Ouro Preto ( black gold)

 

This last week I went tothe city of Ouro Preto with my family. The colonial town  was founded in 1697 by the Portuguese and was named Vila Rica. In the 1700's the town was mined for gold. When all the gold was mined the Portuguese left and went back to Portugal, leaving behind everything. 

Today the economy is based upon tourism, since many beautiful colonial buildings still remain, including igrejas (churches), and small lojas(stores). Ouro Preto is located in Minas Gerais 2 hours West of Belo Horizonte. 

 While we were visiting the colonial town we entered a historical mint factory. Above there is picture of the coins that were first made by the Portuguese, today these have no value since the real is now used.

The understanding of most conversations and situations has become easier, the language is on the tip of my tongue and I want to speak all of my feelings. In a few weeks or so being able to speak more fluently will not be such a challenge. Right now the language is something like a puzzle to me, words are all around and picking and choosing where they go or what they mean is the puzzle. I have been watching Dora the Explorer and other learning shows for kids because they repeat words and speak very clearly. 

Today I went for a jog with my mom we had a conversation about when she left her home,  married and then had her two daughters. 

Last week elections were held for prefeito of BG(mayor.) Leonardo Quintao and Marcio Lacerda tied in the election, due to this another election is going to be on the 26th of October. 

Tomorrow is Ludmilla's birthday, she will be 11 years old. She is my youngest sister and is a delight to be around. I brought her a hula skirt from Hawaii, a shirt from the Hard Rock Cafe, a moose magnet and a mosquito trap.

During this adventurous time in my life. a better family couldn't have been selected for me. They are tremendous people, and I feel like one of the family. Since I look Brazillian most people can't tell us apart, until the language pops out of my mouth.

Oh and I encountered an amazing thing last night as well as, a tremendous feat, I dreamt in Portuguese!!!!! Parts of my dream were in English but the rest of what can be remembered was in Portuguese. The thing about it, was speaking in my head wasn't difficult it was almost as if it came naturally. Feeling like I have made progress and knowing that the language is in my grasp is what keeps me most happiest. Priorities in my life have changed now since moving to Brazil. The little things in life make me really happy such as; learning a new word and being able to use it in a sentence without any help. Saying commands and hoping they are right, and when they are I sigh with relief. Watching other people live their lives normally as I am in a world with every aspect different than how I was raised.

I could be rich, poor, middle class, but I would still have my joys, sadnesses and loves. Observing these people I find we are all the same, most of us face the same challenges everyday and we move on and grow. 

Well its time to go watch the futebol game Cruzeiro vs. Atletico

 tchau

My Sisters Language School and etc.

One of the main differences I have seen while staying in Brazil is whatever I seem to buy usually has been made right here in Brazil from things such as clothes to toothpaste. Truthfully, I have not seen one product from China. They support their economy tremendously which keeps everything running smoothly. I haven't traveled a lot in the United States so I am not sure if this is a difference, but many of the poorer people collect tin cans and bottles lying on the side of the roads, and then turn them into a recycling center because it is a good way for them to make a little money. The wealthy seem to be very generous in helping the poorer people; who are selling things at street lights, giving a little money for cleaning and washing cars as well as other things that can be done.

This last week I went to my sister's English class and talked to the kids about where I live and how I actually don't live in an igloo, in fact I have never seen one besides in films and the ones I have made with my friends. Their teacher had me talk in English for them because she wanted them to hear what our language sounds like. In exchange they asked me questions in Portuguese such as; Do you like your family? Do you like your sisters? Just little questions like these. It was a really good experience because we were on the same level they needed help with my language and I need help with theirs, we struggled to talk to each other but our points were made clear. 

 Well the first month is over, I have been here in Brazil for a month 1 week and a day and it's going better than I ever could have imagined.