fortaleza is very warm (~hot at mid-day) and humid. i can feel the salt in the air and a constant breeze from the ocean. (it reminds me of S. California) from where we are (a little enclosed hostel/retreat space in beach park--just south of fortaleza), the wind blowing through the palm trees sounds similar to a heavy summer rainstorm--a delightful sound to fall asleep to... speaking of which, i've had the unusual pleasure of sleeping Northeastern-Brazil-style--in a hammock, diagonally in order to maintain a straight back. can you imagine? i don't think i could have either... until now.
so, my semester has finally begun! i'm one of 21 socially-conscious, friendly, respectful, interesting, american gringos, and i think i'm ready for what will be a very challenging, analytical, and culturally rich experience for each of us... the events of the past few days attest to that: a capoeira performance; a "drop-off" in fortaleza*; getting to know each other within the group; maintaining my own interpersonal relationship skills; stepping back (w/ the portuguese and my experiences in brazil) to give others the chance to step forward; paying attention to the cultural differences that seem second-nature to me already; and keeping up with the loads of reading required for this course. oh joy, the challenges that await me.
*for the "drop-off" today, our program dropped us of at a bus terminal, from where we had to find our assigned destination somewhere within fortaleza. my partner, Leon, and i had an interesting time because the address of our destination (Delegacia da Criança e do Adolescente--Juvenal Court) was wrong... we made it nevertheless, and it ended up being a good reality check and a good way to get to know the city... anyway, that's all the news for now (or at least all i can muster up right now, for i'm tired, i need to go to bed, and tomorrow is going to be a long day)... boa noite para voces (tão longe de mim)!
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