Back in Boston

Hello from a snowy Boston! It was very pleased to return on Monday afternoon to warm weather, finding rain rather than snow. I apparently missed a few bad storms, but it's now catching up with me. After the break, I find the snow that's been creating a blanket over the city today welcoming, calming and beautiful... but it is definitely getting colder.

I have a lot to tell about camp, but missed my first week of classes and am jumping back in so will have to wait until I have a handle on my new schedule and courses until I can write more. I spent a good deal of time journaling, however, so I hope to share this with you.

I can tell you now, though, that one of the reasons I haven't been on as much (other than simply not having internet access) has been a security issue. During orientation, I heard first and second-hand stories from the area of Brazil we were staying in of kidnappings and armed robberies (in people's homes) and it posed a serious threat to reveal that I was at a site in the country with a large group of affluent kids. CLV has a direct connection with IBM so a lot of the students' parents work for the company and I did not want to put any of the villagers - or staff - at risk by giving away too much information.

Camp in general was also a lot different from what I expected. The staff had all lived abroad and spoke other languages, many of them with CLV experience (some in Minnesota, some at the Hometown locations in Europe and Brazil). Like CLV's other programs, we ran a language immersion-based program with time for singing and language classes twice a day, but it also had a business theme, teaching the kids (ages 9-16 with a generally high level of ability) to use practical English. The villagers only attended for a one-week session at a time, but during this time, they created a small city of sorts, called Simtown, with five branches: City Council, Fine Arts Council, the Media, Parks and Recreation and the Chamber of Commerce. We held elections with speeches and a town hall style meeting (covered by the media and for which the Fine Arts Council was hired to do election posters). The Chamber of Commerce made food to sell, Parks and Rec planned events with entrance fees, the Fine Arts Council took orders and came up with projects that we needed to write grant proposals to get money for. The kids did it all with the staff helping mostly with language and in a support/mentorship role. They even paid taxes and levied tariffs on things like not using English in activities. Each branch had a senator, spokesperson and accountant/treasurer who figured out wages based on participation.

Truly incredible and I think the kids gained a lot. I certainly did as a staff member, as well.

Like the other villages, we also held nightly evening programs focused on cultural themes: State Fair, the Wild West (I ran an Oregon Trail simulation with some others), Homecoming (which became a fashion show when it rained), Halloween (incorporated into a Clue-themed scavenger hunt) and immigration (all steps of the process, with attention paid to difficulties incurred by those with different SES).

The first week, we had about three counselors to four kids in each cabin, with eight kids to two counselors the second week. Living with Brazilian kids, I learned a lot about cultural differences (like that Brazilians like to "bathe" several times a day, even if it is for a few minutes... different from the US and difficult with ten people to a shower), but the experience also reenforced how many common traits we truly have as members of our global community (and how kids are really just kids... anywhere).

And finally, the food. Many hated it. I loved it... and came back with a few extra pounds to prove it. But it was worth it. Missing the cheese and bread already!

As I am back in school mode, I actually need to get going to get some reading done. My best friend is coming in from Minnesota for the weekend so I'm trying to plan ahead (and am now finally caught up on sleep), but thank you to those of you following along and I hope to be able to share more soon... especially so I can capture some of the more detailed memories and moments while they are still potent. Brazil in general was magical, but also so grateful I had the opportunity to participate in the Hometown program (and would do it again in a heartbeat).

Until next time... chow! - b

Back in tiny, beautiful Cebreuva. Its pouring outside, typical of the unpredictable, sub-tropical rains that come as fast as they go, as if they were a simple breeze. The colorful buildings surrounding the square across from the internet cafe and stone streets shine under the streetlights as groups of men and boys stand in groups sprinkled around the square. Im hot in my tshirt and capris, but Ive just washed my clothes on the stone washboard at the resort/site and hung them to dry on the railings, banisters and balconies of my cottage so I can pack for my trip home tomorrow so this is all I have. I feel at ease and peaceful, although very tired.

Weve just finished our last week at camp. Time flew. I could have blinked and it would have crept by, except there are too many posters, projects and memories from the amazing and wonderful group of kids to deny the experience. Im ready to go home... but so happy I came.

This is my one hour on the net for the week and the last I will have in Brazil. I will update more soon (as I have said before) and plan to let pictures tell the stories if I do not have time to share the words.

I am exhausted and will need to hit the ground running when I return to Boston (class the same day), but I wanted to check in to tell you all that things are going well. The camp is packed and we are hopefully ending the day with a staff campfire at our makeshift home tonight. Its been an incredible week. Very different from my Norwegian camp experiences (my other CLV), but also fantastic in its own right.

For those of you that sent birthday wishes, I will also thank you all and get back to you individually in due time but - in general, THANK YOU- and I can tell you now that the day was extroidinary on so many levels: hiking with wonderful people, swimming in waterfalls, Brazilian BBQ (possibly one of the best 3 meals of my life), a distillery tour and an expectantly touching, ejoyable and special trip to the local orphanage (which I wish I could have gone back to once more). Literally could not have requested a better agenda.

I am off to meet others for pizza before heading back so - until next time - I will leave you all with warm wishes and kind regards from tiny, little alligator town.

Hello from beautiful, tiny Cebreuva in Southern Brazil!

We just finished a session and am feeling the CLV magic x 100 (kicked in day 3 as I was literally covered in gold eyeshadow and dressed as a vampire, searching for a CLUE murderer with a group of 10 year olds...

Today we did our closing program and I almost cried saying goodbye to some of my students, which I definitely didnt think would happen after just a week. Then I moved houses, cleaned up, prepared my evening program and some lessons for next week... and went into town to hit up a grocery store (since I definitely want to bring some of the treats Ive discovered home but will essentially go straight to the airport when I leave here next week) and relax with some coworkers. Now for some coveted internet time (about an hour for the week) before dinner.

I will obviously explain everything later, but for a glimse, here is a website that was created for the parents (and somehow gets updated)... http://hometownbrazil.villagepages.org/

In short, its pouring outside and its terribly hot (wish I had packed the sundressed!) but I am having a fantastic time. In the last two days Ive found myself dressed as a southern soujerner, faking an accent with dyed blonde hair and writing lyrics to Beyonce songs with Brazilian adolescentas. Bizarre, but so fulfilling. I will say, however, that isolation from the world is a strange thing and I find it ironic that we are here to expand the worlds of Brazilian kids worlds while we remain naive of what is going on in reality. I just found out about Haiti. I just checked in with my parents for the first time in 2 weeks.

But while I have a lot of pressure on me and am very busy, I also find myseld feeling so lucky for this experience and glimse into this culture and the lives of the people here who maybe experience things slightly different than what I was raised with.

The more places I go, the more questions I have and the more I see the similarities.

Tomorrow is our day off so Ill be going on a jungle trekk in the morning along with some other small adventures. I am incredibly excited (despite how tired I really am - in a good way) and hope that all of you are also doing well. Pictures, stories and more to come in a week or so - probably from Boston. Ill be hitting the ground running (classes start now) so it might take some time, but until then, besos. -b

Camp!

Hey!

Well, Im here, Im safe... and I have no internet.

Ill try to check in next week when I can come to town again, but I literally only have 15 minutes now and need to send my 21 year old brother a birthday email instead of pasting in my blog.

Talk to you all soon! xo

Volunteer

Before I go and on a random note, here are some volunteer opportunities that some other people at the hostel are doing to do little trips to different areas around the world (ways to see, stay, experience on a short budget or quest for adventure)

helpex.net

wwoof.org

Englightening Breakfast

Sitting at breakfast with the CLV people. An eclectic mix. Many have worked at Hometown Europe. One girl worked at German for a while and the other at Spanish. One guy just finished college at Penn State and is on the beginning of an unknown journey around South America. Some speak Portuguese; most of us don't. New role model in one woman, a nurse from OR, who has done so much and lives a very international, inspiring life.

The bus was changed from 10 to 4, so have some extra time. Found a cheap guitar, though.

Here are some tidbits...

Among discussions of favorite books, documentaries and experiences (interesting icebreaker), some passed on words of wisdom...

Ag mendito
Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

To deliver a whole person care, it takes a whole person. And until one shows up, we'll use a team. - part of Parsley's hospice department

The best way to predict your future is to create it.

Don't do anything you can't explain to 12 stranger.

Go in with a plan, but don't expect to use it. - Nursing prof in Oregon

Don't raise your voice, improve your arguments. - Desmond Tutu

The night is drawing nigh - how long the road is. But, for all the time the journey has already taken, how you have needed every econd of it in order to learn waht the roead passes-by. -Dag Hammerskjold

Drink coffee. Do stupid things faster, with more energy.

Everything will be OK in the end. If it's not OK, it's not the end.

It is better to experience things than have things - Parsley
Experiencing things is having things - Becca

So far, the group is working well together and think it'll make a good team. Looking forward to orientation and the program today!

Sao Paulo and Potential Away Message

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say I'm safely in Sao Paulo.  I met a few of my coworkers today and we're heading out tomorrow morning to the site, about 45 minutes out of town, after running some errands and buying final supplies.

I'm still partial to Rio, but Sao Paulo (the world's 2nd largest city and largest metropolis, with about 29 million people with the surrounding areas) is interesting.  Explored a lot yesterday - including seeing an amazing exhibit at MASP, the park downtown, Paulista Avenue, the Japanese area, the Cathedral and then going out in the Replublica area at night - and today I also gained perspective from some of my new colleagues, who have spent time here.

Much to come, but if I can't post soon (might not have the net for about a week), here's a little glimpse.

Cheers to Paulista Avenue - SP's main street!

Refuge from the City - a small native forest park in the middle of Paulista

called the Parque Siqueira Campos (or Tianon).  It was named after a

garden in Versailles... can't say there is much resemblance, however.

Liberdade, the Japanese part of town (SP has the world's largest Japanese

population outside of Japan).  The Brazilian-Japanese immigration museum

was closed, but I had fun looking around.  Was surprised that almost everyone working

here spoke Chinese, though (not nihongo) and also by the stalls with fakes, etc...

The cathedral in the rain

Some of the other people from camp. 

One a random note, the girl in the first row, second from the left ("Grace") 

actually went to the same uni as me, graduated the same year, 

we were Jr Counselor's at CLV at the same time (when we were 17), she's worked 

in Bemidji, MN for most of the time I was working at camp 

there (years ago, but still...) and she's been traveling a lot since. 

Might go to BC next year. Very parallel paths for someone I've never met!