


But now we're all settled in, even

the furniture in the rooms while we were out. Our room has plenty of space for putting items, and the bathroom is really cool. And let's not forget the pool!! The water is freezing cold right now, but it feels great after a long day of much too warm bus rides. Most of the Lake District houses have pools, fortunately, because we may be moving again. . .but to a place for free rent next month in the North Lake District (we are in the South).

Another adjustment we've had to make is the ridiculous bus system, that nobody, not even the bus drivers themselves, understand! Last week we had to just try hopping a few buses from Lago Sul, crossing our fingers that they'd go by where we needed them to. By Friday I think most of us figured them out from our new location, though it means waiting at the bus station at around 7am for Marshall and I with our 8am classes. This week we're hoping to get a student pass to help cut down costs, since it's almost impossible to get anywhere by walking-- though we did try last week a few times. Not so fun. The city was planned with the idea that every person would have a car. Duh JK!! (The president of Brazil that decided to move the capital was Juscelino Kubitschek, hence JK.) I also had a great day on Friday hanging out with the herpetology lab students. We went collecting for some lizards/skinks (not sure which just yet) at the Botanical Garden the the Ecological Reserve. It was a great time and I'm excited to go back again!
Then yesterday, after sleeping in for the first time in a week and having brunch, we all (Tina, Rafael--another housemate with a car!--, Marshall and I) decided to try to find a waterfall called Saia Velha, and then take a visit to the Congress buildings. While everything didn't quite go as planned, considering we didn't have a map or very good directions, it was still a great day of adventures.



Then Rafael said he'd never visited the Catetinho, the first actual Brasilia building.


While Brasilia was being constructed the president JK and his directors/engineers stayed at these little cabins. And apparently he liked the color pink!




Brazilian government is very similar to our American system, with the two houses, though their senate is three per state since they only have 26 states.





Afterward we tried to visit the bank museum, with different currencies and big gold bars on display, but ended up heading to the National Museum that hosts different art exhibits. It's the Star Wars looking building that Marshall, Tina, and Rafael are headed into in the picture. And then back home again for a big meal together and some chit-chatting!



Today we had lots planned because of our Brazilian BBQ! We went shopping this morning for lots of food, and were been busy cooking for most of the afternoon. Right now we are headed to see the new Batman movie at the theater-- subtitled for the Portuguese-challenged among us. . .
2 comments:
HOLA
Soy Joana y sigo vuestras aventuras día a día; creo que es un mundo diferente, inclusive dentro de Latinoamérica; este País tiene una influencia muy grande de África; por consiguiente el carácter de las personas es diferente también a otros países de su alrededor. Bueno es una experiencia más en vuestra vida, y me alegra mucho
Con todo cariño PETONETS JOANA
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