Monday, May 7, 2018

Relaxing Sunday in Brazil




Today we learned how Sundays are spent in Brazil culture. Sundays in Brazil are very slow, they are meant to relax, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy each other’s company. This can be very different than the fast pace lifestyle we have in the United States.  The Hawkeye Community College study abroad group started the day off by taking a nice, relaxing stroll around a local park. Before we started our stroll we bought fresh coconut water to drink. It was a very different taste but I’m glad I tried it. While walking around the park we saw people having a snack on a blanket, playing fetch with their dogs, having conversation with friends, and we even saw a bunch of people taking maternity and baby pictures with the beautiful view of the lake in the background. We walked around the entire park and just took in the views on the lake with the large buildings in the background. It was very relaxing.

                After our walk we loaded up in the van and headed to our host, Juarez, house to visit with our new Brazilian friends. He lives in a beautiful gated community and his house is stunning. He had lunch all set up for us in his backyard by the pool. Sadly it was raining and a little chilly so we weren’t able to go swimming but we were able to sit outside on his patio all day. For lunch Juarez served us Feijoada which is a traditional black bean stew which originally was a staple for slaves in Brazil. After lunch we spent the rest of the day talking with our Brazilian friends as well as meeting and having conversations with new friends. It was such a nice, relaxing afternoon.

               At around 5p.m. the Hawkeye Community College study abroad group, Juarez, and a few of Juarez friends loaded up to head to a local soccer stadium to watch a soccer game. It was an intense soccer match between the number 1 and number 2 teams in the region. We became fans of Club Goias because this is Juarez’s team. It was a very exciting game with a lot of fans cheering for both sides. This was my first time ever going to a soccer game and it was very entertaining. I was unsure of what was going on but luckily Brad, our instructor and leader of GALC, is a soccer coach for his son’s team so he was able to fill us in on what exactly was going on. It was crazy to me how fast pace the game is and how hard the athletes have to work to score a goal. Unfortunately, Goias lost 1-0 to Athletico. Following the soccer game we headed to Madero’s home of the “world’s best burger” for supper. Everyone in our group ordered a burger to see if this was true and were still on the fence to whether or not it was the “world’s best”. Overall we had a great, relaxing Sunday in Brazil learning more of the Brazilian culture.

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