Directions from a Stranger

My eyes are so squinched in my profile picture and my cheeks look swollen.

THAT said, I just got a short email from a friend and it made me feel 70% better that I was feeling seconds before I read it. I am just really not liking the culture here, but I don't know what all is involved in me forming this conclusion. I know it is not just the Latin American culture itself, it is combined with so much more, but right now it makes me feel a little better to be able to blame my disliking of whatever it is on something...if this isn't making sense just disregard it!

I took the complimentar from the MCC house to Solonge's house today. The complimentar is a small bus that goes a specific route and has air conditioning. I like complimentars. I got off about half way throught the 40 minute ride because I always pass this cute older house that has some sort of business going on in it. I always wanted to jump off early one day and check it out. So I did today. It is a salon, a really cute one, probably a little expensive. It was closed so I went to catch another complimentar. It came shortly after I got to the bus stop. I noticed we passed my favorite park and I had never realized that we always pass this park. Then we were passing these other areas that I recognized but didn't think my complimentar passed from the MCC house to Solonge's. So I ask the lady next to me if it passes the area I was headed and she said no...you should get off. So I got off. I asked a few ladies standing at this bus stop which bus to take. They were very friendly and helped me out. Whenever you ask someone here directions they are more than happy to help you and will go out of their way to show you. People have walked blocks with me before. This is one thing I like about the culture. Yes...getting a little more positive about things! Okay. So I get on and the ladies I had asked for directions got on the same one. They told me exactly when to get off and where to turn. They used the word "sinal" in part of their directions but I couldn't remember what that word meant and I didn't want to ask. I get off and start walking repeating that word in my head and it finally came to me. Duh...signal. 3 buses later I found the house. I got off a lot closer than I thought I was. It turned out better than I thought.

This is a long explanation of my bus riding today. Sorry if you're bored.

I'm going to water aerobics tonight with Solonge. I hear it's all old ladies. I'm excited!

In a Frank Sinatra Mood

I just read an email from Susan...probably one of the funnest emails I've ever gotten. THANKS SUSAN! She mentioned the song "Unforgetable" by Frank Sinatra. And now I am listening to Franky. It is great.

I slept at my home in Janga for the first time last night in a long time. I had been staying in Riacho- a small town near Janga- for the past 2 weeks (did I already mention this?). Anyway, it was REALLY hot. I wake up some mornings with my fan blowing hot air onto my body, get really mad that the heat is the reason I wasn't able to sleep more and do that whole kick nothing in the air- silent complaining- whatever you wanna call it scene like in Hitch when he doesn't want to go to work. Do you know what I'm talking about?! awww...to be cold!

Last night I was walking home from church with my friend Rayanne and we ran into my 2 mormon missionary friends. There are a lot of mormons here. The internet cafe that I sometimes use is owned by an English speaking Brasilian Mormon who knows a few people in Fresno. The 2 we ran into last night- I knew one of them but the other guy just got here last week, both Americans. Kinda weird running into other N. American's here in Janga.

Yesturday I took some pictures on the bus on my way to Arruda (where Emily and Solonge live). I have never taken pictures on the bus because it's not the smartest thing to let everyone know you have a digital camera on hand. Thank God I didn't get robbed yesturday, though that robber would've gotten lots of good stuff and probably been able to live off of the salary he would have earned from selling that good stuff for an entire year. I had the laptop, camera, cell phone and cash on hand. Don't worry- I won't be doing that often. But it was Sunday, which means not a lot of people on the buses, half the price bus fare, and it's Sunday- that's gotta mean something?! ha. When I was heading back to Janga it took 2 hrs! Usually takes like an hour and 15 minutes. No one told me yesturday was the official first day of Carnival. If you don't know what Carnival is look it up. It's the biggest holiday here in Brazil and pretty much lasts half of January, all of February and carries on to the begining of March. There were thousands of people on the streets in Olinda and about 5000 more cars than normal. I probably could've walked home quicker, but due to what I was carrying and the book I was reading I stayed on the bus. I finished "Mere Christianity" before I got off the bus. That book....OOOHHH that book. Read it.

My face is DISgusting right now. The humidy that makes my face constantly oily has done some ugly things to it.

Agora, isso e pra Priscilla. Eu nao posso esperar ate eu voltar pra Cali e ver(?) voce! EIII.....voce e muito frio agora...eu espero que eu estava frio agora mais de todo!! Tchau tchau....escreve pra mim em Portuguese, VIU?!

Until next time, here's an idea for you Christmas tree next year....

Terceda Gripe (sp?)

Third cold. I just got my third cold in a row yesturday morning. My throat is dead. Again, that weak half awake feeling. Lunch is almost ready...just sitting here at the MCC House. Emily and I are chillin'here for a little while.
It's January 2, 2007! Wow. A group of us went to an awesome show Friday night. I had so much fun dancing and singing to the few Portuguese songs I knew and some beatles songs they re-did. The name of the first band was Ropa Nova and the second was Capim Cabano. SOO good. Everyone was dancing. We pushed our way nearly to the very front. I've stayed at a different house almost every night the past weeks. Umm...this post is pointless but I thought I should write something down. I just had this berry tea. It was delicious. I'm going to go eat some good lunch that Solonge made now.