Reflections - Marlee
About my year in Brazil - Don't count the days - make the days count!
I have passed 3/4 of my exchange, 'wow' time really does fly when your having fun. I have immersed myself into a new country, culture, family, friends and a new life here in Brazil. It has been the most daunting, frightening, amazing, different and most wonderful decision I have ever made to go to Brazil for 12 months on my own.
I have encountered a journey that will change my life. Being in Brazil is not just being in a different country, but a different world. I am the only white person in the sea of black faces. An un-familiar language rings in my ears, the food tickles my taste buds encouraging me to take more, school starts before sun rise and ends after sun set, driving is like you're on an old rusty roller coaster without a safety belt, the houses are completely different and the biggest difference is the Favalas (slums).
The Favalas is a place where as an unfamiliar white girl I am forbidden to go to, but I can't help control my curiosity towards them. They are like nothing I have ever seen before. There are numerous families living under a few pieces of plastic and a tin roof. It is a place where kids are forced to sell drugs for their parents, where little girls lay on the side of the road calling for drunk, greedy men. A place where after 12pm the community law is that the 'bandits' can come out and do anything with anyone left on the streets. It's a different world.
This is a part of Brazil I can only wonder and imagine what it would be like. The Brazilian life I am living is filled with colour, life, incredible music, enthusiastic dancing, festive parties and the very vibrant culture Brazilians create.
In your exchange year you have between 1-4 families. To be in a different family is a strange interesting experience. While you miss your mum's homemade cooking and your dad's terrible dad jokes it's great to experience another unique family life style. I am currently in my third and final family. My families have all been amazing in interesting ways. I had some trouble with my second host family as they didn't like my way of life and tried to make me the daughter they wanted. I learnt a lot through this traumatic experience, and realised that is how you react in these moments that define who you are.
I have had some amazing experiences so far. I have performed in front of 20,000 people, danced in crazy carnival parties, met crazy people from all over the world, hiked up waterfalls, and my favourite so far was go to the AMAZON!! To go to the Amazon and meet the indigenous tribes has always been a dream of mine, and this year I was able to make my dream come true! We drifted down the Amazon River for 7 days sleeping on boats with people from all over the world. I was able to catch alligators, swim with the beautiful pink dolphins, hold a sloth, swim under waterfalls, sleep under the dense Amazon Forest and visit and learn about the unique life of the Amazon tribes. This was truly the most unique, enriching experience I have ever had!
I am proud to say that I have conquered the task of learning another language, which in itself is such an amazing achievement!
I look back on my time here and cannot believe just how much I have learnt and grown as a person! My view on life has changed, and I love living life to its absolute fullest, as there is just so much to see do and learn! Brazil is continuing to surprise me everyday with its joyous wonders and I am finding that everyday my heart is becoming more connected to this vibrant culture and beautiful way of life!!
Marlee
Hosted by:
Rotary Club of Itabira, D4520 Brazil
