My Host Family

I have the unique opportunity to learn about two new cultures while in Brazil.  My host mother and grandfather are Chilean.    However, this presents an added difficulty for learning Portuguese.-an accent.  For example, all words in Portuguese that start with the letter r are said like an h began the word instead.   Let’s take the word radio for example.  My host grandfather says rah-dio, whereas the correct way to say it is hah-geo.  (I hope that makes sense)  So in addition to trying to learn new words everyday from my host family, I also have to verify that I’m saying them correctly with native speakers.  My host family is very different from my blood family, however nonetheless I really enjoy living with them and I truly apreciate that that they opened up their home for me.  

Culture Sharing:  What better dessert than s´mores?  Well...in this case roasted marshmallows and nutella...

 My oldest host brother is Giancarlo.  He’s 19 years old-so only one year older than me.  Right now he studies two nights a week to become a chef, and works in a restaurant on saturdays.  Yeah, I know I was lucky to get this family-yum yum :).  He recently acquired his drivers license, so now he wants to drive all the time-though I can’t quite understand why, because the driving here is absolutely crazy.  But more on that later...

 My host mother’s name is Annamaria.  She was born in Chile but moved to Brazil with her 2 sisters, her brother, and her father.  She’s a dentist and has her own practice.  It’s a really small office downtown in Campo Grande.  She cooks very well-especially soup and mashed potatoes.  I don’t know what it is about them, but I just adore the mashed potatoes here!  Every night she and my host grandfather watch the soap operas.  There’s one in particular that they never miss.  It’s called Avenida Brazil.  Personally, I think it's ridiculus; but I watch it anyways to be a part of the family.

My host father’s name is Roberto.  He’s been a taxi driver for the past five years, and he really enjoys it.  He’s a people person, that’s for sure; but most everyone in Brazil seems to extroverted.  People talk to others and give them a hug as if they know each other forever.  But then when they go away and you ask who that was they say they’ve never seen that person in their entire life!   He’s very funny, always cracking jokes. When he laughs his eyes light up more than anyone I’ve ever seen before.  But he’s also a very sensitive guy.  He’s not afraid to cry in front of others, and doesn’t deny that he cried while watching Marley and Me.

My other host brother is Nicholas and he’s 17, though I think he looks older.  But I think that about the majority in Brazil.  Especially with the young girls, because they were a lot of makeup here.  I spent about two weeks with him here before he boarded a plane to head for York.  He’s studying at Central and seems to be enjoying it.  I really appreciated the time I had with him.  He definitely helped me feel comfortable and at home here in many ways.  He introduced me to his friends from school which have now become my friends.  But I’ll tell you more about that in a later post.  He’s an affectionate guy and it’s difficult for him to adjust to the American culture.  

My host grandfather’s name is Silvio.  He and his second wife Celina will be my next host family.  However I won’t be moving far, just next door!  He’s retired now, but was an engineer at one time.  He actually held many different jobs.  He speaks a basic English that he picked up while working in Chile for an American company.  Besides Nicholas, he is the only one who speaks any English.  He’s a devoted member of Rotary and is involved in many different activities with Rotary.  He’s a serious man but loves his family-that much is obvious.  

Annabella, my host sister is 12.  Sometimes she acts much older and wears heels and makeup, yet other times she wants to remain a child.  She’s just trying to figure out who she is right now.  As the baby of the family she’s used to getting what she wants, but the family seems to be trying to wean her off of that.  She’s very excited to have a sister, so it seems that no matter what I do I’m perfect to her.  Wow, that’s certainly different!  Haha.  It’s been a completely different experience to say the least.  Having a sister that is.  My brothers back home never picked out my clothes, painted my nails or did my makeup.  I never was really concerned with these things before, but Annabella certainly is!  She plays handball at school and loves talking on the phone with her friends.  More or less she’s the average pre teen girl.