Stateside, Recapping.

After a day of traveling, I've made it back to Ann Arbor. I miss Brazil. In going through my files, I see that I've taken an inappropriately large number of pictures and I managed to never post a single one to the blog. To remedy this I thought I'd go back and reflect a bit, and post as many photos as the blog allows.




RECAP PT. 1: ANN ARBOR, CHICAGO


After the collective abuse of final reviews, those of us who didn't head home collected in Ann Arbor and spent our days meandering around they city. We found a Brazilian grocer in the south of town and tried some Presuntinhos (Ham Snacks). Yu Chen best captured our collective reaction, but we found them again once we were in Brazil and they became a popular diversion during our hours in studio, along with Cebolitos and Baconzitos.



A few of us ran afoul of the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago when applying for our visas, and I was among several that had to make a last minute unscheduled trip to their office to straighten things out. The US and Brazil have apparently had sour diplomatic relations in terms of travel since September 11th, when we imposed higher fees and stricter security measures on all Brazilians attempting to visit the US. It all worked out in the end, however, and I got a chance to see a few old friends in the process.

-Brian

work, a lot of work

somebody looking at the previous posts would think that we have been sightseeing only.

we actually did work, and this morning we presented it all to the city with the presence of the mayor Fernando Pimentel.

here's a small sample of our project.

we are off to Salvador tomorrow morning and officially done working.

Eckkkkkkkkk!

This past sunday my host family and I visited one of the mines outside of Belo Horizonte.  I was amazed by its beauty and tranquility.  There is no more mining here but the mining company is in the process of developing it as a tourist destination.  Just to the right of the picture below is a park overlooking Belo and two favelas.  Life exist in the lake so I suggest not to swim.  I hate crocs.  - tom

Riiooo

New developments in "thumbs-up" debate

At the end of class on Monday, we had one of the Brazilian students "Gui" show us the art of a thumbs-up... which we see people doing everywhere in Brazil! The trick is to keep the thumb tucked close to the fingers and positioned as a Roman Emperor would give a thumbs up to let a gladiator live. Just another cultural adjustment!

-Courtney

the world is upside down

just a bit of serious talk in the middle of all that blogging:

if anybody asks you why Brazil, check out Roger Cohen on today's New York Time here.

More street food lessons

Here we are experimenting with street coconuts bought from a vendor. Brian seems unsure but everyone else jumped right in