Rotary Exchange Student - Jess Mokrzycki's November report from Brazil
Posted by Marina Lamb
on Dec 05, 2013
Here is Prince Rupert Rotary exchange student Jess Mokrzycki's November report from Brazil (and this month also from the Amazon!)
Hello there everyone! Hope all is beyond well with you all. I've now reached my four month mark and I’m still holding the never ending question of....where has the time gone? I’m left bewildered ... click on more to read the rest of her report.
as I see Christmas decorations near palm trees. My emotions are indescribable as I am beyond words happy, from one thing to another this month would have to be a big cherry on top of my last four amazing months I've had here in Brazil.
I had my last week of school at the beginning of November, just before I headed on my Grand Viagem. Now I have no school until February as we are on our “Summer Holidays”. I will continue to attend Portuguese lessons in the next two months and also I will start looking into a local University here in my City to start up in February. I am currently unsure of the exact subject that I will try and study but I am really looking forward to the challenge.
I can't emphasize enough how thankful I am, this month I went on my Grand Viagem through Rotary. We spent two amazing weeks traveling in places I could once only dream of seeing. From a bundle of city tours from one side of Brazil to the other, in places as distant as Brasilia to Manaus. From walks through the rain forest to an adventurous three night stay in the middle of the amazon and on top of that, sleeping on a boat in hammocks. Something I would never have imagined to do. I got to see the Amazon in a different way than just through a textbook or the discovery channel. A bundle of activities such as hunting for alligators at night, piraña fishing and swimming with wild pink dolphins. Amazing doesn't even begin to fully describe everything. This trip was truly unforgettable. As far as unforgettable goes, I had endless questions to the black eye that appeared in several of my photos. (you may have noticed). I thoroughly enjoyed to tell the story of me and my encounter with one of those wild pink dolphins. However, truth be told...it’s yet again nothing other than another story on how my clumsiness adds some more spice to my life. As I did nothing more than miss a step on to a bridge. Now I will always be reminded of the Amazon when I look into the mirror at my beauty of a scar. (So there you go, the cats out of the bag.)
After the Amazon we went to an incredible place called Jericoacoara for three days, from driving through hills of sand to almost the middle of nowhere lies this city filled of sand. Literally from the beach to the hotel to the restaurant...you name it, sand was between your toes. This is one place I know I will want to return to in my life time as it was one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen in my life. After this place we made our way to Fortaleza, which was a complete model of how I pictured Brazil. While spending three days in Fortaleza, we got to enjoy some time on the beach to see unique markets and went to a Beach Park. I went on some of the most insane slides I have ever seen in my life, I will tell you one thing....I survived!
A big highlight for me of being in Fortaleza I must add.. would have to be, seeing Flavia Petri (a former exchange student in district 5040) who I met through both RYLA and Outbound. I got to have a short and sweet visit with her which reminded me how small the world is after all and the amazing connections Rotary has made for me. After witnessing some of the most beautiful places and sharing every moment with people from all over the world I’m left speechless and beyond thankful for the amazing experiences I am given.
November has come to an end and I hear myself saying again... Christmas is so close. I am now all cozy in my second host family and easing into the holiday feels here in Brazil. Here’s to a warm December. Never will there ever be enough thank you’s said. I am sending warm hugs your way and wish you all the best for what the wonderful season has to bring to you and your families. Lots of love, until next year (January)
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year..or in other words...Feliz natal e um prospero ano novo. Jess