Today we finally made it to Brazil after a lengthy travel over the Americas, and thankfully I have enough espresso in me to do this blog post. I have yet to thoroughly experience Brazilian culture, but so far it seems similar to American culture. The food is rich and they love sugar here. Likewise, the Brazilian people are dressed just like us, with a wide range of outfits. That being said, I am even more nervous about embracing Brazilian culture, because I am not quite sure what it is like. It could actually be similar to our own, or it could be wildly different and I just have yet to break through the outer layer. Nevertheless, I plan to keep an open mind and follow the footsteps of my experienced Brazilian guides so that I may become more familiar with this culture and adapt to it. I also hope to check out local businesses to expand my knowledge of what the average Brazilian life looks like.
Unfortunately, all of my preconceived notions of Brazil are fueled by fearful reports from detached persons in the United States. I have yet to hear the good aspects of Brazil and its culture because so many people back home feel the need to tell me what we have all seen on the news. While these bad aspects, such as extreme poverty, corrupt government, and the multiple mosquito-borne diseases, are a large concern of mine, I hope that they do not shape my perception of this country and its culture.
My only other experience abroad was my visit to Italy, which was 10 days where I knew the language and had learned many of the customs from my family. Therefore, this experience will be unlike any other I have had before. And that is entirely exciting to me! Sure, I only have a basic understanding of the language, and almost no knowledge of the culture, but that means I have a lot to learn, and that is really all of the fun.
-Jake
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