Dia Onze em Belem

Today I walked to school!

I woke up those few minutes earlier this morning and Stephanie, Karissa, Marisol and I formed a walking group together and headed to class. On our walk I got to take some video of the Belem streets!
(will post video at future date)
It was a short ten minute walk and much more fun and adventurous than the drive over. We got to dodge cars and buses and practically run for our lives at certain crossings while avoiding falling into the deep and wide trenches that engulf the sidewalks.

It was great fun, might do it again tomorrow!

In class (we made it to the room before the teacher and students who went by car) Raul presented Chapter five and six of our Journalism text books about taking your story to the "next level" in your writing and choice of topics. We talked about perspective, finding your voice and style, and further suggestions/ tips in how to build your voice and style through studying your favorite writers/journalists and understanding why they stand out.

Then Helen spoke about Climate and how to make it relevant to people's lives. Raul brought up a great example of the volcano eruptions that can change the actual weather of the area where it occurs. (i.e. The ashes covering the sky.)

Then we drove to the Botanical Gardens:

It is was filled with plants and trees and some animals. On the way out the gates we were being followed by a monkey on the run (he was escaping!_

When we left we filled up on gas (they mix gasoline and alcohol for cheaper fill up), parked at the shopping mall and ate at the food court. The other day my classmates raved about the pasta bar so i decided I had to try it. The pasta was delicious. You receive a checklist that you mark the ingredients you want. I got farfalle pasta with 4cheese sauce mixed with tomato sauce, chicken, mushrooms, oregano, onions, and spinach on a large plate for $6 bucks with a can of soda.

Then walking back to the elevators our group divided into those going to Das Docas and to YYAMADA, then Patrick created his own group by hopping into an elevator, not to be found or heard from until we gave up our search party and saw him back at the hotel.

Karissa, Helene, and I dropped off our water bottles and then Stephanie, Helene, and I walked up the street towards the little market shops to get more souvenirs. I had to buy a duffel bag for the flight back this Saturday so I can fit all the souvenirs!

We stopped in a T-Shirt store where they print designs for Brazil jerseys and shirts. Stephanie and Helene got a few Brazil printed tees.

We walked back to the hotel and I called my mama, Stacy, and caught up on what going on with her and the family. Our puppy, Studley, is swimming all by himself now! I can't wait to see! But Stacy is getting sick too and that's no good!  I will have to find some healing potions while I am out here.

Back at the hotel Marisol, Patrick, and I were trying to share and transfer videos from our trip and encountered lots of complications! hmm, no need to express the frustrations in detail, but eventually a lot of the kinks got worked out.

After surfing the web and getting some homework accomplished Marisol and I started getting ready early (8 o'clock pm) to go out to this pub with live music that Lucas and Isabella said they wanted to take us to. We didn't know the name or what time we were leaving, but we were so hungry and ready to go! We didn't hear back from Raul, so he was probably out with his friends at this art show he had been trying to go to (but previously car-jacking prevented him...) Hope he made it there and back safely this time! Alejandro arrived at the hotel around 10pm and later Lucas. Then we all headed to the pub!

The doors of the location opened to these wooden paneled floors and strange smelling walls that were not particularity appealing but as you continue down the hallway there are another set of glass doors that lead in to the real party. There was a DJ and tables set up and very nice decorations and setting.

We ordered food, I had a glass of Bacardi Gold and Silver on the rocks, Marisol had a Capirhina, and Patrick had a Smirnoff Ice. We all ordered "batatas fritas" and shared the appetizers until our main courses got there. I ordered a steak sandwich which when I received it ended up being exactly what we call a quesadilla: with steak, onions, peppers, and cheese, but also a lot of mayonnaise. They seem to put mayonnaise, or at least offer it in packets, with almost every dish. For this already greasy quesadilla/sandwich it was a little overwhelming...