Foz do Iguaçu

So I went to an amazing place called Foz do Iguaçu! It is a huge waterfall in Brazil. First off I took a plane with other exchange students, and we had to walk onto the plane!!! It was my first time doing that so that was exciting!! But, I had to wake up at 4 in the morning. I meet up with one of my American friends at the airport too which was nice!! The first day we didn't do much it was just meeting tons of people. The second day we first went to a bird place with all of these really pretty birds. You could also go in an area and the birds would fly free. My friend had an idea to take a self with a toucan; so I thought it was really cool idea. But when I tried to do it the bird started like making this really weird sound and almost bit me so I ran away. It was quite impressive I was kneeling down, and I got up and ran backwards all within 2 seconds without falling. My friends made fun of me for this the rest of the day hahaha. Next we went to the falls. They were just beautiful. They were sooo big it makes Niagara seem like a joke. After taking a ton of pictures we sat down to eat, and there were these raccoon looking things all over the place. They were adorable, but while we were eating one jumped up on our table and starting eating out food. We ran away grabbing as much as we could; while all these tourists were laughing and taking pictures. The most annoying part was the tourists then gave the raccoons some of their fries, like we just got attacked by one your the reason they do this hahaha. Well with our food gone we decided to buy an ice cream since it was so hot outside. After we eat you had the option to pay for an extra thing at the foz. Half the people stayed half the people went. I stayed. We took a boat to the falls, and I got soaked!! It was soooo awesome!!! I was in the front too, and they took us literally underneath the waterfall. Like I saw the rock for a second or two. So awesome, it was so much better than Niagara falls.

The next day we went to a place called Itaipu. It is a huggggeeeee dam between Paraguay and Brazil. It was amazing. It generates clean energy for almost all of Paraguay, and a little bit of Brazil.  It was really amazing I liked it. Next, we went to Paraguay. O dear Paraguay is an interesting place. Was not a fan honestly hahaha. Everyone said that everything was so cheap, but I honestly did think so. I bought some things though. I bought a t-shirt for $20 dollars, some earings, and the world cup shirt for my brother because it was like $20 cheaper so I figured might as well buy it here. But, Paraguay was very dirty, and kind of sketchy. One guy was selling a taser on the street. Like a real taser it worked too he turned it on. He didn't shock anyone but still I just wanted to get the heck out of there. Later that night for dinner we went to this really cool dinner show. It was a show about Latin America; I liked it a lot. It was so funny when Mexico came up because there were like 15 Mexicans on the trip, and they all freaked out. It was hilarious.

The next day we went to Argentina. A lot of people weren't able to go because they didn't have the right documents. Out of 6 Americans only 2 went. Me, and a girl from Washington. I had to ride in this van because there wasn't enough room on the bus, and there were too few of people for another bus. In the van was me and 8 other people. Since there was less of us we got to the place faster then the bus, and we waiting for them for like 30-45 mins. It was fine though we ate some food, and I got Argentina currency, which is pesos. We went to the other side of the falls, and it was sooo much prettier then the Brazilian side!!! It was amazing! There was no way I could capture the beauty from my camera. Also, while in Argentina we saw monkeys. Like not in a zoo like wild monkeys!!!! It was amazing they were so cute!!! For lunch my friends and I went to a churrasco because everyone says Argentina has the best BBQ. It was good, but I am sure it could have been better since we were just in a park restaurant. We then went to a place where all of the countries met together. Like the countries don't touch each other because there is water separating each county, but it was still really cool! They have these post saying which country it is. We then went to a market and I bought these really good sweets from Argentina. It has a middle filled with chocolate,or doce de leite, or oreo, there are a ton of other flavors too. I first ate one with doce de leite, and I loved it so much!! I then bought an oreo one, mousse one, and a white chocolate one. I can't wait to eat them!!! Lastly, we went to this place called duty free. It is this really cool mall. You have to go through this security thing in the beginning, and you have to put your bag in this bag, and then they lock your bag. It prevents shop lifting, but things were cheap in this mall. I bought a pair of Victoria Secrets yoga pants for only $27!!!! I also bought really good perfume for $25, and peanut butter!!! We were so excited to find peanut butter. The other American ran out of the store and was like "Kayla there's peanut butter!!!", and I was like "where!?!?!", and she said "over there!", so I ran to find the peanut butter so I could eat it!!! hehehe. Then we did this really cool thing during dinner at the hotel. It was someones birthday on Friday (it was Thursday and our last day there) so, the Belo Brasil people bought a cake, and we all sang to her. People sang in other languages too! But, when the American sang everyone else knew it too :(. Only thing that sucks about being an english speaker is everyone also knows what you are saying. My friend and I found a solution to this problem. We just have to speak in pig latin. We literally did this sometimes just to be funny, but it was hilarious!!!

The next, and last day my flight was at 6:50, so we left the hotel at 5 in the morning. The good thing was a lot of my friends were on the same flight so I could see them longer. But when we landing, and got our bags we sadly had to say goodbye. It was sooo sad. At the time I didn't cry, but as I was walking to my taxi I started to cry. I will miss my friends so much! The thing that makes it so sad is you have became really close to these people in just a couple days, and now I most likely will never see them again. This is the hardest thing about being an exchange student. Saying goodbye to people really sucks :( :( :(. But, I make sure to keep in touch with them!

Well I am sorry this was so long, but here was my amazing adventure in Foz do Iguaçu. Até mais!!!!!














 

Carnaval!!!

Yes finally Carnaval has finally arrived!! I have been waiting for this moment since I found out I was going to Brazil. And it was just as amazing if not more than what I expected!!! First off, my family was able to get us VIP seating!!! So, I was on the ground level; so I was extremely close to the parade. If I reached my arm out I could have touched them lol. Also, on top of that we were right in front of the bateria which is the band. So there was also music and it was just amazing! It was a lot different from what I though. My host family told me we would probably only stay for 3 or 4 samba schools. So, I thought wow only this we will only be there for like an hour, but ok at least I get to go. But, no I was soooo wrong!!! Each samba school is an hour long! O but it is just a beautiful thing Carnaval! Everyone is sooo excited. At my school we had like a "dress up day" where the theme was carnaval, and people had like funky sunglasses, and shiny hats, even musical instruments. Also, my friend brought paint so we painted our arms and faces. It was sooo much fun I had a blast at school hahaha. O and best part is noooo school for 3 days!!! :P yayyyy I really love Carnaval <3

Calor!!!

O so I found out something interesting today. Yeah this year in São Paulo is the hottest year since the 1940's!!!!!! No wonder I am dying; this isn't normal!!!!!! Literally it has been 90 degrees all this week, and will be 90 degrees again next week, and who knows how long this streak will go on for!!! O and on top of that I am going to Rio de Janeiro, where it is even hotter!!! It is going to be like 100 degrees there!!! Aiiiiiiii!!!!!! But, I guess I would take this instead of -50 degrees in Wisconsin!!!!!.....but then again you at least get off of school for it I don't. Aaaaaa no I prefer this weather :) Doesn't mean I don't feel like I am burning on the sun!!!!! I take cold showers guys COLD!!! Also, I take showers just to cool off a little. Well let's see if I can get any sleep tonight Tchau!! XOXOX

Casa Nova

Hello! So, a lot has happened in the last couple days. First off I switched host families! I really like it here!! It is close to school again, so I am able to walk to school! O speaking of school I started it again! I missed all my friends; even though waking up at 6 in the morning sucks, in the end it is worth it! O and speaking of friends today after school we went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I actually really liked it; it was a pretty good movie. But, get this guess how many people went......... 14!!!!!! My god it was insane, but soooo much fun!! In Brazil it is more common to do things with a huge group of people instead of just a couple. We couldn't even all fit in one row there are only 11 seats! It was fun though! But, I am very tired from walking around. It's not easy going to movies here hahaha. You have to take the subway, after you figure out how to get to the subway, then walk to the mall, and let's just say I am very tired; so I am going to bed nighty night!!!!

Comida Japonês

So I went with some friends today to a Japanese restaurant. I also took my friend from Japan there, cause you know I figured she would probably like some Japanese food lol. It is soooo good, I love Japanese food here because the fish is so fresh!!!!! But, I ate so much food! Then I was really full and they brought out this huge plate of sushi. I was like are you sure all of this is for us....... I was so full I could only eat like 2 pieces without exploding. But, was very good either way!

Praia

Well I just got back from the beach, and it was an amazing time!!!! I love the beach so much. I am very tan now too!!! Like almost black; sadly I will probably lose it all before I head back to Wisconsin :(. O well I took a picture as proof. While we were there we took a day and went to a town called Santos. It is a large city right on the beach. It was very pretty I liked it a lot. Also, while we were there one of Giulia's old friends' were there so I hung out with her a lot. O I went to this really good Japanese restaurant now I am really craving fried sushi!!!!!! O I have something to add it has nothing to do with the beach though........... Fruit here is insane. I don't know if I have even mentioned this but I love the fruit down here! All of these different kinds of fruits I had never even tried, or heard of in Wisconsin. Now there is a good and bad side to this. The good is the juice is absolutely amazing and fresh I had never tasted anything like it before. Now let me tell you a little story on why it is bad. One day I saw a fruit in the fridge that I thought was passion fruit, and with passion fruit you put some sugar and mix it with the seeds, and eat it; so that is exactly what I did. Only it tasted horrible! I had no idea what I did wrong; so I just threw it away. The next day my host family was cutting up a fruit to eat, and once I saw the inside I noticed that it was the same fruit that I tried the other day. So, I got nervous like O I don't want to eat that again it was so gross. And you know what happened after that yeah she the seeds out of the fruit and and threw them into the garbage -_-. Turns out what I tried to eat was actually a papaya where you throw out the seeds, and eat the fruit part. Yeah so that was very interesting day......... But, o well I still love fruit here!!! My favorite is mango; oooooo it is just perfect how will I live with out it when I leave!!!!! Well that is all for today ate mais!!!    

Holidays

Well I have been so busy lately. First off Christmas was good. I really missed my family though; it just wasn't the same. But, we went to the beach the day after Christmas!!!! I love the beach so much. I love New Years here!!!! Ahhhh it is so amazing. So, for new years what you do is wear white, and everyone goes to the beach. And, what you have to do at the beach is jump 7 waves. While, this is going on there are fireworks happening all the way down the beach! So many fireworks it was crazy!!! I loved it so much I had so much fun! I want to come back every year for it. Also I have gotten very tan like I have never been this tan in my life it is pretty awesome. Especially since right now it is -50 degrees in Wisconsin! Yikes I am sooooooo glad I am here you have no idea! I am back in São Paulo right now, but I am going back to the beach in a couple days, where I will stay until the 18th!!!! yayyy beach!!! I love you <3