Mi familia

After a lot of unnecessary worry, I met up with my family yesterday afternoon. I live with a mom and her 29 year old son (who I think is in a band) but her niece and nephew (about my ages) live across the hall in the apartment complex. The nephew is trying to learn english and teaching me portuguese at the same time - mostly bad words thus far - which will most likely be a very helpful situation.

The first thing we did after dinner was GoogleEarth my house in Eugene. They seemed to think I lived in the forest because of the amount of trees near my house. Trees are in short supply here (google earth it!) Obedelia, her nephew and I then proceeded to have very halting, slightly awkward but hilarious conversations about education, the US and whatever else I could understand (not a lot.) Of course I have temporarily forgotten his name but her nephew is quite an ambitious kid. He is 23 and is studying chemistry, design and occasionally English, going to school from 7 am to 10 pm (including working out and bus rides.) Makes us Americans seem like a bunch of slackers.

My family lives pretty far from the center of town and a mile from the nearest other student in the program however only about two blocks from gorgeous beaches! Miles and miles of white sand and warm water frequented only by locals as far as I could tell. And though I stand out it isnt in the same way as I did in Feria de San Joaquim. The bus stop is about a block from home and a constant center of activity.

My mai here is big on the starches - REALLY. Dinner last night was bread, potatoes, yams, cheese, butter, chocolate milk and cookies. And when I tried to get by with a little bit of butter on my bread and yams my mai let me know that that was not the correct way to do it - showing me by slathering butter all over all of my food. And then comes breakfast. Almost the same as dinner except she made five rolls with cheese (all for me) and fried eggs. Wow. My stomach might be a little confused after all the fruit I have devoured since I got here. My plan is to cram in vegetables at lunch. Every day.

Oh and when I attempted to register with the federal police today (a must for visitors) I discovered that the Brazilian embassy in San Fran messed up my visa. So I get to visit the consulate here to get that all figured out. I am sure it will all work out (or else you will be seeing me back in the states a little too soon.)

I have a few pictures but it is hard to get them online here so who knows when I can let everyone see my temporary home. But when I can, you will see it for sure.