Blog 10 A very different part of the world…. Late last night I finished my book. It was the fifth in a series of six about ‘Ayla’ the cave girl and her journey through life thousands and thousands of years ago. I am not an avid reader, because I take time to get into a book and that never seemed to exist. It has been wonderful to have the time to enjoy the story of ‘Ayla’ and ‘Jondalar’ and their adventures. If you get chance the series is called ‘Earth’s Children’ by Jean M Auel. I got up early (for me) so I could walk before the heat of the day. There was a cool breeze this morning that was so welcoming and helped me quicken my pace as I did my usual circuit past the ‘coruja’ (owls) and the builder who always says hello. I had my music blasting in my ears and I just felt good. I met Lou on the way to the bakery. I joined her as we talked in broken Portuguese about the weather and the wildlife. Back at the house I headed for the hammock on the balcony of my room. There I stayed, enjoying the warmth of the day until I heard Ana Carolina shouting with joy and crying at the same time!. There were thousands of candidates for places for the first test of the Federal University of Curitiba, then they were narrowed down to just over 300 for 70 places and she had achieved hers! (Number 26 to be exact!) She had been so nervous and anxious about the ‘Vestibular’, the entrance exam that decides so much. Today she showed herself and the world how capable she is and how hard working she is. One thing I have learned about Ana Carolina is that she gives all her academic work quality time and leaves nothing to chance. She is dedicated and determined and deserved her success. I returned to the hammock and dozed off. I opened my eyes to the few clouds that dare face the heat, float by. More music, more thoughts, more hammock. This life can be addictive. I wish I had another book? I turned to my Portuguese app. It keeps telling me I am doing well with my learning. I am living proof that I am not! I may know lots of words but they refuse to leave my mouth! Ok hammock, time for separation. I will miss you. I went down stairs to put the television on to be greeted with the awful events of the past two days in France. Europe seems a world away from South America, but watching the news report unfold I was aware what a vulnerable time the world I come from is facing. I felt detached and saddened. Brazil is a country not embroiled in some of the turmoil that is engulfing the ‘west’ and the ‘east’. Brazil has its own issues, but most are internal and whilst we can see this as a ‘dangerous’ country in places, at the moment this is a very safe country to be in. I have been here over two months now and can only describe the experience as an absolute ‘life changer.’ Even though the language causes me to make stupid mistakes, I wake up each day knowing there are possibilities upon possibilities. I walk in many directions, being greeted by many people who don’t know me. That’s just the Brazilian way. I do get strange looks sometimes. I have no doubt this is because I am light skinned, over freckled, bald with blue eyes. It is difference and some of the difference behind the turmoil in Europe. I think people look for a reason to hate others. We search out something to make us feel better about ourselves that we can dislike in others. Sometimes this hatred is about power and our own feelings of inadequacy. In my book, ‘Ayla’ speaks different, looks different and acts different. Even though it is a book, it makes me think about society. ‘Ayla’ is rejected and accepted by some and celebrated by others. Some want to learn about the different culture she comes from, others want to reject it without knowing. Here in Brazil my difference has been thoroughly embraced. So many people want to learn English with me and I can’t get them to speak Portuguese! My weight-loss is often discussed! I have probably never shared so much information about my own culture and how it is. I am unusual and that is very positive here. I hope France shows the world how to be strong at this time. I went to school at a time when discussion was rarely allowed to resolve issues. The fear of the strongest and their violence could stop you saying what you would like to say both personally and internationally. It was a time of punishment by teachers and the ‘hardest’ kid and a time of cold war brutality. I disliked this time in my life and this feeling of if you shared your opinion you would be punished. Countries brutally suppressed their populations with little tolerance. I like to think France will show by peaceful demonstration, the power of the word over the power of fear. That no group of people whoever they are can divide the masses and make them hate each other, just because they are different. Finally and most importantly, as human beings we were given the power to ‘think’ as an individual and to ‘understand’ however difficult this process can be. But then sometimes the most difficult processes can be the most rewarding? My decision to leave friends and family for a time was a very difficult choice, but the rewards? I don’t need to tell you…. You know. Ana Carolina worked hard for the Vestibular, the outcome you know. I hope that the strength of people to fight peacefully will win this battle, whatever the differences, wherever they are. In the meantime I will continue to enjoy being different… this I know. Friendship stephen
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 20:55:33 +0000
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