More than a month in Brazil… for some an impossible dream, others a nightmare, for me the start of a new period of my life. I’ll start by clarifying that in Brazil the term Gringo is not negative, as in other latin-american countries, but just means “stranger” (estrangeiro), regardless of race and country of origin. As in most occasions, it is hard to be offended by a Brazilian’s commentary or “brincadeira” (joke).
Where do I start…
This week (Monday or segunda-feira) first class (thermodynamics) in Portuguese. Good thing I’ve been here over a month, I understand enough Portuguese to understand a teacher who speaks not too fast and with not much “sotaque” (accent). As for scientific terms, there Portuguese versions are close enough to French. Here is a photo of INPE, palm trees included!
Since last week I have moved into a house that I rent with 2 “meninas”, friends that study at INPE: Christina from São Paulo state does a MSc in meteorology and Ariana from Recife (Pernambuco, Nordeste) does a PhD in remote sensing. I was spontaneously baptized their “Gringo de Estimacão” (our esteemed/dear Gringo). Photos of the house and roommates to come…
You can’t imagine my satisfaction in sleeping in MY BED, after 18 months of running around Europe and South Amercia. I must admit I was a little fed up with sleeping in hotel and hostel rooms, sometimes walking up and asking myself: where am I?
To sum up my situation: I’m starting classes, speak enough Portuguese to have decent conversations, installed in my house in São José dos Campos.
Now a little “flash-back” of these last weeks. After my arrival in São José and my first administrative hassles (détails to come in an upcoming episode), I passed Carnaval in São Paulo, with some friends I met here and in Chile. Next time I will go to Salvador ou Recife, that’s where it’s at! Then I spent a few days in the “litoral” in Santos for the beach and a visit to “Santos Futbol Club”, home of the famous Pelé. Back in São José to find an apartment, I met Christina with whom I visited many tiny apartments, we ended up by choosing this house in Monte Castelo. It’s funny everyone thought we were a couple (which we are not, for all you curious folk!).
As it was hot and humid I fled the interior for the coast, in the tiny colonial town of São Sebastião for some paragliding in Caraguatatuba and sailing lessons. Back to São José again to prepare the move and visit INPE and CPTEC (Met office, one hour from São José). Last week was dedicated to moving into the house (which I hadn’t done for years) and administrative trivia. This week, first lesson and the rest of the week was off (my second class starts next week). So here I am back in Caraguatatuba, where every day I flew the paraglider for one hour, followed by afternoon sailing courses in São Sebastião. Luckily the water is warm here, I flipped the boat a few times! The body is bruised but the mind is rested and serene (after a frustrating week dealing with paperwork).
Well I’ll leave you to these albums of new photos, wishing you a warm spring! Beijos!
