it´s on

So many stories to tell...I begin with my host mom, Zélia. She lives alone, has no children and reminds me a lot of a mix between my mom and my aunt Sally. She recently designed the Botanical Garden of Salvador and is currently co-authoring a book on Afro-Brasilian culture/community and indigenous plants in the area, sound familiar to anyone? It is a comfortable apartment, very nice actually, where I have my own room and bathrom--pictures coming soon--and we have a maid, Terésa, who cooks and cleans...more on this later for those of you who know I´m having serious issues on this front. Last night I met Zélia´s extended family: her sister-in-law--her brother died less than a year ago--and her four kids from 13-21 y.o. They were wonderful and it was nice to have a full family meal, things were pretty quiet this morning with just she and I. Yet, I did say I was independent and wanted my space so I guess I´ll get it.
Secondly, the student who lives across the street from me with another family has opened my eyes. She is a 20yo who 1. has never used a tampon (moderately long story for why I know this) and 2. wants to be a wrestler and thus is getting breast implants after we return home. I have many other anecdotes about this but, mostly, am so happy to be part of the "older" crowd. There are about 8 graduate students many with whom which I have overlapping interests, this is a happy thing.
We had our first morning of class today and I think that I´ll get to remain in the advanced class and am thrilled to be conversing and moving about the world here. I can speak Portuguese, who would have thought! Today we have our first culture class, including a Capoiera demonstration. There are classes every afternoon which I´m planning on joining. My head is spinning with thoughts, analyses and questions. I continue to feel so thankful to be here and that my visa came on time. As I was told before I left, "once you get down there you´ll forget it all and just enjoy Brasil" you were right: I´m in heaven.
Hope to hear from you all.