb.
Since arriving I had not gotten a good night sleep. I don’t know is it was the hard bed, the foreign setting, or my nervousness but until this morning I would sleep lightly waking at any noise. I think it is the first sign that I am settling in. Thank God.
Today was also the first day that I felt confident on getting to school and home without getting lost and walking an extra mile, which (as I have failed to mention before) has happen several times already. Belo Horizonte is a very confusing city. It is probably on the same level as being stoned in Amsterdam. The city is designed in a circle, with ruas (streets) running north and south and avenues running 45 degrees to the ruas. If you can’t visualize the layout just imagine an American city, add some of the craziest drivers in the world, put streets coming from all angles, multiply the confusing factor by 10 and you have an idea to what it is like here. It is the most disorienting place to navigate. In addition to all of this, none of the bus stops are labeled. It will take weeks for me to master this Brazilian city.
On the positive side, the sun is shinning bright, the people are cool, and I am learning a lot. We went to a beautiful museum that was full of Brazilian history, pretty cool. It is crazy that a country that has more resources than any other place in the world in not the richest country in the world. They had a gold rush that dwarfed California’s, they have more trees, more minerals, and a huge amount of land. It’s weird how things work out.
I’m over hump day (Wednesday), and it is all down hill from here till the weekend. I can’t wait to sleep in and hopefully have time to get a little exercise and give my books a bit of rest. Boa noite e ate amanha. Tchau
Um comentário:
Ola Ben! It seems like your learning curve is on a 'crescendo'. Beeing an expatriate myself I know well the feelings, the fears, and the sense of 'frustration' you are going through. This is the greatest challenge of living and dealing with the unfamiliar, and the unknown. It feels as if you have been thrown out of your comfort zone; it's cultural shock in its workings. Hang in there.
I do need to say a couple things though for the sake of accuracy:
(a) You should suggest that your readers check the "WIKIPEDIA" site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belo_Horizonte for general information on "BEAGA". Of course, there are tons of other sites available on the Internet, but I think this one gives the reader very good snap shots (in English) of present and past BH.
(2) Actually, Belo Horizonte was the first planned city in Brazil. I believe the city plan was inspired by the design of Washington, D.C. (your capital) Check this out, you might find resemblances while you explore BH's landscape. Also, look for those bus stop signs. I took those buses recently to Pampulha, Lagoinha, Lagoa Santa, Cachoeirinha, etc., and I always rellied on those signs, colors, and numbers attached to the different regions within the Greater Belo Horizonte. So, look around, they should be there. They are very helpful.
Gotta go.
qb
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