Bom Vista/ Brazilian Diet

I woke up as late as possible today, which was only 9:30. It is getting cooler here now, but the sunlight through my window still wakes me up very early. I caught up on some work in the morning and I am trying to delete some of my music because my computer's memory is almost full. I should have been working my journal assignments and reading, but once I get involved in this task, I wasted most of the day. I guess it is a necessary waste of time though because I don't know what I would do if my computer broke down here.

Nobody in my family really did much of anything today. Both Amanda and Gabi skipped school because Nicole was going to meet Fabi at Gloria (the cheap shopping district in Vila Velha), but instead Amanda spent 4 hours straightening Nicole's hair.

Today was my first really gray day since I got here and it made me finally appreciate all the nice weather we have been having. In summer in most places of Brazil it rains a lot, but not here. Espirito Santo is a very dry state and the weather is usually hot and sunny all summer long. I have been taking this weather for granted or even despising it because it is so hot.

Today marks one month since my departure from the states. I have learned a lot in this short time period, both about my new home and about myself. My Portuguese is still a daily struggle, but I no longer feel cut off from the surrounding world. I am learning a little bit every day and I am not as reserved when trying to speak. I know that I still sound really stupid, but I'm O.K. with that. I have also learned a lot about Brazil's people, history, culture, geography, etc. Daniel has been an awesome professor thus far and the "Brazilians" by Joseph Page has given me a great snapshot of Brazil. The subject I have learned the most about is of course myself. I don't really want to or have time to express all the knowledge I have learned from this introspective study, but this experience has already taught me much. I have been stripped of all my normal, comfortable surroundings and thus I been able to study myself without the other distractions that I have back in the states. I have already learned a lot here in just one month and I'm sure that I'll learn even more in the next two and a half months.

At about 5 I went for a run. I wanted to take a run farther than I had before but I also needed to stop by the ATM after my run. I was still feeling really good when I reached my previous turning around spot, so I decided to explore some more. I started to climb a mountain that Daniel and I had talked about, but I had no idea how long this would take. I ran most of the way up the mountain, picking trails that led to the top. I really had no idea where I was going, but making it up as I go (sound familiar, Laurel?). I ran through some really beautiful forest and eventually found myself on a very rutted-out road. The road was really steep so I had to start walking, but it was getting dark fast. I eventually reached the top of the mountain and the view was amazing. I really wish I had my camera with me, but it is too dangerous and heavy to take with me on runs. From my vantage point I could see the whole cities of both Vila Velha and Vitoria (this mountain is very overlooks the third bridge which connects the two cities) and all surrounding ocean with large transport ships waiting for their iron ore cargo. It was beautiful, but it was also getting very dark (guys, we gotta get off the mountain- George). My mountaintop time was cut short because it was getting very dark very quickly. The descent was pretty dangerous because I was running down the mountain with almost no sunlight and the trail was very rough. Just as I thought that I had accomplished a feat a strength by climbing this mountain, I encountered a guy walking back up the mountain with 6 12-packs of beer on his two shoulders. It kinda cheapened my accomplishment. The picture below is of the mountain "Morra Morena" from the top of the convent mountain.

After getting to the bottom of the mountain, I ran to Central Vila Velha to get some money out of the ATM. My planning was pretty horrible because now I had to run back to my house at night with $200R in my pocket. Thankfully, the whole way is very populated and the beach has cameras and is lit at night. It rained the whole way back home, but I really liked the refreshing shower.

After I returned from my longest run ever (about 1:40 not counting the part that I had to walk) I took a shower and got dressed up to go out to eat with my sisters, Nicole, and Fabi. Since the rain actually cooled the air a bit (probably 70 degrees) I wore my jeans for the second time since I arrived. I really have lost weight. I don't really look different or feel much thinnier, but my jeans were huge and I had to really tighten my belt to keep them on. I think I could sell this Brazilian Diet to a lot of people back in the states. Formula: rice, beans, and sweating constantly.

We went to a crab restaurant about two blocks from my house and the crabs were small but really fresh. I paid for my meal and part of my sister's meal and it was only about $17USD. Gotta love that exchange rate.

After dinner we walked back and I went hung out with my parents on the street. Its really weird to sit a a bar/restaurant and have to watch my little brother at the same time. Everyone at the bar loves him and he stayed out with us until 2:30. I guess its all that coffee!