I would say that these mangoes are a metaphor for my current relationship with Belém; I em enjoying my experience here except when the city gives me a good crack on the head every now and again.
Some recent examples:
-Last weekend during one of the serious afternoon rains, the wind picked up, blew off some roof tiles and soaked our room and mattress. It was a huge and soggy cleanup job.
-A week ago I was walking home loaded down with groceries when I happened to step on a huge street rat at the exact instant that it was running across the sidewalk in front of me. The thing was like the size of a cat so I didn't kill it when I stepped on it but it gave a nasty shriek (not as big as mine though) and skittered off with a trace of a limp. Fortunately, I wasn't wearing flip flops at the time.
-When I first went to the emergency room to get my crazy bug bite looked at, they wouldn't give me a receipt for the cash that I paid. They told me that they had to talk to their administration during business hours since I don't have a Brazilian ID number. I need this receipt to get reimbursed from my insurance company and have spent quite a bit of time emailing and calling the hospital to get that receipt. Last week I went back in person to try again and was told that only the original doctor can write me a receipt and she is on vacation. They are not sure when she is coming back.
-On the first day of classes I had lots of activities planned and handouts printed ready to advertise upcoming events for the new semester. After spending the morning lesson planning and in meetings, I was ready for the evening classes to begin. At 5:30 p.m. the power went out at the university and never went back on. Everyone was sent home.
......
In my English Conversation Club sometimes I like to start with a short activity called "Highs and Lows." Everybody goes around and explains something positive that happened to them that day along with something negative. It sounds simplistic, but it often generates quite a bit of dialogue, conversation, vulnerability and emotion. The interesting thing about my Brazilian students that I have noticed is that most of them don't have any lows. Complaining isn't a normal part of the culture here and the well-known alegría of the people is alive and well, as far as I'm concerned. A common refrain heard in the country is Tudo vai dar certo, or "Everything is going to work out one way or another." It's a piece of advice I've had to take to heart lately as I feel like I've been knocked in the head by one too many mangoes.
 |
| Advertisement for our Conversation Clubs |
 |
| Advertisement for our American Breakfast Event |
 |
| A webinar for teacher training that we are hosting |
Post a Comment