Tchau meus amigos

I arrived in Fortaleza early Friday morning with Larissa. Although we're both extremely tired, we didn't want to waste our day sleeping. We had breakfast at Maredomus Hotel, the same hotel Amber and I stayed at during our first nights in Fortaleza, 7 months ago. Where has the time gone? I've been repeatedly asking myself this question for the past few months.

I had planned my trip so that I would spend my last weekend in Fortaleza. On Friday night, I went to the Nando Reis e os Infernais concert in Cumbuco. Although I didn't know any of the band's music, I simply enjoyed reuniting with the friends I came to miss during my travels. On Saturday night I took part in the Pre-Carnaval celebrations. I could hear the bands clearly from my apartment window. The streets were filled with street venders and Fortalezans enjoying the show. I've grown attached to eating street food in Brazil. Despite all the warnings to stay away, I can't resist street food. On Sunday, I spent most of the afternoon at beach for the very last time. For dinner I went to the fish market to enjoy my favorites dishes, camarao ao alho e oleo (shrimp fried in garlic and oil) and baiao-de-dois (rice mixed with cheese and beans). Later on that night I met up with more friends at Dragao do Mar for some drinks and final goodbyes.

It felt strange to know that my days were numbered. I jokingly asked one of my guy friends to elope with me so that I wouldn't have to leave. But of course I wouldn't resort to such extreme measures hahaha. I just have to make sure I come back to Brazil again.

I mostly spent the weekend reuniting and celebrating with the great friends I've met these past 7 months. Before I left for my travels, I thanked everyone that helped make my internship possible. This time around, I would like to thank the friends who have made my experience memorable. It can be difficult making friends in an environment where not too many people speak your language. However, the people I met were patient enough to teach me, correct me, and joke with me. From going to concerts to relaxing at the beach,  they always tried to include me in their plans. From singing Brazilian songs (the good and the bad) to learning local slang, we've made great memories and inside jokes together.

I'll miss all of the people I've met in Fortaleza greatly and I hope we can meet again soon.

Beijos galera!

Tenho 23 anos!

Found this waiting outside my bedroom door this morning from Amber. Probably the first time I've celebrated my birthday outside of Canada since I was 5 yrs old...looking forward to the rest of the day :)

*Update*

Well I should've known that the women of Mulheres Mil would have something planned for me today. On the way to the classroom, I was stopped at the staircase and was restricted from going any further. For a good 30 mins I was was heavily guarded by one of the women who made sure I didn't make any sudden moves towards the classroom where my surprise awaited me. Here are just some of the pictures that were taken:

The women are getting my surprise prepared.

Passing around and signing my giant birthday card.

This is still an English class, the women singing happy birthday in English (lyrics on the board) but after they continued to sing the Brazilian birthday songs.

Maria is always making the class and I laugh, even though there's something in my eye making my eyes water...ok maybe I cried a little.

Warm and loving hugs from the women.

Regina giving me birthday wishes on behalf of the class.

Group 1 photo with all my presents in front.

Group 2: The basket is filled with my favorite fruits and chocolate, good thing we did that class on favorite foods.

Group 3, there are 38 women in the program so had to take pictures in smaller groups. The birthday cake was delicious. 

Picture with the interns and my card. Notice the little figurine on the bottom-right, it's supposed to be me :)

Showing off my new bracelet and earrings, love my gifts.

I'll probably never have a birthday like this again. I'm happy to have shared it with some wonderful women that made me feel like I was with my family back in Canada. It was certainly a great birthday.

Foto da Semana 18

Most people in Brazil don't celebrate Halloween, yet here we are. Our CS friends had organized a Halloween party. Just another example of how globalized our world has become.

I'd like to add that I made the red hood myself :).

Foto da Semana 15

Dancing with the Michael Jackson statue. It was added one year after his death in the Santa Marta favela.

Foto da Semana 12

Elisabeth (CIDA intern from Quebec), Renato and I. This was taken at Renato's going away party, he will be in Paris studying for a year. Miss you already!

Foto da Semana 11

Went to the Natiruts concert with some CSers on the weekend, Brazilian reggae is really starting to grow on me :)

O mar e eu somos amigos

I’m not the most active person in the world, and that’s for sure. I used to play a lot of sports during elementary school and high school. However, when I reached university, I was overwhelmed with assignments and readings. After graduating this year, I’ve contemplated running, but I’ve never been a good runner and having asthma definitely doesn't help. Where Amber and I live, Beira Mar, many Brazilians run back and forth on the touristic path along the beach. People here are very health conscious and take their body image seriously. I’ve seen people of all ages and all body types jogging back and forth in front of my building. But again, I’ve never been a great runner. I also “forgot” to buy running shoes before coming to Brazil and here sneakers are just way to expensive.

So where does this leave me in my quest to become more physically active......kite-surf. I’ve never tried anything remotely close to this type of sport in my life. I and large bodies of water have never been great friends. Unfortunately, I'm a weak swimmer. I can clearly remember two instances, when I was younger, where lifeguards had to come to my rescue during summer camp trips to pools. I rarely go swimming, probably 3 times max a year. I never even swam in the ocean until last year (Dec. 2010) when I went to the Dominican Republic. So swimming has never been a great part of my life until I came to Fortaleza. Here, I go to the beach at least once a week with friends, mainly every Sunday. Going to the beach is like going to the movies or the mall in Ottawa. It’s become part of my weekly routine that I know I will greatly miss when I go back to Canada.

Excited for my lesson, got my harness on and my kites behind me...on the ground  :(

My roommate, Kevin, is currently taking kite-surfing lessons and I jumped at the opportunity to go with him. Since this was my first lesson, I wasn't allowed to go in the water just yet. I spent two hours learning to control the kite with the wind. Depending if my instructor thinks I’m ready, I might get to touch the water next lesson...hopefully soon because these lessons are definitely not cheap. At least I can now cross surfing off my bucket list of things to do in Fortaleza.

Cumbuco, the best place to kite-surf

Kevin controlling his kite

The wind is very strong, need to be able to control the kite when the wind changes strength and direction

Foto da Semana 10

I went to my first Brazilian churrasco (BBQ) with some great Couchsurfers.  I had been craving a grilled meat for a while,  hadn't been to a BBQ since I left Ottawa.

Foto da Semana 8

Ellen Oleria, great musician, she performed at the Feira da Musica this past Saturday....LOVE her songs