Third Week and New Opportunities

The theme of this last couple weeks seems to have been the transition from the excitement and novelty of arriving to integration into the community and the things offered to exchange students. I've received opportunities for volunteering at a cancer hospital, a ecological social action project, music lessons, sports, and other new things. The cancer hospital is an opportunity I want to pursue, because volunteering at a hospital, and being able to tangibly help people, is something I've always wanted to do. Also, as my YEX coordinator said, it will allow me to see the "other countries" within Brazil outside of the wealthy, successful one I've been exposed to thus far. As for the music lessons (which at this point is mostly self teaching with the guidance of a very talented host father), they're a great use of the new found free time I have. Although I spent more time at home in the United States, I certainly had much less time free due to my workload.

As for sports, these aren't so much opportunities for clubs as they are opportunities through learning the rules and being able to play them when I want. First among these is peteca, which is much like Badminton, except with Native American origins and is played with only your hand and a feathered birdie. Also, today I learned how to play what is essentially cricket. The game was with a few friends of my host brother in the street at sunset, which was very picturesque and of course, a lot of fun. Also, I signed up for a inter-class handball tournament at INEI COC, so that'll be a lot of fun.

Outside of all these opportunities, my social and recreational life is still in full swing. Last week, there was a churrasco, this week there was rock climbing and a UFC fight viewing party, and this week there will be a holiday on Wednesday which will be sure to have something going on. I've been running more than I have since the winter, and with a track and within walking distance every day, it's very easy to stay in good shape and stay active.

I'll be able to say more about all these opportunities as they become realities, but until then, it's late here.