Pontal is a tight-knit neighborhood right on the ocean and the bay. I am within walking distance of everything including banks, grocery stores, public schools, beaches, restaurants, barber shops, parks and gyms. When we moved in, our landlord said, "Give it about 20 minutes and everyone will know that two American girls moved in to the apartment on Rua Barão." He was right. We were greeted and welcomed here with such wide open arms that I still find it hard to believe. Groups of people swing by and either yell at the balcony, clap their hands at the windows or bang on the door to invite us to the beach, out to dinner or to go to a dance or capoeira class. We have been accepted as part of the gang without question and without motive (i.e. English practice, U.S. exposure etc.)
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| After the feijoada at the beach |
The students at UESC have already filled our Facebook event calendars with parties, barbecues, Vegas Nights and sporting events to the point that I find myself wondering, "Do these students actually study at the university?" I am assured that they do, in fact, study but since it's the beginning of the semester there is not much going on that is too academically strenuous. We'll see if anything changes come the end of the term in June. Also, I should point out that it's completely normal here to party with your professors. Case in point, the middle-aged Spanish prof is having a big party in two weeks and everyone in both departments is invited. It's rumored to be a big one.
I was reminded of community in another way at last week's two-day birthday bash at a hostel and beach in the nearby town of Olivença. The students were having a feijoada which is cooking a big feast of beans and some sort of meat in a large pot and then serving it over rice. After sharing food from the huge communal pot, I was chided slightly for grabbing a beer on my own. A senior student who had just returned from studying abroad in the States told me that in Brazil it's most common and acceptable to pass out small cups and then when someone grabs a new beer they pour it out and share it all around. Sure enough. I looked around and everyone was drinking beer out of small cups, nobody was drinking a can on their own. Similarly, in capoeira class, whoever brings water is expected to share it with everyone else. All the water bottles are placed in a certain part of the room and anyone can help themselves to any bottle at any time. Sharing everything whether it be information, water, beans or beer is the normal and expected way of life here.
"You Americans," the friend who scolded me said, "You always have to do everything on your own and be such an individual. We think it's better to share and do everything as a group." Looks like I'm going to have to buck up, get over my fear of other peoples' germs and bring a bottle to pass at capoeira class.
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