One of the best classes I ever took was Social Psychology class at The University of Georgia. What I remember the most from this class was the idea of reality as a negotiation and the role lanuage played in this.
Every day we negotiate - I don't mean like bargin, or compromise. Negotiate more along the lines of navigate. People use lanuage to navigate life. A girl might be pissed at her dad for not remembering to pick her up. Rather than listen to a lame excuse she might say "WHATEVER." Well the meaning of what she said was negotiated. Her dad offered up something and she give her 'negotiated' meaning. Say the same pair pull up to toco bell. The dad is a gester of good well asks the girl what she would like and she responds "just whatever." Situation negoiated.
The same word two different meanings. That is how lanuage is negotiation in one case 'whatever' = you suck, don't talk to me and another 'whatever' = toco, gordita, mexican pizza, anything.
This idea is intresting, a little bit microscopic and nit picky, but I remembered the lesson so that must be worth somthing.
I think entire Lanuages negotiate meaning in much the same way people do. Take Spanish and English as an example: The word Burger. Burger is german from Hamburg (Where the hamburger was invited). Someone from Hamburg is called a Hamburger shorten the word and you have burger.
Well all the the meaning for Burger in English. In Spanish Burger also means hamburger but it can also mean Burger King. So they might say. Do you want to go to Burger for lunch? In this case the lanuages actually negotiated the meaning of the word. First from German to English then Spanish.
Why is all of this important and why would I spend my time writing about about this borning Sociological crap. Well here is your anwser. There is power in 'negotiating' a thing or idea. The United States generally are better and chaning the meaning of something than actually inventing the thing. By changing the meaning the "thing" becomes American - in spirit if not in orgin.
Take Democracy. Who is more 'democratic' U.S. or Greece? How about U.S. or Rome? In a cognative way, if you anwsered U.S. you are giving ownership of 'democracy' to the U.S. Nevermind weather one place has a direct democracy or an indrict, Forget hundreds of years vs. a few thousand.
There are a thousand of other examples.
I think the kind of 'precption is reality' state of the world affects the U.S. more so than any other country.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Fuera!
My relationship with words is really interesting especially a second language. I know the common conception of a word is to think of the word as a fact, data, or some bit of information. In the case of first languages I think that is a perfectly reasonable way to understand words. When you learn a second language, I think something in the brain is different. Words are no longer data they are little bits of life, experiences, moments, and tastes that are first passed through your emotional mind and then spread over the language you have. The richer the experience, the thicker the coating - the sweeter the taste, the more easily recalled the word. So when I'm learning Portuguese I'm not really learning a language. I'm piecing together a patchwork of my experience with Portuguese - that is how I remember the words. (I'm can't believe I'm referencing Eat Love Pray in regards to Lanuage learning) The scene where Julia Roberts is learning Italian with her lanuage teacher is a good example of this feeling.
The first time I "LEARNED" the Spanish word fuera was an emotional experiece I will never forget. Of course I had heard it many times before but this time the word sealed in my mind.
I was studying in Valencia Spain for a semester. This was basically The "Eye opening" experience for me. First time in another country, learning Spanish, different food, culture. So I was already experiening alot of new things none more shocking than the Bullfight.
About the middle of the trip we had a huge holiday for Easter (almost an entire month). During this time there was a bullfight, as is tradition. My expectation for a bullfight was kind of a mix of Madonna's Take a Bow and what I had seen on "When animals Attack TV shows" Well the bullfight was nothing like either of these things.
As ridiculous as it may sound, bullfighters brutally stab a huge animal and attempt to look graceful doing so. One element of the spectale that is hard to express is the absolute nearness of the brutality. I did not realize the size of bullfighting stadium. The arena is so small and closed. I had imagined we would be sitting in a place the size of basketball gym. Actually the feeling is more like sitting in a theater. At this range is is possible to see drops of blood, the edge of the blade, all the muscles on the animal. The absolute intensity of the spectacle is indiscrible. Seeing a bull slain is closest I can imagine to witnessing a murder. I was completely shocked by the experience and that is how I learned the word fuera.
In each bullfight there are typically 4 or 5 rounds. With the death of each bull a new bull enters and a new matador to kill him. On one occasion a bull entered. After being stabbed several times, the bull did not show the same fight as the other bulls. The crowd began chanting the word "Fuera, Fuera, Fuera!" After a few choral chants the bull was allowed to live. For the crowd to be dismissed was a disgrace for the bull - as if it were a honor to be unfairly killed. For me Fuera was a saving grace. Escape from an otherwise certain death. I will never forget this word b/c of the strong emotional feeling I had when I heard the crowd.
Yesterday I was so happy to see this word used in another way. Last night and today 33 miners that have been trapped for 69 days underground were being rescued. I don't want to tell the whole story basically it is a story of hope and inspiration. Around the site the families of the miners formed a camp (camp hope) in the desert to wait for the return of their loved ones. This camp was a huge vigil for the entire community and came to represent the collective hope of all of Chile.
Around the camp there were various banners. On of the banners said "Fuera Mineros" and you chould often hear the family members saying "Fuera" emploring for their loved ones to be take out of the mine. I couldn't help but thinking about the bullfight and the first time I learned this word. I am happy to say, one by one the minders were rescued. Much like the bull the miners were saved from a otherwise certain death. Fuera los dos.
The first time I "LEARNED" the Spanish word fuera was an emotional experiece I will never forget. Of course I had heard it many times before but this time the word sealed in my mind.
I was studying in Valencia Spain for a semester. This was basically The "Eye opening" experience for me. First time in another country, learning Spanish, different food, culture. So I was already experiening alot of new things none more shocking than the Bullfight.
About the middle of the trip we had a huge holiday for Easter (almost an entire month). During this time there was a bullfight, as is tradition. My expectation for a bullfight was kind of a mix of Madonna's Take a Bow and what I had seen on "When animals Attack TV shows" Well the bullfight was nothing like either of these things.
As ridiculous as it may sound, bullfighters brutally stab a huge animal and attempt to look graceful doing so. One element of the spectale that is hard to express is the absolute nearness of the brutality. I did not realize the size of bullfighting stadium. The arena is so small and closed. I had imagined we would be sitting in a place the size of basketball gym. Actually the feeling is more like sitting in a theater. At this range is is possible to see drops of blood, the edge of the blade, all the muscles on the animal. The absolute intensity of the spectacle is indiscrible. Seeing a bull slain is closest I can imagine to witnessing a murder. I was completely shocked by the experience and that is how I learned the word fuera.
In each bullfight there are typically 4 or 5 rounds. With the death of each bull a new bull enters and a new matador to kill him. On one occasion a bull entered. After being stabbed several times, the bull did not show the same fight as the other bulls. The crowd began chanting the word "Fuera, Fuera, Fuera!" After a few choral chants the bull was allowed to live. For the crowd to be dismissed was a disgrace for the bull - as if it were a honor to be unfairly killed. For me Fuera was a saving grace. Escape from an otherwise certain death. I will never forget this word b/c of the strong emotional feeling I had when I heard the crowd.
Yesterday I was so happy to see this word used in another way. Last night and today 33 miners that have been trapped for 69 days underground were being rescued. I don't want to tell the whole story basically it is a story of hope and inspiration. Around the site the families of the miners formed a camp (camp hope) in the desert to wait for the return of their loved ones. This camp was a huge vigil for the entire community and came to represent the collective hope of all of Chile.
Around the camp there were various banners. On of the banners said "Fuera Mineros" and you chould often hear the family members saying "Fuera" emploring for their loved ones to be take out of the mine. I couldn't help but thinking about the bullfight and the first time I learned this word. I am happy to say, one by one the minders were rescued. Much like the bull the miners were saved from a otherwise certain death. Fuera los dos.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
In Brazil I pound the pavement...no really I do
When I think of cultural differences between Brazil and the US there are so many that come to me - all the typical things you notice when you travel. I don't want to write about those things. I want to write about the mundane, the boring, the lowest of the low. The sidewalk.
First let me start by saying I don't walk much in the US. I have lived in many cities and outside of University walking has never been a part of my daily life - I never thought about sidewalks in the US. So you would think my experience with sidewalks would not be blog worthy. Actually I think one good characteristic of a good sidewalk is that you don't have to think about it. You can walk with peace of mind that the ground below your feet will be predictable, consistent, and safe. In 95% of the cases in the U.S. where there are sidewalks this is the case so I never spent much time thinking about them.
In Brazil (at least in Porto Alegre where I live) the sidewalk situation is an daily pain both literally and figuratively. Honestly I wonder to myself if American sidewalk builders are working with an unfair advantage b/c the Brazilian sidewalks do not fit any of the characteristics of a sidewalk. Lets look at each issue separately:
1) Flatness - In this aspect the sidewalks in Porto Alegre, and I suspect all of Brazil, are an utter failure. The sidewalks are made of ceramic tiles (as apposed to concrete slabs in the U.S.). Each tile is subject to changes of elevation, angle, composition, texture, and various other factors. The end result is the the sidewalk varies as a result of the ground as apposed to the remaining constant.
2) Straightness - In this regard the sidewalks are acceptable however often there are so many obstacles (trash, cars, chairs from restaurants, dog poo, people) that you are not able to walk in a straight line.
3) Consistency - Once again the sidewalks fail in this regard. On my block for example there are at least 5 different building materials for the side walk. It appears that each individual has been left to decide how to maintain their sidewalk (this is not the case) and that everyone has choose a side walk material that suits their own individual needs. There are rocks, many types of tile, bricks, concrete, and sand in a one block distance.
4) Cleanliness - I mentioned this above but it bears repeating. The side walks are so dirty it is ridiculous when compared to American sidewalks. Basically everyone in the city puts their trash on the sidewalk for collection and then there are various people (city workers, people who collect trash to sell, homeless) that rummage through the trash. Naturally much of the trash ends up in the street and sidewalk. Also there are people who live at particular sidewalk "hotpots." Needless to say not clean.
5) Traffic - Wow. Americans don't walk and it is a problem however if you are an American and you want to walk you are in heaven b/c you have full access to amazing sidewalks. I remember walking in downtown Fort Worth a few months ago and I only passed someone every few blocks and didn't have to change my path b/c the sidewalk was so wide. In Brazil there are 10X the number of people walking on sidewalks that are smaller and of lower quality.
The end result for me has been to live in a constant state of minor foot/leg pain. I trip and fall more than necessary and now something new has developed. I often have the uncontrollable (I do manage to control myself, how I do not know) urge shove people out of my way. I don't want to hurt them or even bother them I just want to shove them just so I will not be impeded/slowed while walking. I just want to push them and pass and they continue on with there cell conversation and not even notice what happened.
"American pushes future President Dilma" I can see the headline now. Blame it on the sidewalk. I have been spoiled by American neatness, lines, and industrial perfectionism.
First let me start by saying I don't walk much in the US. I have lived in many cities and outside of University walking has never been a part of my daily life - I never thought about sidewalks in the US. So you would think my experience with sidewalks would not be blog worthy. Actually I think one good characteristic of a good sidewalk is that you don't have to think about it. You can walk with peace of mind that the ground below your feet will be predictable, consistent, and safe. In 95% of the cases in the U.S. where there are sidewalks this is the case so I never spent much time thinking about them.
In Brazil (at least in Porto Alegre where I live) the sidewalk situation is an daily pain both literally and figuratively. Honestly I wonder to myself if American sidewalk builders are working with an unfair advantage b/c the Brazilian sidewalks do not fit any of the characteristics of a sidewalk. Lets look at each issue separately:
1) Flatness - In this aspect the sidewalks in Porto Alegre, and I suspect all of Brazil, are an utter failure. The sidewalks are made of ceramic tiles (as apposed to concrete slabs in the U.S.). Each tile is subject to changes of elevation, angle, composition, texture, and various other factors. The end result is the the sidewalk varies as a result of the ground as apposed to the remaining constant.
2) Straightness - In this regard the sidewalks are acceptable however often there are so many obstacles (trash, cars, chairs from restaurants, dog poo, people) that you are not able to walk in a straight line.
3) Consistency - Once again the sidewalks fail in this regard. On my block for example there are at least 5 different building materials for the side walk. It appears that each individual has been left to decide how to maintain their sidewalk (this is not the case) and that everyone has choose a side walk material that suits their own individual needs. There are rocks, many types of tile, bricks, concrete, and sand in a one block distance.
4) Cleanliness - I mentioned this above but it bears repeating. The side walks are so dirty it is ridiculous when compared to American sidewalks. Basically everyone in the city puts their trash on the sidewalk for collection and then there are various people (city workers, people who collect trash to sell, homeless) that rummage through the trash. Naturally much of the trash ends up in the street and sidewalk. Also there are people who live at particular sidewalk "hotpots." Needless to say not clean.
5) Traffic - Wow. Americans don't walk and it is a problem however if you are an American and you want to walk you are in heaven b/c you have full access to amazing sidewalks. I remember walking in downtown Fort Worth a few months ago and I only passed someone every few blocks and didn't have to change my path b/c the sidewalk was so wide. In Brazil there are 10X the number of people walking on sidewalks that are smaller and of lower quality.
The end result for me has been to live in a constant state of minor foot/leg pain. I trip and fall more than necessary and now something new has developed. I often have the uncontrollable (I do manage to control myself, how I do not know) urge shove people out of my way. I don't want to hurt them or even bother them I just want to shove them just so I will not be impeded/slowed while walking. I just want to push them and pass and they continue on with there cell conversation and not even notice what happened.
"American pushes future President Dilma" I can see the headline now. Blame it on the sidewalk. I have been spoiled by American neatness, lines, and industrial perfectionism.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Eat Love Pray
Last night I watched "Eat Love Pray" with Mariana and a coworker. I have to say I was a bit skeptipal b/c it is 1) A chick flick, 2) Based on a book, 3) Has Julia Roberts in a staring role. None of these factors make a movie bad necessarily but the combination of the three tend to = over hyped and doesn't live up to anyone expectations. I mean when has a Julia Roberts role not named Pretty Woman been better than expected, when has a chick flick pleasantly surprised, and when has a movie ever been better than the book. Needless to say I had my doubts.
It was good. I don't think it will be for everyone but I liked it.
The main themes of the movie were, Travel, Love, Food, Culture and Self discovery. All of these things speak to me. I have made many journeys like the one in the movie.
The main thing I took away from the movie was the interesting connection between Love and Travel. I do believe (with only my own personal experience as evidence) that there is a major connection between love and travel.
Maybe our minds are more open to the world when we travel and then love arrives. Or maybe others can see our vaurnablity and seek to help and guide us during travels. Or maybe it could be that in need of love people naturally seek it out much like an animal will roam for food. I don't really know why the connection exists but I most certainly believe that to travel is to promote love.
There was one scene in the movie (I won't spoil it for everyone) where Julia Roberts love interest ask her to get on a boat with him for a weekend trip, just the two of them. This scene really demonstrates the connection between love and travel. He was not just asking her to go he was asking for a confirmation of love and a strengthening of their relationship.
I hope when everyone watches this movie they don't walk away thinking that Americans are rich, or that when life gets bad you should seek out a Guru in Bali or India. I really hope people don't leave this movie wanting to take extravagant trips to faraway places to be closer to God. I hope when people watch this movie they walk away with the idea that when you love someone you travel with them, or you travel for them, or you travel to them.
If you still don’t believe in the link between love and travel then why are foreign accents so hot? And why are vacations with loved ones the best part of any year?
It was good. I don't think it will be for everyone but I liked it.
The main themes of the movie were, Travel, Love, Food, Culture and Self discovery. All of these things speak to me. I have made many journeys like the one in the movie.
The main thing I took away from the movie was the interesting connection between Love and Travel. I do believe (with only my own personal experience as evidence) that there is a major connection between love and travel.
Maybe our minds are more open to the world when we travel and then love arrives. Or maybe others can see our vaurnablity and seek to help and guide us during travels. Or maybe it could be that in need of love people naturally seek it out much like an animal will roam for food. I don't really know why the connection exists but I most certainly believe that to travel is to promote love.
There was one scene in the movie (I won't spoil it for everyone) where Julia Roberts love interest ask her to get on a boat with him for a weekend trip, just the two of them. This scene really demonstrates the connection between love and travel. He was not just asking her to go he was asking for a confirmation of love and a strengthening of their relationship.
I hope when everyone watches this movie they don't walk away thinking that Americans are rich, or that when life gets bad you should seek out a Guru in Bali or India. I really hope people don't leave this movie wanting to take extravagant trips to faraway places to be closer to God. I hope when people watch this movie they walk away with the idea that when you love someone you travel with them, or you travel for them, or you travel to them.
If you still don’t believe in the link between love and travel then why are foreign accents so hot? And why are vacations with loved ones the best part of any year?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Brazil is Calling
Recently I have been reading blogs about Brazil and I thought I would pay the good deed that they have done forward.I get so much enjoyment from reading others experiences and I'm glad they take time to share. So I decided to start writing in my blog again and I hope it will last longer than a few days.
My life has taken a few interesting turns since I started this blog in Argentina. I got married. Mariana has become the best part of my life and that has spread to every other part of my life. I don't think I have ever been happier.
Professionally I have not advanced with the success that I had anticipated. I have been planning to be a teacher for the past two years. Despite my best efforts to gain certification and a teaching job I have not been able to do it. Rather than dwell on the on a failure I have decided to put this plan on pause and allow myself to realize success does not have to have a time line in this case.
Currently I am making preparations to go back to South America again. I spent about 3 months last year in Porto Alegre with Mariana. I left looking for a teaching job in Dallas and that didn't work. This time I planing on following Suze Orman's advice: People first, then money, then things.
Being in Brazil makes good since personally and professionally. First off I get to be with Mariana and happy in Brazil and I will get the chance to gain some much needed work experience.
So with all that in mind with a open heart to the things that will happen. I don't think I have been so excited about to knowing what would happen. I also think the reason why I can be excited is b/c I know I have Mariana with me and that is about all I really need to know.
My life has taken a few interesting turns since I started this blog in Argentina. I got married. Mariana has become the best part of my life and that has spread to every other part of my life. I don't think I have ever been happier.
Professionally I have not advanced with the success that I had anticipated. I have been planning to be a teacher for the past two years. Despite my best efforts to gain certification and a teaching job I have not been able to do it. Rather than dwell on the on a failure I have decided to put this plan on pause and allow myself to realize success does not have to have a time line in this case.
Currently I am making preparations to go back to South America again. I spent about 3 months last year in Porto Alegre with Mariana. I left looking for a teaching job in Dallas and that didn't work. This time I planing on following Suze Orman's advice: People first, then money, then things.
Being in Brazil makes good since personally and professionally. First off I get to be with Mariana and happy in Brazil and I will get the chance to gain some much needed work experience.
So with all that in mind with a open heart to the things that will happen. I don't think I have been so excited about to knowing what would happen. I also think the reason why I can be excited is b/c I know I have Mariana with me and that is about all I really need to know.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tango List Final
So the trip is over. There are some things I did not manage to do. I never sent the post cards that I wrote, I did not get to visit every city in Argentina, I missed going to Uruguay, I still have not skydived (do to financial reasons). With everything I missed I learned a lot along the way. Setting goals is good. Writing about the things you do makes them that much better. The most important lesson I have gained from everything is that you must keep the sense of adventure alive in yourself. No one is going to take you out there you have to get out there and do it yourself. That is what makes a place yours. For now on I have a new perspective that I am going to take with me to New York. I'm going to approach every place like I did Argentina - with an adventure's spirit. After all what makes an adventure is not what you do - it is the attitude you approach it with. Happy Trails!
Ok...back to the real world
So I'm back in the United States. The past couple of days I have been hanging out with my cousin in Houston, TX. I have been awaiting word on how I'm going to get money and where I go from here. Everything is working out well. Today I found out that I will start a job in New York about 40 minutes north of the city. I'm really excited about this new possibility. I think it comes at a perfect time for me, a perfect time of my life and right after a really great experience. I will be working with a life long friend and mentor and I'm sure we will do great things together. I can only imagine the places I will go. Speaking with him today he already has lectures planned in Chicago, West point, and New York City. I would love to go camping in the spring in upstate New York, Canada, on the Coast. If anyone is in or around New York consider this an invitation to visit for a couple of day. Just let me know a couple of days in advance so I can clean the place up ;)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Packing (15 days)
I started packing today. I have about two weeks before I have to go to the airport but I wanted to get a jump on the packing. I got a new duffel bag in the mail for my birthday so I tryed some pre packing to get some kind of idea what I could bring along. Looks like I will be pushing the limit of my baggage allowance. I'm afraid I will be forced to do something that everyone advises aginist: packing too much
I have given some thought to this and here is the issue I can never get over. I have to weigh (no pun intended) the inconvience of carrying extra items around with the price it would cost to replace the same items in the place I am going. Now this noramlly shouldn't be a very big issue except I have two things two things to consider: I am traveling internationally and I have a very limited budget. So replacing things is more expensive or impossible and the price of everything is subject to exchange rates and transaction fees. If I were going to California for example I could pretty much guess the price of a warm blanket. You cannot do this internationally. Some things are not avaliable, high quality items could be exponintally more expensive, and american products sometimes bring double the price. So that super warm fleace blanket that is perfect for some many things is forced to take up room in your bag (or attached to it).
While I was packing my things I started to think of all the moves I have made in the past 5 to 7 years and it is really amazing. Here are a list of some of the places I have moved to and from...not to mention all the packing it took.
Warner Robins to Athens
Athens to Dorm 1, 2, 3, 4,
Valencia, Barcalona, Madrid Back to Athens
Athens to Valdosta
Valdosta to Alabama
Alabama to Fort Worh
Fort Worth to Houston
Houston to Argentina
Argentina: Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, Usuhuia, Califate
Argentina to New York
New York to Tennessee
Tennessee to Brazil
I am so tired of moving. I don't mean going to other place, I love that. I am tired of going from one place to the next with all the things I own stuffed in little boxes or in my backpack.
So....I have some settling news, A few days ago I got an e mail from the Dallas city schools about a teacher certification program I applyed for a few months ago. They have processed my application and my transcripts have been approved. So I guess this would kinda but like the pre approval phase of the process. I still have a ways to go but this is a good first step. The job, if it get it, is teaching bilingual elementry children PreK - 4 the grade. The pay is very good, full benfits, retirement the whole nine yards. Even better is if you are approved for the program and complete the training you are garenteed a job in the Dallas ISD. The down side would be that I am obligated to teach for one full school year in Dallas and I am not allowed to select my school assignment.
I'm gonna go of it if I am offered the opportunity. If only to save me from moving for one full year.
I have given some thought to this and here is the issue I can never get over. I have to weigh (no pun intended) the inconvience of carrying extra items around with the price it would cost to replace the same items in the place I am going. Now this noramlly shouldn't be a very big issue except I have two things two things to consider: I am traveling internationally and I have a very limited budget. So replacing things is more expensive or impossible and the price of everything is subject to exchange rates and transaction fees. If I were going to California for example I could pretty much guess the price of a warm blanket. You cannot do this internationally. Some things are not avaliable, high quality items could be exponintally more expensive, and american products sometimes bring double the price. So that super warm fleace blanket that is perfect for some many things is forced to take up room in your bag (or attached to it).
While I was packing my things I started to think of all the moves I have made in the past 5 to 7 years and it is really amazing. Here are a list of some of the places I have moved to and from...not to mention all the packing it took.
Warner Robins to Athens
Athens to Dorm 1, 2, 3, 4,
Valencia, Barcalona, Madrid Back to Athens
Athens to Valdosta
Valdosta to Alabama
Alabama to Fort Worh
Fort Worth to Houston
Houston to Argentina
Argentina: Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, Usuhuia, Califate
Argentina to New York
New York to Tennessee
Tennessee to Brazil
I am so tired of moving. I don't mean going to other place, I love that. I am tired of going from one place to the next with all the things I own stuffed in little boxes or in my backpack.
So....I have some settling news, A few days ago I got an e mail from the Dallas city schools about a teacher certification program I applyed for a few months ago. They have processed my application and my transcripts have been approved. So I guess this would kinda but like the pre approval phase of the process. I still have a ways to go but this is a good first step. The job, if it get it, is teaching bilingual elementry children PreK - 4 the grade. The pay is very good, full benfits, retirement the whole nine yards. Even better is if you are approved for the program and complete the training you are garenteed a job in the Dallas ISD. The down side would be that I am obligated to teach for one full school year in Dallas and I am not allowed to select my school assignment.
I'm gonna go of it if I am offered the opportunity. If only to save me from moving for one full year.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Brazil - The United States of South America
Well I wanted to write a post about the place I'm going. Not really for me, more for the people following along my little vourney so they will have an idea of the culatural backdrop.So here is a hodgepodge, a smattering, a pulpurii of facts about Brazil.Brazil is not unlike the United States in many ways. Geographically Brazil is the size of the United States (minus Alaska). Brazil is rich in natural resourses (natual gas, oil, dimods, timber, cattel, coffee). One thing to keep in mind in much the same way the US varries greatly from one region so too does Brazil. The majority of Brazil's populations is concentrated along the cost and in major cities centers. The typical imagie of people living among the tropical rainforest as subsistance farmer is simply not the case. Brazil is among the world leaders in develop economies as evidenced by the fact that Brazil was the only country that did not slip into recession during the recent economic downturn. By and large Brazil operated more independly than any other country in South America. Brazil does not depend of forgin oil. Not only is Brazil one of the world leading produces of oil - 90% of the cars in Brazil operate on biofuel. Think about that. Imagine not only an oil independent U.S. imagine producing a surplus - this is the reality in Brazil and this is a large reason Brazil has one of the most stable and productive economies in the world. Socially Brazil is a very diverse coutry. The mega city of Sao Paulo (approaching 20 million) is the economic center. Rio de Janiero the cultural/turistic center and Brazillia the administrative center. Rio recently won the 2016 olympic bid but I will save that for another post.
Rio 2016
Portal Rio 2016 | MySpace Video
Brazil is unique in its social/racial composition. Brazil truly does have influcences for all over the world. Through out its history Brazil has been influced by Europeans, Africans, Asians, and Indigious populations. All these peoples have mixed both socially and racailly to creation a population that is both tolerante and diverse. Equality remains a prolbem.
Brazilians speak Portugese. On a very basic level Spanish and Portugese are similar. However on a mico level Portugese is quite different in pornunciation, structure, vocabulary - everything. Suprisingly Portugese do not frequently learn Spanish dispite the shared Latin base. English is the most commonly studied second lanuage. Here is where I come in. There is a desperate need for English teachers in Brazil. In order to keep pace with the economic growth business frequently hire native English speakers to teach Brazilian busness people to both lanuage and culture. As Brazil becomes a growing econominc power, regionally and globally, the demad of English teachers has outpaced supply. I hope to land a job working for a company teaching exectuives on the verge of business trips. If not there are many oppertunities to teach english to students both privetly and in lanuage schools.
The amazing thing about Brazil is its uniqueness unites the country. Brazil's unique culture and lanuage and huge geographic resources serve as a base for solidarity. Brazil is distincte from the neighboring Spanish speaking countries both economically and culturally. In this way Brazil reminds me much of the idealic United States. Brazil is doing it own thing much is the same way the United States did its own thing. The results look promising. Brazil is defently on the rise and has ambitions to become what the U.S. once was - a political and economic powerhouse.
Rio 2016
Portal Rio 2016 | MySpace Video
Brazil is unique in its social/racial composition. Brazil truly does have influcences for all over the world. Through out its history Brazil has been influced by Europeans, Africans, Asians, and Indigious populations. All these peoples have mixed both socially and racailly to creation a population that is both tolerante and diverse. Equality remains a prolbem.
Brazilians speak Portugese. On a very basic level Spanish and Portugese are similar. However on a mico level Portugese is quite different in pornunciation, structure, vocabulary - everything. Suprisingly Portugese do not frequently learn Spanish dispite the shared Latin base. English is the most commonly studied second lanuage. Here is where I come in. There is a desperate need for English teachers in Brazil. In order to keep pace with the economic growth business frequently hire native English speakers to teach Brazilian busness people to both lanuage and culture. As Brazil becomes a growing econominc power, regionally and globally, the demad of English teachers has outpaced supply. I hope to land a job working for a company teaching exectuives on the verge of business trips. If not there are many oppertunities to teach english to students both privetly and in lanuage schools.
The amazing thing about Brazil is its uniqueness unites the country. Brazil's unique culture and lanuage and huge geographic resources serve as a base for solidarity. Brazil is distincte from the neighboring Spanish speaking countries both economically and culturally. In this way Brazil reminds me much of the idealic United States. Brazil is doing it own thing much is the same way the United States did its own thing. The results look promising. Brazil is defently on the rise and has ambitions to become what the U.S. once was - a political and economic powerhouse.
Not all who wonder are lost
Well I guess I'm just not one to stay in the same place for very long. The road is calling me, and I must have free nights and weekends b/c I have to anwser. The whole reason I started this blog over a year ago was to force me to think about the places I go and to "stop and smell the roses." Well I can say, I have learned to do that - maybe too good. I was thinking the other day about travel and I started to wonder if travel is a natural thing? Is moving from place to place something natural to humans? Is it possible that the hunter and gather's of history passed on a travel gene? I think it is possible. Travel is part of life and I think it will be forever - like food and water for the mind and soul. Let me tell a story to make the point:A couple of weeks ago I quit my job at Crackel Brarrel b/c I had earned enough to go to Brazil and I was tired of waiting tables. It is hard to be motivated after you know your only goal for a job is complete. Well I went to talk to the mamager, Janice, to tell her I wasn't coming back. We had a long conversation about travel, working in a resturant, and Brazil. Well in the middle of the conversation she said to me "I have never been anywhere." She said it like a confession. Like she was telling me she wasn't really complete - well that is how I heard it. I felt so sad at that moment. Not b/c she hasn't traveled but b/c she could never know what she was missing until she traveled. Somehow at that moment in the resturant, with all the sounds of food cooking and plates moving around the kitchen, all I heard was slience realizing how empty my life without travel would be.Travel must be innate to humans. If not the poor little cavemen would have just stayed in the same spot when all the animals, berries, and nuts dryed up.
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