Thursday, March 3, 2011

Cell Phones & Sandwiches Cost What?

You won't believe how expensive cell phones are down here. A cheap pay-as-you go cell phone was about $75 and it costs $1 per minute. Crazy! I'll try to do more texting which is only about .15 per text.

I ate lunch at some burger place with a guy from class and only got a caesar salad and water for about $4.30. The guy from class got a chicken sandwich, fries and drink for about $12.30. Tomorrow we'll eat a place where they weigh the food you buy and you only pay for that. It's kind of like Yogurt Mtn for regular food. I ate a decent meal yesterday for about $6.50 but I couldn't find it again today.

The teachers said this was the best time to get a job after Carnaval as well as find an apartment. It seems like Carnaval is like a New Year. After it everyone is ready to get back into a routine. It seems like I am here at the right time. God has ordered my steps.

I video chatted with two of my brothers tonight. Well, I messed something up with John and he could see me but I couldn't see him. I clicked the right button with Paul and played peek-a-boo with my 4 yr old nephew all the way from Rio. Skype is one of the greatest inventions. It lessens the sting of missing family.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

First Day of School

Like any first day I was a little nervous but it was a great day. Yesterday I got a shock when the power adapter I was using for my laptop at the apartment quit charging my computer and it died. It was working the day before. I didn't know what to do because I need it for school and to keep in touch with family and friends.

I prayed, put my request on paper and asked God for His favor to get it resolved today inexpensively. I found out in class that Rio runs on the same voltage we do in the US, 110 volts so I didn't need the adapter. I can just plug it straight into the wall. Most South American countries use 220 and require an adapter. One of the guys in my class had an extra 3-prong to 2-prong converter which is the only thing I needed and just gave it to me. Computer works great now. God is so good!

I really like the teachers and school. It looks like it will exceed my expectations. They have been very helpful about telling us where to go and get a phone. One of the teachers told us to let him know if we need help finding an apartment after class is over. They said there is a pretty high demand for english teachers in Rio. Sweet!

Every day goes from 10-6 with a lot of homework. I had to read for about 2.5 hrs tonight. We don't have class next M-W because of Carnaval. We will start practice teaching the week after that. It will give me good practice. I will have to be observed by the other students as well as the teacher. I have three other guys in the class from NJ, Chicago and Denver. They seem like nice people.

2 Blocks From The Apartment












This is looking at Sugarloaf Mtn. at Praia do Flamengo (Flamengo beach). This pic doesn't do it justice. There are cable cars to go to the top. I'll take some more pics when I get up there.

Monday, February 28, 2011

I'm Here

Well, nothing like leaving the country without a little excitement. Shortly before I was going to arrive go through security, I was waiting to see some friends before I went through. They called me and said they couldn't park, police had blocked off the entrance to the parking deck I had gone through probably 20-30 minutes earlier. My friends parked somewhere and walked to see me off. My family was there as well. It was sad to leave them but exciting at the same time with this new adventure.

There was some kind of "security issue" and they wouldn't let anyone park in the deck and certain airline carriers weren't allowed to take off. I saw a guy in a silver Hasmat type suit walking outside. Not a great feeling. My flight left on time - (Thank You Jesus!) but half my flight was empty probably because most of the people weren't allowed to come through.

I got in Rio around 10:30 their time (they're 3 hrs ahead of us) after a 9 hr flight and got the house a little after 1 after going through customs and about an hour ride to the apartment where I'm staying. My taxi driver didn't speak any english. He gave me a business card for his taxi company before he dropped me off and one of it's selling points was bilingual drivers. Too funny. The maid was here and cooked me lunch and I went to check out a nearby beach which is about 2 blocks away. It's absolutely beautiful, the mountains remind me of Hawaii.

Sorry I don't have pictures or video. The maid (who doesn't speak any english) communicated with me that it wouldn't be good to take video or pictures by myself. I'll do some sightseeing with school and post them. I have wireless internet (which is another prayer request answered) so I can update this often. School starts Wednesday so I'll probably explore the area a little more tomorrow.