Oi

We are on a bus right now, leaving Iguazu Falls and going to Maringa which is in Parana, Brazil. I should be studying right now – learning some of the Portuguese basics, but just like my students I’d much rather procrastinate when possible. We are so relieved to be in Brazil. It was a massive headache getting the visa to come here, and we were very nervous because we had only 90 days after the date of issue of the visa to use it. If we did not enter Brazil within 90 days (of August) then it would no longer be valid. But luckily everything worked out without too much difficulty and now as I type I am looking out the window at the beautiful countryside of Brazil. I feel a sense of culture-shock for the second time now. Argentina was the first time, but after 6 weeks there I got used to it and thanks to our great Spanish classes we know enough Spanish to say what we need to. But then we cross the border into Brazil and we’re back to ground zero. The currency here is called reais and the language is Portuguese. I got overwhelmed at the bus station, so many differences already. I went to use the bathroom and you must pay (they even have a security guard there), and then I went to the ATM to get some reais out (I can’t even pronounce the word reais yet), and I ended up doing a cash advance on my credit card, which I don’t know what that means but I’m pretty positive it involves extra fees, and then I went to buy some food for the 7 hour bus ride, but they make you order first in a separate area from the food, and then go pick it up. I barely know how to say hi in Portuguese (Oi), much less how to order us food (without just pointing to it). So I went back to AA, frustrated, and told him it was his job to get us some food. And that is why I should be studying Portuguese right now :-)

We are going to Maringa in order to meet the family of AA’s good friend Gui. We decided to go there now, instead of in February when we will be living in Brazil, because 1) we needed to get the visas stamped and 2) it’s pretty close to Iguazu Falls. The (long distance) buses here are awesome. Our last trip ended up being 20 hours on the bus, and it flew by and we were very comfortable. They served us a hot dinner and breakfast, played several movies (in English), and we had no problem sleeping. Today’s trip should go just as well and Gui’s mom and dad will be waiting for us at the bus station when we arrive. We are excited to meet his family and explore his hometown. We have no idea how long we’ll stay or what exactly we’ll do, but that’s the fun in being a vagabond, right??!!??!

It’s amusing to look out the window and watch all the small towns go by, imagining how different their lives must be. It makes me wonder and question what we really need in life to live and be happy. After observing for awhile I have noticed that I do not need a (clothes) dryer. I’m pretty sure hardly anybody in South America has a dryer – you see clothes hanging out to dry in practically every house. Washers, yes I do need a washer because doing it by hand was too much, haha, but a dryer I can probably do without. Cars – not needed here. As long as you have legs to walk and maybe a bike then that’s all you really need. The public transportation here is great and most of these towns are so small that you can walk from one end to another. Front porch – definitely needed here. Along with some friends or family to pass the time with while sitting on your porch, drinking mate, watching the clothes dry and world pass by. TV – I think that one is still a personal preference. I am surprised how many Direct TV dishes I see here, and big satellite dishes, but many people also do without. I could go either way. I guess basically for everybody, no matter where you are on this Earth, it comes down to having a roof over your head, food, friends and family, and a purpose in life. As I sit here and watch the towns go by I can’t help but to contemplate how different, but yet the same, my life is from these Brazilians.



I guess for me one of the difficulties I face while traveling is identifying what my purpose is. When I’m settled at home it’s easier to identify: to teach kids, contribute to society, be a good example of Christ, take care of my dogs, pay the bills, etc. Here it is harder for me because my purposes are to travel, explore, and grow. It helped in Buenos Aires when we were taking classes, because then I could identify my purpose as learning a new language. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel brainwashed to believe that tangible purposes hold more worth than intangible ones. I often overlook the main purpose of the trip – to press pause on life and fill up on God. Working towards God everyday is an invaluable and rewarding experience in itself. On top of that I feel so blessed to have this time to really learn who I am and who I want to be. AA and I are learning how to be partners to each other and how to provide what the other needs. A seed is being planted in my brain that perhaps the intangibles actually have more meaning.