Since I have arrived, Brasil has been slowly beguiling me, little by little, spoon feeding me tastes of honey and later dousing my tongue with vinegar. Some of this has to do with the usual challenges of adjusting and adapting to a new culture. Some of it was because I was expecting something different. For example, I found little written material about the southern culture of Brasil and was more familiar with more tropical cultures. And some has revolved around personal struggles and lessons.
But, I've been working, chipping away that the shell of a pecan, glimpsing the sweet meat inside as I get to better know the people here and their culture. Those glances inside have helped me to maintain my determination to chip and crack my way through and taste the true flavors of southern Brazil. My close friends can attest to the roller coaster that I've been riding since my arrival; the growing pains I've endured. And then several months ago, on a day of no particular note or festivity, I unexpectedly ran into a friend on the street. We greeted each other, made a few jokes, wished each other a good rest of the day and went our separate ways. As I walked away, an inexplicable joy, peace and happiness surged up from pit of my stomach and through out my body. It was a soft electricity reminiscent of butterflies in the stomach but with a definite positive spin. I said to myself, "Brazil has won me over. I belong here. It feels normal. Natural. I am happy." It was then that I knew I wanted to extend my stay.
The program in which I am participating is supposed to be only a year long, but all the participants knew that there was the possibility of staying on longer and this idea has been tumbling around in my head like a building blocks in a car trunk since I've arrived. There have been times when I've wanted to teleport home and other times when I've been so happy I couldn't even think about the future. Its been a year that has not just knocked me on the ground, but picked me up, swung me around and catapulted me on to the ground. But each time, I've learned new ways to stand up, different tricks on how to crawl to my knees and discovered how to stand up already dancing. Maybe it doesn't come as much as a surprise, but Brasil has convinced me to stay. No, not forever, but I have received enough chocolate and flowers with a pinch of adventure that I am happy to call Rio Grande do Sul my home for six additional months.
