Today it is raining, like it does everyday in Curitiba during the summer. We are around 3000 ft above sea level or 900 meters. The tempurature doesn't get above 85 degrees, and the rain makes it constantly humid. The rain jacket I bought before leaving is a huge pick up.
After my first two days of classes, I am confident in saying that I am not that much better at Portuguese then when I first arrived. I have the basics down, where is this, what is that, my name, your name, how are you, please and thank you. It is very frustrating and most brazillians don't speak english. Although it is tough, it is great that people do not speak english because it is forcing me to listen harder and learn faster.
I think going to and getting to class is fun. We have a two block walk to a bus tube which is opperated like a subway. It is fairly cheap (about $2.50 a day round trip) and designated bus lanes allow to skip all the traffic. After the bus ride I have a 4 block walk through a free public zoo, and the University of Parana in Curitiba. Curitiba is a city within the state of Parana within the country of Brazil.
Last night we went out with a few locals that we have met. It was a fairly strange and older crowd. Picture a south american hippie with a side of hipster, tappered jeans and flanel short sleeve button downs. Everyone was very friendly and wanted to practice their enlgish with us, while we were trying to do the same.
We later went downtown to Batel. Batel is upscale, trendy, and where young professional party go-ers hang out late into the night. I was hit on two 19 year old brazilian dudes. Although it was uncomfortable, it was a good opportunity to practice some portuguese and hear about some fun places to go. They were asking if I'd ever been to San Fran...go figure.
At about 430am we arrived home after a taxi cab and some street meat from a vendor selling chicken on a stick for the equivalent of 50 cents a stick.