I am doing very well but really need to make a move on learning some more Portuguese. I have a little language book that has served me well in a few cases, but in all honesty my efforts have been pretty weak. Some key moments -
- Figuring out how to transfer a large sum of money into someone else´s bank account - that someone booked some accommodation for me and others - with no English speaking tellers. Depositar is my new favorite verb.
- Having conversations with Nelsinho, one of my hosts, on the phone, that involve him saying only three English words: "Katie! Please...please...please...please" and "calm-calm-calm-calm." Hilarious.
- Figuring out how to successfully explain where I´m going to seven different non-English speaking taxi drivers in the past two days - in a city where taking taxis ain´t the safest thing you can be doing!
Had an awesome time with one of these cabbies yesterday. Was on my way home from a rainy day of shopping in Ipanema and ended up in the taxi of this older man - friendly, grandfatherly type. Neither of us spoke a lick of the other´s respective language. But we managed to speak of many things. (Or, rather, he did and I managed to vaguely follow.) He asked what hotel he had just picked me up from, and I eventually understood and was able to answer him. Now at this point he had turned around a few times while driving, and I was getting nervous about his attention to the road. Maybe he sensed this?...because he immediately started making jokes about crazy drivers, going "vroom vroom vroom!" So funny. He then wanted to know whether I was American or English - and was relieved to know that I wasn´t English (or French) because they are [and then he sticks up his nose]. We get a good laugh together, and now he´s on a roll - wants to see what else he can say that I will understand - and so he starts reciting the names of singers and bands: "Ray Charles!" - "Yes, yes!" We both nod and laugh. "Stevie Wonder!" "Yup, he´s great too!" We both nod and laugh. "Pat Ben-e-tar!" "Hahahaha!" This is so cute. "The BeeGees!" At this point I´m dying laughing. He proceeded to insert a story about some sort of familial connection he has with one of the Brothers Gibb. He then returned to the band game for another ten minutes. It was so awesome.
I´m having a phenomenal time - jam packed
itinerary as you can see. Wonderful sightseeing today in Santa Teresa, a semi-dangerous hilly artist community - was glad I was with a
private tour guide, Martha. The colonial architecture downtown was beautiful. Tonight: time for some samba dancing!
Kisses (one on each cheek). Beijos, Katarina
