Adjusting to Culture Part III

Well I have been meaning to write this for a while and I have known what I was going to write about too. But I got a little sidetracked by this little thing known as the World Cup! It has been quite an experience for sure the past couple weeks. I want to write more about that later. So I will leave it for another day.

Today I wanna talk about probably our most difficult adjustment...language! Since arriving on February 19th, we have had many good moments with our new language and many frustrating moments. We have had some nights and days where all we wanna do is try and speak Portuguese and other nights where we did not want to see another Portuguese word, let alone speak one. It is both a fun process and stressful process all in one.

Some nights we study flash cards.
We both like using flash cards.

Perhaps, my most frustrating moment was one night when we were trying to go to this store that we have frequented much to often (it's a  home furnishing and decorations store). We were returning a curtain rod (not the easiest thing to carry around everywhere) and I had attempted to call for a Taxi. We were waiting on the taxi, curtain rod in hand, and then it started raining...hard. I then received a call from the taxi service saying that they were not going to be able to send a taxi (I think), but honestly I am still not entirely sure. We waited a little longer and then we thought we would walk until we found an open taxi, which in the rain, is extremely difficult. Finally we found one, were about to enter and then he said something to us in Portuguese and the message was basically "you can't get in." Evidently he had arranged to wait on someone or pick someone else up. At this point, we were soaking wet, carrying this curtain rod around and looking for a taxi. In truth, I don't think all that is what did me in. I think I was just kind of over it all that day and so we turned around, went back home and didn't think about Portuguese one more time that night. We knew there would be days like this.

We recently went to a "fair-like" party
here in Niteroi with some friends. We tried some
new portuguese foods, spoke portuguese and had a blast. 

Through the frustrating times, there have been many many good times and moments as well. Many moments of celebration and joy. For example, a couple weeks ago, we went shopping for some things we needed and while shopping that day we only spoke to each other in Portuguese...and we understood each other!! It was quite cool! There was another day a month or so ago where we went to the bank and were able to make many changes and find out a lot information with our account by ourselves (all in Portuguese). Then we went to lunch with the bank manager, it was an all Portuguese lunch (and day) and afterwards we felt very good about it all. We hoped there would be days like this and are glad a few have graced us with their presence.

I often tell people that if I can control the conversation with people, I feel much better about things. However, the truth is I cannot always do that. We will have many more days in the coming months of both joy and frustration. We will have days where we feel like we learned a lot and days where we don't want to learn anything. We will have days where Portuguese comes easy to us and many where it just doesn't click. But we will continue to work hard, study hard and try. We both feel more confident every day and we know that is due to the power of God and prayer. Please pray for us as we continue to study Portuguese. Pray specifically that we be bold in trying to speak our new language. Pray also that we continue to have many friends here that help us. We have been blessed so far with many people who have been very patient and helpful with us as we learn Portuguese. We believe in the power of prayer and we very much appreciate everything you continue to do for us. Obrigado por todos!

- Kelly

Adjusting To Culture Part II

If you visit Brasil...
Have a "Salgado!" Trust me!

We have now lived in Brazil for a little more than 3 months and we are loving every second. We have enjoyed getting to know the people here at the church as well as many others in the community. Some of the questions that people often ask us both here and back in the states regard the food. "How is the food?" "What is the food like?" "Do you have a favorite food yet?" "How about a restaurant?" The answer to all of those questions is something similar to..."I like food, so yes." The food here is very good. However, it has taken some getting used to (I'm sure that anytime you almost completely change your diet and the things you eat...it takes some getting used to).

"Por Kilo" restaurants here are very common, maybe the most common of any type of restaurant here but I won't say that with certainty. It is a buffet style of restaurant but totally different at the same time. There is a buffet bar, however, instead of paying one price and being able to eat as much as you want for virtually as long as you want, you grab a plate and get what you want and put it on a scale to see how much it will be. So, you can have a small amount or get things that are on the lighter side and spend little or you can get a lot and spend a lot. All depends on what you want. There are also many differently priced restaurants like this. These types of restaurants make for good opportunities to try many different new types of food. However, it would help to know what we are reading on the name plaques next to each dish. We ARE getting better at this!

Found these import gems...but they were a bit too pricey.
None of them were important enough for us to buy.

One thing that is still a bit difficult is the price of many of the foods. Some things seem to be relatively close in price as to what we are used to. Some things seem cheaper (fruits and veggies especially...which is awesome). However, many things are more expensive. We expected this, but it might take a little more time for us to be used to it. I am used to paying $1 or a $1.50 for a 2-liter of coke, however, I am getting used to spending closer to $2 or $2.50. There are just a few items like this and with some of them (like coke) it's not a big deal. With others though (like ice cream), it's taking us a little more time to get used to. But we all gotta eat and sometimes we even need a little ice cream!

Eating with a napkin...I will master this art!

The other thing that has taken some getting used to is the difference in the way people eat here. Kelci does a lot better than me with this. I still often forget. People rarely eat using only their hands. If they are eating a hamburger, it is with a napkin around it. If they are eating a subway sandwich, they hold it with the paper. Many things that we are used to eating with our hands, they use toothpicks or napkins. Honestly, when you think about eating this way, it makes a lot of sense because our hands are very dirty. But if you did not grow up that way, it can be difficult to do and difficult to remember to do. The first time I tried eating a hamburger with a napkin, it was an utter failure. I often joke that we americans eat like cave men, but in reality it is just another different thing about each culture.

I would be lying if I said that I did not miss some of the food back in the states. We for sure miss some things. However, I know that there will be day when we are very old that we miss the food here too. Both places have great food, in my opinion. And like culture and like everything else with culture, it is just a little different! We are having a blast trying new foods and restaurants and everything. We welcome new things and know there will be many more to come.

- Kelly and Kelci