Maringa!

Oi! (meaning: “hello” in Portuguese)

Talk about a long day! We went to the UEM today at about 8:30 am and did not arrive back to our hotel until 7:30 pm!! It was a very interesting day to say the least! We had 3 lectures in the morning: one on adapting Florida’s affordable housing needs assessment to Brazil, one on Vertical development in Maringa, Brazil and one on a “favela” in Maringa, Brazil.

I am gonna vent a little so I apologize in advance. The lecture on “verticalization” as the professors here call it was definitely…well, interesting! There is a different mindset here in Brazil, which I sort of knew when I decided to study abroad in a different country. The professor (which by the way they refer to themselves as Professor Doctors!) was telling us that in this region of Brazil, and most places for that matter, have a large rate of growth, specifically upwards. And then he proceeded to tell us this was a completely bad thing. I sat in class and I was a little confused…I mean yea, maybe some privacy issues and minor negative issues are present with vertical growth, but it can’t be all bad, right? Nope. This guy, sorry, Professor Doctor, was saying he didn’t agree with it, but Brazil had to accept it because it was what the present situation here was. So what’s the alternative to vertical growth?? That would be sprawl. You have to be kidding me that you are going to encourage sprawl as opposed to “verticalization”. Has anyone seen what the United States is currently going through with all their problems with sprawl?! After this lecture I had a conversation with our program director who told me that many people see this “verticalization” as a symbol of power and capitalism and so in that sense it is a negative thing. While that may be true to some extent I still don’t see the reason to totally discourage it...I wish people would learn from other people’s mistakes! Hint*Hint Brazil.

We walked around downtown Maringa which is really cute…there is a huge cathedral in the town center that is shaped like a cone! (See pictures) We also went to a public park which is one of two “lungs” of the city…it was gorgeous and there were tiny monkeys everywhere! (See picture) Then we went to a neighborhood called Santa Felicidade. It is a low-income neighborhood that is in the process of being displaced…I am not even going to get started on this one! Basically Maringa’s local government lied and said this neighborhood was a favela (shanty town) to get 25,000 reias (Brazilian currency). Can you say corruption?

Enough ranting and raving….We had lunch with some of the Brazilian students from the university. Their biggest meal here is lunch, which is so different than what I am used to! So we have been eating big lunches and dinners here! But we walk A LOT!!! So I’m not worried J
While on our “field trip” today I attempted to converse with the Brazilian students…Disaster!!! Portuguese is very difficult! I assumed that it was similar to Spanish and since I am decent in speaking Spanish that I could get by with Portuguese. Wrong! It was actually kind of funny because one kid couldn’t speak English and I couldn’t speak Portuguese so we ended up trying to speak Spanish…haha…wish you guys coulda seen it!!

I apologize if my blog is really similar to Liz’s. We are on the same program so obviously we are experiencing the same things…but I try not to read hers and hopefully we have a little different of a take on some things and it keeps it interesting?!

This is a pretty long blog post for me and its 2:19 am so I am gonna sign off now…but one more thing before I go. Liz pointed out to me that I talk about Caprinhas in every single blog post! So I was obviously gonna try to avoid talking about them but I realized I spell them wrong in every post as well and just wanted to correct my Portuguese J (Correct spelling = Caprinhas)
Also, if you notice I changed my color scheme to green and yellow which are Brazils colors…a little more festive! AND…anyone can post a comment now…I changed the settings so that you don’t have to be a user…SO that means you guys must comment on this fabulous blog of mine! MAUD SAYS!

Enjoy the fotos! (P.S. I uploaded all my Sao Paulo pictures to facebook so go check-em out!)

Bons sonhos (meaning: “good night” in Portuguese)

Maringa pictures :)

The massive Cathedral....

Monkeys!!!

In one of the "lungs" of Maringa:

This is the "recycling center" of the Santa Felicidade neighborhood...notice the flowers....It's actually quite beautiful!

I just got back from celebrating Lauren's birthday! We went to a corner restaurant and had some food and drinks...The official drink in Brazil is the Caprihna...it is sugar, lime and Cansehco (which is the Ghetto ligour!! haha...go figure!) I'm probably spelling it wrong but it is delicious!!! We also had Carne seco which is similar to corned beef and is a typical Brazilian food.

So to expand on todays activities.... we went to UEM which is the university in Maringa. We are in a class with Brazillian students from Urban infrastucture, geography and economics. We have an assignment due by friday which is to write a 2-5 page paper on a topic that we cover while we are here in Maringa. I am interested in Transportation but am not sure the specific area I will study....In Curitiba they have an amazing public transportation system and I really want to see how that works so maybe I will explore the public transport systems in other Barzilian cities and compare them?? Not sure but if/when I figure it out I will let u know!

All the people in the program are very cool... There are 5 other people from UF... Jessica, Lauren, Eric, Kevin and Shani...Also Meredith and Erin from UT at Austin, Vicky from Canada, Dan from Rutgers, and Elly who lives in Honduras. I hope I am not missing anyone!! We are all obviously from different places but ghet along well.. I am really excited for this program to get under way...I will keep everyone updated and PROMISE to post pictures soon!

Love, Maud :)

Maringa!!

So we left Sao Paulo last night at about 5 pm...we sat in the bus station for 2 hours and drank and played cards until the bus got there...the bus ride was loooooooong! we arrived in Maringa at 4:30 am! Maringa is really nice..its a smaller town of only about 300,000 people..its hotter here too which is nice! BUT...there is dengue and yellow fever here so you cant wear shorts or flip flops :( I got bit by a mosquito today within 30 minutes of being outside! Uh-oh!!

We went to the University here and had a joint class with students from here in Brazil...we are going to Dinner now so when I get back I will fill you in on the academic part of my trip...also I'll add more pictures adn maybe do a video if Elizabeth lets me!

Tchaio!

Last night in Sao Paulo :(

So it was our last night night in Sao Paulo...we went out to a churascuria and ate delicious steak and food:) Earlier today we walked around an open air market and ate more delicious food! Tonight wew went to a bar and drank Capinrihas which are the official drink of Brazil...YUMMY!!! Then me and 2 other people continued the night listening to 80's music!!!!!!!!!!! I was in Heaven!!! I am going to sleep now but am posting some pictures below form teh past couple of days.....Ciao.

One more thing...

I almost forgot...you guys should check out Elizabeth Lauren Butler's blog as well. I posted the link to the right --->

She has some fun videos that we made at the airport and on the plane, as well as more fotos! Plus she is a wayyyy better blogger than I am!  

I made it!!

Yay! I made it to Brazilllll!!! After an 8-hour long plane ride, we finally landed in Sau Paulo! The fight was long and boring, but Liz and I had fun (probably while pissing the other passengers off..Oh well, what did you expect?!)

Anyways, this country is awesome! We are in Sao Paulo until Monday night and then we head off to Maringa.  Some of the people went out last night to a local spot....we met some Brazilians, attempted to speak Portuguese but ended up speaking Spanish, and took pictures with mannequins at a gas station...All-in-all I would say it was a pretty successful night! I showed Brazil what Maud is all about!! Haha...

Today we walked around the city and it is huuuuuge! I took a million pictures and will post some for your viewing pleasure :) Miss you all mucho...hope you aren't having too much fun without me! In the meantime I am gonna head out now.....Chao!