Bolo de Morango!

Bolo, meaning cake in Portuguese, has definitely been my vice since moving to Belém. It’s everywhere, all the time, and it’s so delicious! I don’t know what it is about cake here, maybe it just comforts me in ways my mother does and since she’s not here I turn to cake. Or, perhaps it’s never been as available as it is here. It may also be that their frosting is usually homemade—I don’t think they even have the pre-made stuff here. Whatever the reason, I’m hoping I can kick it soon, because it is not going to be pretty when I go back home looking more plump than when I left. Haha!

My program coordinator made the mistake of introducing Lindsey and I to a little piece of Heaven here in Belém known as Fox Video. If Blockbuster and Borders (both of which are no more, I know) had a baby, and you tossed in a less snooty Starbucks with homemade cakes, then you’d have a Fox Video. This is where we came to adore their Bolo de Morango, or strawberry cake. It’s to die for!

I think I go in at least once a week, sometimes twice, just for a slice of the strawberry soaked goodness. I’m a little ashamed that the baristas expect me and already know my order. Maybe if I was ordering something more figure friendly it wouldn’t matter so much, but I just can’t help it! It’s too good to quit.

What makes it even more difficult is that they’re usually playing a pretty good movie on the kiddie screen, and Lindsey also likes the cake as much I do, so we support each other’s habit. Whatever shall we do?! Sei lá, but in the mean time... 


I’ll have some cake!  

Abaetetuba, Pará (Try saying that 3 times fast!)

I know I’ve said this many times in previous posts, but I have been so impressed by Brazilian hospitality. My students and colleagues are always inviting me out and into their homes for family events, and even complete strangers will befriend you in the grocery story and invite you over by the time you’re checking out. An older woman on the bus once invited me over for dinner after a 5-minute conversation about how hot it was. It just seems that everyone wants to invite you over, feed you, and show you how wonderful their city is. I have felt so welcomed and included from my first days in Belém, and the feeling is still the same months later.

This past weekend, my student Junior invited me along with two of his classmates to meet his family in his hometown of Abaetetuba, Pará, which is a boat and bus ride outside of Belém. Junior makes this commute every weekend to be back in Belém for class during the week. It amazes me how dedicated so many of my students are in getting their education. Many of them come in by boat every morning from their homes outside of Belém and some have up to a 3-4 hour commute to make a 7:30am class.

The views there and back are absolutely gorgeous. The river is just beautiful, and the houses sit so peacefully amongst the lush trees. Many people make the commute form Belém to Abaetetuba, so the bus was quite full on our way. We had to stand the whole way there, but the views made it all worthwhile.

 

Junior lives within walking distance of a river beach, and we spent most of the day there.




His family hosted us, and we ate very well. The weekend was so relaxing-- good times with good people.

Festas Juninas!!

Festas Juninas are also know as “Festas de São João” in honor of Saint John the Baptist and are celebrated throughout Brazil. The festivities are more prominent in northeastern Brazil and begin in June, hence the name. Brazilian’s celebrate in typical rural clothing including straw hats, checkered shirts, and floral dresses. Some people even go as far as sporting fake freckles and missing teeth.

The party is also a celebration of matrimonial union, so square dancing, or “quadrilhas” are performed in pairs to represent married couples. 

There is also tons of delicious, typical foods including Tacacá, Tapioca, and Vatapá. Sometimes they set up a jail cell and charge to arrest and release people at the party. Fishing, bingo and raffles are other games played with live chickens as prizes.

 

My student, Telma, invited me to Praça da República on Sunday (check out my post on March 18th) to take part in an annual celebration as part of Festas Juninas in Belém known as “Arrastão do Pavulagem” in which a beautifully decorated bull puppet is carried along the streets of the city along with drummers and live music. Once the bull reaches Republic Square there is a live concert. The procession takes place on the second Sunday of June and it celebrates Paraense culture and spirit. The June parties are a huge part of northern Brazilian culture, and the people of Pará know how to party!

Americana do Paraguai ;)

I was invited to a Forró concert (pronounced Fo-ho). Aviões de Forró and Asa de Águia played at an outdoor venue in a huge lot with a gigantic stage here in Belém—the same large open-air space that held the insane fans of Iron Maiden a couple months ago! Forró is a type of dance that's similar to Bachata, it’s just a little faster, and people here go crazy for it!!

Thankfully, and miraculously, it didn’t rain. The place was packed and everyone was dancing. Family and friends at home, if you need a visual, think Los Tigres del Norte or Banda el Recodo playing at the Fair Grounds on Dieciseis de Septiembre. It was an insane crowd that really knew how to have a good time!!

The chanting definitely contributed to my decision to root for the better soccer team. Sorry Remistas--Paysandu it is!

They distributed t-shirts to wear the night of the concert, so all you could see was a sea of neon yellow the moment you entered the venue. Many girls had theirs modified, and I don’t mean cut up with frillies on the side like one might see on a college sorority girl at the homecoming game. Oh, no…some girls had them altered professionally—zippers, pockets, puffy sleeves, even bra pads added to make chic halters! I was definitely impressed.

There were vendors selling beer, Ice (a Smirnoff Ice type), and actual ice for the buckets of booze that were sold. I just don’t know how the men and woman held out the entire night with the heavy, cold buckets of bevs on their heads.

They were truly the rock stars of the night. Well, them and the man selling Churros of course!

I was referred to as being "Americana do Paraguai" because they didn't think an American could get down with some Forró. Brazilians refer to anything inauthentic as being from Paraguay like knock-off designer bags or pirated videos. Haha!! I had such a good time, and I can’t wait to do it again. Ivete Sangalo, the Carnaval muse from Salvador, is coming in August, and we’ve already made plans to go!

The dancing had already started when we arrived around 11pm, and it didn’t end until almost 5 in the morning! Girls were kicking off their shoes, but I refused. This was the result….

Totally worth it!

Muito obrigada Telma por me convidar J

Café de amanhã estilo americano com os alunos de Ana Maria Candice!

As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, I am expected to create opportunities for cultural exchange. My students and the wonderful people of Brazil have helped with my Brazilian culture immersion by taking me in and treating me like family. I have adapted quite well and pretty quickly, I would say, and this is all thanks to their kindness and love. Brazilians have got to be some of the most hospitable people in the entire world!

I decided to make an American breakfast with my students because they think it's interesting and quite comical that we eat so much in the morning. We made French Toast, and I explained why they were supposed to be called "Freedom Toast" for a bit…blah! Most Brazilians eat very light meals for breakfast consisting of coffee, bread and maybe some fruit.

The media portrays American breakfasts to be huge dining experiences with sausage, bacon, eggs, ham, toast, pancakes, cereal, biscuits and gray, oatmeal, juice, etc. Most of my students thought the idea of ALL of this for breakfast was hilarious and obviously contributing to our high rates of obesity —I thought it was pretty funny too, and I had to explain that those foods were common just not consumed all at the same time…unless, of course, you’re at an IHOP or Denny's at 3 in the morning after being out all night, but that’s a different story.

I had the pleasure of cooking French Toast with both my morning students and my evening students.

We discussed the idea of "Breakfast for Dinner, " and again..."Weird!" was the general response. HA! We went over the ingredients in English and the steps to preparing the meal.

Both groups kept referring to me as Ana Maria Candice after Ana Maria Braga, the famous cooking show host here in Brazil.

We had some disaster toast incidents, but they all made the most beautiful and delicious French Toast I have ever had!

My students are pretty awesome! One of them later came to tell me that she had made some for her mother, and she loved it!.....so tender...sigh

Next up--PB&J, Smores, Mac n' Cheese? Any suggestions on some easy, fun, American recipes are welcome!

No lions, tigers, or bears, but plenty of mosquitos!!!

I have some pretty stellar students that are just as crazy and fun-loving as me! I love that they always invite me to explore Belém and to partake in new and wild adventures. One of my students planned a trilha, or a hike, through the Parque Estadual do Utinga. This place is unbelievable, and it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump away from where I live. The hike was somewhat educational, mostly exciting, and a perfect Sunday Fun-day end to the week.

Being that I am living and working in the city, I forget that I am surrounded by such a gorgeous environment that is the rainforest. The trip was a great opportunity to get away from the city and to appreciate nature in all its beauty.

We walked through a variety of amazing trees and plants I had never seen before. There were plants that would open and close ever so gently the moment you touched them and trees with intimidating spikes.

We came across edible flowers and berries that were so sweet and delicious! In return, we offered our sweet blood to the monstrous mosquitoes. It was definitely worth the breathtaking views and overall experience!

Our guides were great! They were very enthusiastic, passionate about their jobs, and loved getting us hyped up as we trekked through the murky terrain.

They also explained what to expect before we headed out and shared some history on the trafficking of wild animals. Did you know there are crazies out there who smuggle cobras in their bellies?! WTF?!

They were so kind and very helpful. They jumped at the opportunity to help a couple young boys who were lost and trying to find their way back home.

We were amongst wild animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. We got good look at the most beautiful butterflies, spiders, and some small fish, but the snakes and alligators stayed away!

My favorite part was repelling down the side of small cliff on jumping into the river. Our guides made it looks so easy, and it wasn’t too far up so I volunteered to go first.

I made it down okay for most of the way then slipped and scraped myself the rest of the way. Good times! After hiking a couple hours, we took a dip in the river. The park also serves the community by treating and purifying the water, and we swam in the cleanest, purist water that is channeled to and from the city. The current made for a great ride down the river when you jumped in.

The only downside was finding articles of dirty clothing and personal trash throughout the park. Unfortunately, some people make their way in after the park closes and use the park as their private getaway with their significant others if you know what I mean…wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Our guides joked about this the entire time pointing out popular places and personal items that have been recovered.

I had such a phenomenal time with my students, and I can’t wait to go back…during business hours of course!

Minor side note: We got lost for a good while...movie in the making. Here's but a small preview of what's to come.