Will Palmer's Report From Brazil
My adventure of a lifetime began August 2nd in Houston where I was joined with Sebastian who was also going to Brazil with me. We flew to Dallas for a few hours then before I knew it, I was on the plane taking me to a new life. I would say the 10 ½ hour flight did its number on me but I got to see such an amazing sunrise over Rio which I will never forget. Sebastian and I actually lost each other in Rio after we checked our bags in again, but hey, it’s what exchange life is all about but we both survived! I ended up sitting in Rio for 8 hours before I boarded a plane to Sao Paulo. I sat in Sao Paulo for a little over an hour before I boarded my terminating flight to Uberlandia. I did find it strange that Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil but yet has a very small airport but I think it has to do with tourism (Sao Paulo does not get as much as Rio does). As mentioned by another exchange student’s report last year, taking off from Sao Paulo at night is an absolutely spectacular and beautiful sight. Finally I ended my flying part of the trip in Uberlandia where I was greeted by my host parents Jesse and Cleide. There was not a big sign and a big festive welcome but it was ok because I am not a big festive person! It was about 9pm and we still had a 2 hour drive to Patos de Minas where I would be staying for the next 10-11 months. I will say that from afar, Patos de Minas looks beautiful at night. Just the lights out in the hills was something else. We got to the house around 11 that night and there was a sign on the front door saying “William, welcome to our home”. There were similar signs around the home stating where a certain room/bathroom was. I went straight to sleep and did not wake up until 2 the next day. I live with my 2 parents and my host brother who is 26. I also have a host sister who is married and obviously lives elsewhere but she visits every day. Nobody knows English in the house except my dad but that is good enough and very helpful for the time being. After 2 days, I find myself starting school already. I did not think I would be ready so quickly but after school, there was no need to worry. The teachers and students are amazing at my school. I am currently a “junior” at Colegio Fonseca Rodrigues but I am blessed to be in this certain class. Just imagine being a celebrity. That is how school is for me. We always have random visitors wanting to just say hello. School is so different down here too! School starts at 7:30 and I am out at 12:45. We do not switch classes; the teachers come to you instead. I really love the fact that if the teacher does not show up, there is no class!
After a day at school, a typical day includes lunch as soon as I walk in the door then a couple of hours of Law & Order while mom sleeps. After this, I usually go for a walk in the early evening to get away from everything. It is a nice way to clear your head and to also take in the beauty that surrounds me in Patos. Now when you ever hear that all these people eat are rice and beans: they do NOT lie. As of today, there has not been a day that I have not had rice and beans for lunch. Luckily I love it so it is definitely not a problem. I have paid more attention to my health as well. So far I have lost 3 kilos (I never bothered to convert because it would not look like as much in lbs!) which has told me that I am doing something right! In a few weeks, I will start playing soccer with my host dad at the country club I am apart of which I am very excited for. I will be playing with the old folks because they do not take the games as seriously as the younger people do. The last thing the serious players need is an American trying to play a sport he has never played before! The country club here is very nice, everything is the same to an American club but just replace the golf course with soccer fields (any surprise?). The one thing that has really stuck out to me is my host Rotary club and the people at school. This club has got IT. They know how to accommodate an exchange student and I am blessed that I was selected to be hosted by Rotary club of Patos de Minas Guarentinga. I have been to every meeting and plan on attending every one unless I cannot make it. It is always nice to bond with other Rotarians. As for the kids at school, they have been absolutely amazing to me. Could not ask for better classmates. One night, I was in the city and a little girl from school recognized me, walked up and told me she loved me and everyone at school loved me. That has kind of been the best highlight so far. I was blown away that someone from school would find me and tell me that. School will definitely be fun the next 10 months. The weather here is amazing as well. Being it is winter right now, the temps barely hit 80 and it gets into the low 50s at night. So far, no rain either. Just blue skies and sun every day which certainly beats Texas weather right now!
This first month has been quite an experience already and I cannot wait to see what this next year has in store. I have an American girl from New York coming in next Wednesday to our club so it will be nice to see a familiar face from the states. I have not really missed home, honestly haven’t thought of it much. I am always talking to my new, amazing friend here in Patos, so that’s a good thing. As for now, its almost 12am here and I have school tomorrow so as we all say here, boa noite from Brazi