Saturday, December 13, 2008

Learning the ways!

I can’t believe that a week has already gone by since arriving in Brasil. And boy has it been eventful! So much has happened in such a short amount of time. It feels like I have been here for weeks already and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.
Life in Brasil is much different then Canada, but it seems like culture shock has not really even set in yet or even really started.
We have been spending time at both the camp and the house in the city. The camp is about 45 min away from the house. We go back and forth quite a bit.
The camp is not set up yet. Were going to be helping out by doing some construction, bush waking and such. On our first day at the camp I saw a rattle snake (the first the missionaries have seen in all their 10 years in Brasil) the second day consisted of de ticking the dog, not going to lie, that was a bit nasty. We have had many adventures there and will have MANY more.
The city is great, a lot hotter then the camp though. We went into downtown Sao Paulo on Monday. The public transit was… well you could call it cattle packed! But, the city is beautiful. We went into one cathedral and it was breath taking. We will be doing more sight seeing in the future.
Christmas is coming up soon, were going to be cutting down a tree for the camp house, and have a fake tree for the city. Were going to decorate the city one tonight, listen to Christmas much, bake cookies and watch movies. Christmas will be bitter sweet, but it is exciting to see Christmas celebrated in another part of the world.
We have started Portuguese lessons. It’s a hard language to lean, believe it or not it the 5th hardest language because it’s the closest to the original Latin. Every time the phone rings, I say a prayer and hope that when I pick it up the fist words I hear are “Hello, how are you...” instead of “Oi …” Its so confusing and difficult, but all fun at the same time.
Were going to be going on a mission’s trip to south Brasil for the month of January. We will be going with other youth in Brasil, about 70 others. I’m really looking forward to meeting new people, and diving into the Brazilian culture.

As I learn all about Brasil, I thought that I would let you know of some interesting facts about Brasil!

-After midnight, cars do not stop at red lights; it’s not illegal to go through them. You just say a little prayer and go on your way.
- Youth group is for marriage. You go to find a spouse.
- Motorcyclists make their own lane... Wherever there is room in the road. One got less then an inch to us.

I will send more as time goes along!

Here is my address in Brasil

Estrada Muinicipal do Mambu, 573
Cipo Embu Guacu, SP
06900-000
Brasil

Much love
corryn

3 comments:

Wendy Senft said...

Hi Corryn,

I love this blog. It lets us know what`s going on in your day to day life and I love the little tidbits about Brasil that you gave us. It`s so interesting to hear how things work in other countries. I laughed out loud reading them - espcially the one about youth group!

I`m sure the time has flown by for you and I was just thinking that`s it`s already been 2 weeks since we`ve last seen you, but it feels like just yesterday. That`s probably how your time there will feel too.

Your christmas sounds fun. I remember our only Christmas away (in Maui mind you) and it was different, but still lots of fun.

Enjoy the weeks coming to Christmas and enjoy celebrating Christ`s birth with your friends and Brasilian family.

Love you! Big hugs,
Auntie Wendy

Carol said...

Oi Corryn,

I'm so glad that you were able to have the time to write a blog which I, too, found so interesting and informative. You are certainly experiencing some new and exciting things.

It must be fun to get out and be a tourist amongst all your busyness. You'll learn so much more about the country and the culture. The Christmas we were away in Peru was so different but one that I will always remember and treasure. You have such a uniques opportunity being able to experience life in another country. Hope you enjoyed the baking and music of Christmas.

Thanks for sending us some information about Brasil. it's so interesting to hear. You are so fortunate to be experiencing warm weather. We just had snow last night and it's cold today.

May the next few weeks before the Christmas season be filled with special memories.

We love you lots.
Love, Auntie Carol

Anonymous said...

Corryn,
This is my first time on your blog, its very interesting.
Dean said that your youth groups here do the same thing, you go to find a spouse! Please don't go to the youth groups there. You need to come home!
Love you lots, Your big sis Tamara