RRRAIN

So I think Brazil is trying to make me feel at home. That is nice and all, but the thing is I really much rather it STOP raining while I am here. This sudden theme of wetness all the time is making my life a little difficult. Especially since I am interviewing vendors outside. And vendors apparently hide when it rains. Other than that minor detail things have gotten a lot better since I stopped interviewing (or trying to interview) male vendors. It really is too bad that the culture here is such that an attempt by me to conduct research with a male population is so extremely difficult. I really am interested in what they have to say about their health but unfortunately that never seems to be the topiuc of conversation.

Today I went to a health post and talked to some nurses and doctors about the impact of the amount of migrants to the area to work in tourism jobs. They were so nice and receptive and gave me a ton of information. They want me to come back on Monday when there will be more people in the waiting area AND so I can teach them English. Ha. But it is a validating experience to be able to walk into an unknown place and be able to keep up a health related conversation in Portuguese. I have come a long way since being able to say hello and thank you when I got here.

BUT I figured out that my Spanish pronunciation has fallen apart. I will have to figure that one out before next semester, but it is really weird to try to say simple Spanish words. They all come out Portuguesian.

It is crazy to look at the calendar that Frances and I made almost 2 weeks ago! It is filling up with pictures and words that most people probably wouldn't understand. Kind of our personal hieroglyphics but it is pretty amazing how much we have done while we have been here. And how much more we have to do in the next two weeks. That is the killer.

Oh AND my body is so used to being sick at this time of year that I guess it has decided to perpetually be kind of sick while I am doing my research. For old times' sake but I am not a fan.