Martin, Vicky e Gemma
FROM VICKY
Well, its been a wonderful year that
has passed so quickly I can hardly believe it. I have loved working at Cultura, the
experience has given me the opportunity of meeting many lovely students and teachers. I
have enjoyed the conversation classes very much and I will miss many of the students who
have become my friends.
I shall never forget the friendliness of the Brazilian culture, I was welcome
here with open arms. My family have been wonderful, I could not have wishes for anything
better and I will be particularly sad to leave them.
I will be taking so much back to England with me from my experiences here,
this will include lots of Axé music as it reminds me so much of the Brazilian hot
sunshine, dancing and having fun. I will also be taking back many recipes of food and
drink, I particularly love the Brazilian drinks – I had never tasted anything like a
caipirinha or batida in England. I am also hoping to take a good suntan back with me but
this will depend on Martin’s busy schedule of sun-tanning lessons for Gemma, maybe he
could squeeze me in!
I think that the most popular and loved social activity here must be the
barbeque. I have been to so many and I have such lovely memories of them all, I am taking
back 2 mounds of photos to remind me always of these hot, sunny days filled with fun,
music, swimming, football, eating and drinking (mainly caipirinha!)
I wish that all my conversation students and friends at Cultura
continue to do really well, they work so hard and definitely deserve to. I hope to visit
here not so far into the future and to see how you are all doing.
Thank you to everyone who has made my year here an extremely happy one.
Loads of love VICKY |
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FROM
GEMMA
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Other than allowing me to perfect my
sunbathing skills (Thanks, Martin!), this year has given me the opportunity to learn so
much, both about Brazil and about myself. My experiences here have well prepared me for
student (and, |
eventually, adult) life both by giving me a more profound
perspective of the world, providing me with focus for my future and, developing my beer
drinking abilities. (I can barely believe that I managed to consume only one Pinguim Chopp
on my first weekend here!! Oh, the shame!!)
All of my travelling experiences have been unique in themselves but the one
which sticks most firmly in my memory is the month I spent in the North-east, more
specifically the 48 hour bus journey from Ribeirão to Fortaleza. Crossing over 6 states,
with not much to do other than stare out of the window, I was struck by Brazil’s
outstanding diversity and breathtaking natural beauty. This particular trip also provided
me with the unforgettable experience of sharing a shower cubicle with a seventy-year-old
woman during one of the stops!! I shall spare you the details.
When I came to Brazil, I was determined to gain an appreciation of both ends
of its social spectrum, which is why my work in two different creches was so important,
and rewarding.
The other aspect of Brazilian life that I shall definitely be taking back
with me is the music. I have enjoyed all types – and I’m sure I will have taught
all of my friends to pega their bumbuns to Brazilian standard in no time at all!
Looking to the future, I will take up my place to read Natural Sciences at
Cambridge in October. In September, I will spend several days in the Algarve (Portugal)
where I don’t know how well my collection of scandalously small (but extremely
Brazilian) bikinis will be received. If any of you have the opportunity to spend time in
Cambridge in the near future, you are more than welcome to pop in for a cup of tea.
On a final note, the sunbathing lessons which Martin so proudly mentions are
actually an excuse to get a free lunch at my house. He even had the audacity to allow me
to burn, then deny all professional responsibility. ‘At Basic 1’, he said,
‘What do you expect?’
My advice: Stick to teaching English, mate!
GEMMA
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