I arrived Brazil on 14 Feb 2010,
Today is 14 March 2010.
I am kind of settle I believed.
Living simple but my mind is always getting some new inspires or even attacks! I totally understand I am living in a developing country. But it’s not only because I got difficulties in living, like sometimes there will be no Power, no Running Water in the house (that’s a pain as it a very hot city with no common air-conditioning), people just go to toilet everywhere they like and though rubbish.
I can wear no shirt outside the door
of my house without afraid there are females. And I am not able to go anywhere as everyone speaks only Portuguese. And I live far from the city.
It’s more than just BAD things for the culture here, I like here.
Hugging and kissing in the culture is so great. Even you’ve just met them first time. Suddenly I will go to someone’s house for lunch and breakfast, like they are always getting ready for another one to come and enjoy. Like the Chinese, just prepare one pair more chopsticks (OK, sometimes it costs…)
And people will just go to your house and meet you on Sunday night without tell you! And they will just come and drink and sing and play guitar and drums! I had some 40% Brazilian alcohol...
Mother will feed the baby in front of the talking group (and I saw it even in the theatre watching the show..), seem that's just a normal thing for baby to eat....
Dancing and enjoying life of everyone under music, this is not a materialization country, so the mental life is more important here, listen to good music, dancing with friends, going to celebrate birthday with a very old lady, drinking bottles and bottles of beer with friend just talking everything, reading an interesting (or not so interesting book). Sitting under the riverside, having ice-cream and doing nothing.
I have many first times in Brazil.
Experienced CARNAVAL with Crazy people around the world.
Met the famous Jesus Christ and visit the Sugar Loaf in Rio.
Trying new fruits here in Para, Capuacu, Azai, maracuja, and food: Tapioca , Farinha and different kind of meats here. Feijao and Arroz (Beans and Rice) are both the important food in the meals here.
Taking the local bus and van and MOTO Taxi (yes, motocycle taxi...sometimes can take 2 persons...) are all new experiences for me, but with the Tibet crazy transportation experiences, I think I can take care of myself in any kind of transportation. Riding my bicycle to nearby place is also good, reminded me the time in Nepal with Matthew too.
I danced many times, even I don’t dance in my home town. carimbó music is unique in Para and Amazonia states.
The RIVER made a deep impact to me when I walked to the beach and taste the water the first time…..sweet…it’s not ocean. And more unique thing is the touching with the River and the River, and River and the Sea.
There are Legends about the Rivers, dolphin’s story, very beautiful. I shall understand more and write more.
http://www.sumauma.net/amazonian/legends/legends-boto.html
Learning Portuguese is hard. But not that worse as I was forced to speak. Because I am living in somewhere with noone speaking English. Good or bad? Hard to tell, haha.
I watched a drama show in a Studio theatre by the Theater and dance students from the University. Very very beautiful studio theatre here. They cost me 5Rs, means HKD 21…there are 150 seats approximate. I know I am calculating again. But obviously they are not doing that for money. I was impressed and so happy that I proved myself right, the mental life here is more valuable for persons. I don’t mean people don’t need material and technology here. A good mobile phone, electronics, an air-conditioner at home is always luxury. That’s why crimes happen sometimes.
Wagner, my host is a very good man. As I Brazilian (or just a person) he is Beleza, good take care of his house, work and family. He cleaned all the rubbish outside of his house, just a very very good citizen. When I think he deserves a better life and might be he can go somewhere? I remembered Mateau in Rio, he told me, “why people always want to go to the big cities like Rio and Sao Paulo but do nothing or begging? They can do better and find chance to explore in their own cities, to develop their home (cities).” When he said that, there’s not persuasive enough, as he travels himself to Belem back to Rio, both not his places. But in Para, I am kind of understood more how it is important for the developing countries. It is different from China as the government starts to pay more money to “help” the cities. And businessmen in Asia and HK found China is a good investment place. Here, we have the Amazon, but…not for business I guess.
I like this place, although the mosquitoes love me more….
I am looking forward to live here for few more months and see the change of myself! And gaining more energy for the remaining months!
