#Thebajanfootprint

[thebajanfootprint]

A tad lazy!

Hey Everyone, 

So, what can I say? These past 3 months have been pretty difficult for me. Despite, all I did to make it to Barbados asap, my grandmother died the very next day after my arrival. I am pretty devastated still, that I didn't get the chance to tell her Goodbye and I love you. She meant the world to me and I cannot imagine my life without her and the memories of her. So shout out to my newest angel, Eva Estwick a.k.a my SweetGirl.

Despite, my grandmother's passing I was able to enjoy my month in Barbados, being my first Crop Over in 2 years. I participated in foreday which was a first for me and I enjoyed it. Most of all during my trip to Barbados I realised what was most important to me, and that is FAMILY. I love my fam yalll reall bawd. With this new found recognition I found myself. I found out that Ashlee, doesn't like the things she thought she liked. Does that make sense? Ashlee likes to be along, likes to do her own thing. I mean whhy wasn't I ok with this in the first place? hmmm.

Anyways, I am back in Brazil after getting 8+ average my first year at UNI in PORTUGUESE!! LOOK OUT! I am mad proud of myself, like seriously. Somehow, I feel like I could be doing more. Don't know how but when I find out I will let you guys know. 

[thebajanfootprint]

Oficina de Francisco Brennand, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

[thebajanfootprint]

New in Goiania.

Hey, Hope you guys haven't missed us too much. I'm back in Brazil, living in a new city called Goiania. It's pretty central, pretty country and thank god it's pretty close to Brasilia. Lol! I share an apartment with two of the friendliest brasileiras, I have ever met. Uni! It's a challenge honestly, with the language and my serious complex of perfection but it improves gradually everyday and becomes easier. Goiania!!! -Ashlee, Goiania

[thebajanfootprint]

Loved this stuff at Feira da Lua, Goiania!

[thebajanfootprint]

Footprint Trace: Keira, Colombia

Keira Gibson

Barranquilla, Colombia

1. How long have you been living in Columbia? I have been in Colombia since the end of July but it seems like I have been here forever. I had to arrive in Bogota by July 30th in order to attend orientation and meet some of the other people who would be participating in the program. However, I currently reside in Barranquilla which is one of Colombia’s most famous cities. I’ve been here since August 1st. It’s time for me to be back home (at least for a bit).

5. What major differences are there between Barbados and Columbia? I could go on and on about the differences between the two. Hopefully I can narrow them down to 5. Here goes: a) Privacy- in Barbados we rant and rave about people being malicious or gypsy but we have no idea just what that means. In Colombia, people ask you all of your personal information without hesitation or even the slightest clue of rude it can be. They also have a knack for going through your stuff. Sometimes it’s just for the sake of knowing what you have. Nothing is truly private even though they have so many gated houses here. b) Personal space- everyone touches everyone. Everyone hugs and kisses everyone without questioning whether this person is diseased or not. People share drinks and food a lot. Also, there is a habit of being as close to a person as you possibly can be. For instance, when standing in any line in any location, the person behind you has to be close enough for you to smell their breath or their hair. In the buses, they sit as close to you as possible and even just standing alone, a person will come up to you and stand close by and speak. c) Work Ethics- people get to work late and students get to school late. I am not speaking about 15 minutes late. Classes are scheduled on the hour and some students traipse in 30 minutes to 1 hour late as though class didn’t start earlier. Cellphones are answered in class. Attire is ignored most of the time by staff (this isn’t simply where I teach). d) Job opportunities- people make the most of what they have. People here create opportunities for themselves and it is most inspiring. There are people cleaning the drains, collecting bottles, singing on the street, doing portraits, selling in the streets, and cleaning. I know the list seems like everyday jobs in Barbados, but it isn’t. Drains and the streets are cleared almost every day and these people work tirelessly in the sun (Barranquilla is way hotter than Barbados). Singing on the street and other odd jobs such as drawing on the street are reminiscent of New York and other major Western cities. Also, selling in the streets is nothing like Swan Street. Vendors move around with ridiculously heavy items on their heads, shouting at the top of their lungs or with microphones. The items they sell range from raw fish to confectionary. Cleaning is also done with pride and it is actually done. When you go to a fast food restaurant, the tables are cleaned and the workers don’t appear miserable are ashamed. People here recognize the importance of the job and that it puts food on the table. e) The weather- when it rains, it pours. This is by no means an exaggeration. There are actual flood signs posted throughout the city. It is ridiculously dangerous when it rains. With the rain comes thunder like I have never experienced and lighting is ever present. You can usually expect the electricity to go off at some point when this weather occurs. The sun is fiery hot. You need to hydrate often. The switch between the two is sudden and you can never foretell what will happen.

6. What do you miss the most about home? The obvious response is family and friends. Putting those aside, I miss Barbadian food and water. I will pass on drinking liquids from plastic bags and having to make my own seasoning any day. Also, I miss my sun, sand and sea. Words cannot describe how much I yearn for the ability to walk to a beach with white sand and crystal clear water. 7. What is your greatest memory so far? Cartagena! ¡Genial! Super! Amazing! ¡Increíble! The trip to Cartagena was the best memory thus far. I met a Bajan friend there and needless to say, it was a Bajan take over. Being able to have someone who can relate to you, to go to the beach and just relax completely was the best thing ever. Cartagena is a must-go-to place. It is modern enough and still filled with history. It has everything for everyone. 8. What would you say to somebody contemplating whether they should study/work in Columbia? To anyone with reservations or contemplating studying/working in Colombia, I would say go for it. The only thing to do is to keep an open mind and remember the words that a friend gave to me, ‘Nothing is better or worse but just different’. It truly is an amazing place and being alone, you have time to reflect on yourself and achieve personal growth. You learn a lot whether it is a language, a culture or simply managing your money. It is an experience that you would never forget. There is good and there is bad but you learn and grow from it all. Don’t pass up any opportunity!

[thebajanfootprint]

Cliche but truly Bittersweet!

8 months ago, I threw a tantrum on  GOL's airplane, who would have thought I may do the exact same thing to go home. Funny. 

There is this picture on my friend's fb page, he is actually a Barbadian living in Brasilia. It's a traffic sign one arrow pointing to 'paradise' and the other in the opposite direction to 'freedom.' This picture sums up my thoughts right now. Barbados is paradise, my everything , my home but Brazil is where I feel free. 

17/10/2013

[thebajanfootprint]

Footprint Trace: Carla, Recife.

Carla, 19. Recife, Brazil.

How long have you been living in Recife? Since late February 2013.

What are you doing in Brazil? Well, I spent this year learning and studying Portuguese. In a few weeks I have to sit a proficiency exam. Next year, I’ll return to start my course in Cinema and Audio-Visual in the same city.

What made you decide to study in Brazil? I’m going to be quite honest - in early 2012 I saw in the newspaper in Barbados that scholarships to study in Brazil were up for grabs. I thought ‘Why not? I’ve always wanted to study and live overseas - why not Brazil?’ So boom- I applied. But afterwards, while waiting to see if I was accepted, I began to do a lot of research (Google was, is and forever will be my best friend.) on the country, the culture and the cities. I became really excited with the prospect of living in another country and learning a whole new language. So when I got news that I was accepted, it all became very real, instead of something in the far off future. I admit, I was a bit apprehensive as it’d be the first time I’d be living away from home, but I knew that I’d never forgive myself if I let this opportunity slip me by.

What was your first impression of Brazil? What surprised you the most? HOT. Haha, no but seriously. The day I arrived was a scorcher in Recife.

I think the genuine friendliness of the people here, especially in Recife. I figured that being a big city, the people would be more closed and impersonal. I happily found out it is the opposite. In the beginning (heck, still now - I have a very strong accent) when I spoke, people would automatically try to help me if I needed directions or whatever, and then always ask where I was from. And they more often then not give me a smile.

What major differences are there between Barbados and Brazil? Well, besides the obvious language and size differences (the sheer size of this country continues to blow my mind!!) there are a few differences between the two, in terms of culture and practices. But I’ve found that Recife is pretty similar to Barbados - especially in terms of weather and climate.

What do you miss the most about home? My family, friends and loved ones. The ‘smallness’ of Barbados at times. Not to mention the food.

What is your greatest memory so far? I have so many good memories of Brazil, and it’s only my first year! But I’d have to say that the people that I met here and the friends I’ve made are the ones who influenced my trip here so far. I’ve made friends with individuals from not just Brazil and South America, but from other countries around the world - it’s pretty freakin’ awesome.

What would you say to somebody contemplating whether they should study in Brazil? Definitely go for it. What do you have to lose? As the Portuguese say, ‘aproveitar’ - make the most of it/take advantage!