Friday, December 30, 2005
Saudade
The following was written some time in October, 2005:
Unfortunately, it has been a bit difficult for me to have the internet access to write more frequently. I am still in Brasilia, attending language school and have a little less than a month to finish my studies. The Portuguese is coming along well and I am happy with my progress—although I seem to be losing my Spanish, unfortunately. The makeup of the language program and the group of students I am studying with is excellent. The school is for foreign missionaries. There are 25 of us from 16 different countries—3 from Nigeria, 1 from the Congo, 1 from Egypt, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from India, 1 from Japan, 3 from South Korea, 2 from France, 3 from Italy, 1 from England, 2 from Poland, 1 from Ecuador, 1 from Mexico, 1 from Paraguay, 1 from the U.S. and 1 from Brasil who had lived in Italy for the last 20 years. I am the only lay missionary, all the rest are nuns, priests, brothers, or seminarians. It has been a great experience getting to know them and a blessing to be around people from all over.
The days consist of morning prayer together, breakfast, classes 8-12, lunch, presentations on Brasilian culture, free time, mass, dinner, free time. Although during the week it is more difficult to do things apart from the routine, we have weekends free to explore Brasilia. Some of my friends and I have attended several concerts at the National Theater and various other locations. Yesterday our group took a trip to a historic city 2 hours away to visit it and its waterfalls. Last week we had the opportunity to stay with Brasilian families for one week. It was a very rewarding experience and I will be visiting my family again this coming weekend.
The title of this entry, ´Saudade´ is a Portuguese word that supposedly does not have an exact equivalent in any other language. It means more or less in English, missing you. It could also be described as a type of home sickness, as saudade may be related to the Portuguese word saude, which means health. In any regards, I do miss my family and friends and familiar environs in the states. But I am also enjoying my time here and thankful for the people I am meeting and befriending as well as grateful for what I am learning.
Unfortunately, it has been a bit difficult for me to have the internet access to write more frequently. I am still in Brasilia, attending language school and have a little less than a month to finish my studies. The Portuguese is coming along well and I am happy with my progress—although I seem to be losing my Spanish, unfortunately. The makeup of the language program and the group of students I am studying with is excellent. The school is for foreign missionaries. There are 25 of us from 16 different countries—3 from Nigeria, 1 from the Congo, 1 from Egypt, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from India, 1 from Japan, 3 from South Korea, 2 from France, 3 from Italy, 1 from England, 2 from Poland, 1 from Ecuador, 1 from Mexico, 1 from Paraguay, 1 from the U.S. and 1 from Brasil who had lived in Italy for the last 20 years. I am the only lay missionary, all the rest are nuns, priests, brothers, or seminarians. It has been a great experience getting to know them and a blessing to be around people from all over.
The days consist of morning prayer together, breakfast, classes 8-12, lunch, presentations on Brasilian culture, free time, mass, dinner, free time. Although during the week it is more difficult to do things apart from the routine, we have weekends free to explore Brasilia. Some of my friends and I have attended several concerts at the National Theater and various other locations. Yesterday our group took a trip to a historic city 2 hours away to visit it and its waterfalls. Last week we had the opportunity to stay with Brasilian families for one week. It was a very rewarding experience and I will be visiting my family again this coming weekend.
The title of this entry, ´Saudade´ is a Portuguese word that supposedly does not have an exact equivalent in any other language. It means more or less in English, missing you. It could also be described as a type of home sickness, as saudade may be related to the Portuguese word saude, which means health. In any regards, I do miss my family and friends and familiar environs in the states. But I am also enjoying my time here and thankful for the people I am meeting and befriending as well as grateful for what I am learning.
# posted by Rhegan Hyypio @ 7:49 AM 
