Charlotchi.

Cant believe I haven't mentioned this already! In portuguese you pronounce -te like -tchi. So a lot of people who havent studied English (or watched Sex in the City...) are calling me Charlotchi. It is very amusing!

Other things that are different in Brazil...the crazy road systems!!! Here in Cascavel almost all the streets are one way, so you end up doubling back on yourself a lot to be able to get to your destination! Im very glad I am not driving out here, I have a feeling I would be very confused...not that I am not confused walking...

The other day Monica (another British volunteer in the city) came over for lunch and we decided because it was a nice day to walk back to her house. The route on google maps looked easy enough and we set off in the sunshine chattering away! After an hour we thought we recognised the neighbourhood so asked in very basic portuguese where the "Rua Erico Verissimo" was. It seems that people here do not give directions by roads however, more by where things are in relations to buildings. So we received no help in this way! After another half hour we realised we were well and truly lost...and cue the rain. Here rain is not just a little drip every now and again, but literally as if someone is pouring a bucket over your head constantly! Within a minute we were soaked to the skin, but luckily are both here for "the experience" and felt that getting lost was an important part of this! Looking back the residents of Cascavel must have found us histerical wandering around in the rain laughing. We called Monicas host "mum" but again the language barrier found us without help, so we headed into an english school looking like we'd just swum over from England. Typical to the days events no english teachers were in but we had a conversation in portuguese (well....not conversation...more exchange of words!) that once again proved ABSOLUTELY NO HELP! By this point we had been out and about for 3 hours! Monica was worried about making it back in time for church and I knew my host "mum" would be worrying......Luckily for the both of us one of the women Monica had been working with, Miriam, came to pick us up! WE LOVE HER. So quite an eventful afternoon! But one of my best here I think, we managed to keep our spirits high and it definately was an experience haha.

Also this week Ive been for lots of walks around the city, seen some trees native to Parana this state of Brazil and these funny little bear-like creatures called Capybaras. They are so cute! Spent a lot of time with my host family for this week...feeling like I will be living here for four months, will be strange to move back next door! Gabi gets home on Monday from her holiday and I am very excited to start work with her...

Had a small taste of work yesterday when I visited Monica at one of her placements. Was a private language school specialising only in English. All the teachers were incredible! And the students very enthusistic and excited to hear an english speaker! However because of the influence of the US with movies, music etc they find it VERY difficult to understand my British accent!! All the books, cds and materials they use in the classroom are American based, so I think I will find that a bit of a challenge! VERY excited to start work now.

This week hasnt been as hard as I imagined. Am making sure I make the most of every moment. Right must dash, lots of Brazilian culture to soak up. Please email me :) lottiebarker@btinternet.com

i love hearing from back home! much love to everyone. xxxxx

FESTA!

So my last few days in Curitiba were fantastic, my mood was definately effected by the EXCELLENT weather we had as well! wooo. Met some Brazilian volunteers who worked in the UK for a year, interesting to hear their experiences and they taught us a lot about Brazilian culture, history and the extreme differences in class and location. It is strange to be in such a large country that is rich with so many cultural aspects.

These guys took us (me and my fellow Lattitude volunteers) to a huge park on the Friday afternoon after portuguese lessons and a lunch out with our teachers. Was so nice just to wander around in the sunshine drinking caipirinhas (SO YUMMY!!!!!) and chatting about life in general. Felt like having friends like at home! (missing you all very much.) Couldnt stay at the park too long as had to get back and pack for my 9hour bus journey across the state of Parana.....aggghhhh!

Probably the worst sleep of my life! haha. The bus was severly air-conditioned so I, being dressed for Brazilian weather not the Arctic, almost froze to death!!!! But the journey was over before I knew it and I was in my new home for the next 4 months....CASCAVEL!!!!!

Spent most of the day sleeping but got to know Gabi (my new host sister...) and her wonderful family :) They have been very welcoming and I am sure I will settle in here fantastically. It was the day of Gabi's graduation so a lot of the day was spent getting her ready and her explaining some of the crazy traditions they have at graduation parties!!! It certainly was an experience I shall never forget!! I will try to explain it...but the insaneness doesnt quite come through haha.

8pm We arrive at the venue. Lots and lots of kisses and hugs as I appear to meet the entire city once again! Limited english speakers so a good chance for me to practice my portuguese and miming skills.

9pm THE FIRST PARADE! All the graduates (this party is just of the Physcology students...they can each bring up to 30guests so is a huge deal, and it would appear they go to lots of subjects parties....it seems they have them all on different nights so they get maximum number of good nights out haha!!) parade across the stage to much wooping and cheers from their friends and family. There are banners, party poppers, streamers!

10pm Dinner time! Big buffet dinner where I meet the rest of Gabi's family, godparents and best friend. Not too much vegetarian choice but I am coping ok so far!

11.30pm THE SECOND PARADE! This time the graduates have been dressed up by their friends and familys with wigs, tiaras, feather boas etc and parade individually to a piece of music of their choice. CRAZY!!! Gabi has chosen the Friends theme tune and looks stunning as she dances out in her beautiful dress. Feel like part of the family as we woop and congratulate her on her graduation.

12pm FESTA! Even more guests arrive and I am once again indulged in a million kisses and introductions! All Gabi's friends are warm and welcoming however and I find myself whirled around the dance floor to music from Lady Gaga to traditional Brazilian tunes. A fantastic night!

When we get home I go to the neighbour Rita's house where I will stay all this week whilst Gabi is on a cruise with her family. A little apprehensive about this week especially as no work to throw myself into....will have to sunbathe i guess :p Missing everyone at home A HELL of a lot. Espeicially as Murray prepares himself to go to Australia and it is my Mum's birthday this week....but it can only get easier and I am truly experiencing things I will never again see!

Much love as always from around the globe.

xxxxxx

First week...learning portuguese!

FIRST POST FROM BRAZIL!

Spending this first week in Curitiba...a city an hour inland and down the coast from Sao Paulo. On the map before I left everything looked so close but it is an hour plane journey from Sao Paulo so not as near as I thought! Is a city of about 2million and I feel like I have met most of them! My host family are so friendly that they introduce me to all their friends and relatives. The biggest difference in their home lives seems to be that everyone lives at home until they get married, which means they have large houses with five or six people living in it!

Every day this week Ive gone to portuguese lessons in the centre of the city finding my way there by bus. At first this was a little scary, and im still terrified that i am on the wrong bus everytime but so far no total disasters! It is very intense with 5hours of lessons a day...but I feel I am sort of picking it up and will not feel totally useless when I start teaching on Monday. As well as lessons have had time to go to the beach...which is STUNNING. Completely what you imagine when someone says "Brazil"....luckily we went on the one sunny day weve had...complete tropical downpours since then :( still incredibly warm so flip-flops are out but getting very damp feet. Also been on a bus tour of the city, seen some beautiful buildings including an outdoor theatre designed like a crystal palace located over a walkway over a waterfall...stunning. Went to a pub on Saturday night (Sabado noite) with some on Marielle's (my host sister) friends. Was a lot of fun and trying to speak portuguese as much as possible!

It is almost impossible to say how I feel right now...totally terrified that I am the otherside of the world mixed with the greatest excitement I have ever felt! I am missing everyone back home lots, but far too distracted by this adventure to worry too much. On friday I am having a 9 hour bus journey to my placement in Cascavel (a city near to the Igacu waterfalls)....I am excited to get going with my teaching and see the place I'll live til June...

Love to you all. xxx

Tomorrow :)

So tomorrow is the day I leave for Brazil....am very excited and only nervous about the fact that my rucksack seems incredibly heavy and not quite big enough! Nearly all the goodbyes out the way, have managed to keep my cool so far...lets see how I do at the airport tomorrow :s

Saturday night was my leaving party with much green and yellow facepaint featuring....i'm pretty sure there is still some on my pillow! Was great to see friends from all over partying hard and lovely to say bye properly. Sunday, a very hungover Lottie and Murray headed home to my family lunch. Fantastic to say bye to my brothers and cousin. Am really going to miss family abroad, but think my new host family will become as close as my own :). Some faces were missed at both parties however, and I will find it difficult that when I come back in the summer there are people I won't have seen for a year. But no point getting sad about that now, got plenty of packing and sorting to do today! Appear to have left rather a lot to the last minute....need to move all my stuff out of Murray's flat, buy a phone, shoes, print photos (so i remember all your lovely faces!) and pack properly! Aagagaghhhh!

So here is my first and last post from England for a while.....off to the sun tomorrow :) x