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!
Olha !!! È nós .
ReplyDeleteCandice ♥♥♥