Fala Ingles

It`s funny how easy you settle in to new places when you travel around so much. Each host family offer you a home from home- something we`re very grateful for. I`ve taken to watching English language programmes with subtitles to try and brush up on my Portuguese. You find here that everyone says they can only speak a little English and then manages to chat perfectly. When I say I speak um pouco I mean it! We`ve also become a little frustrated when we can`t be understood when we know that we`re saying the right thing. Even asking for a Coke can prove problematic! Apparently it`s our accents. People here are used to hearing American ones, and it seems a British one can cause difficulty. Porto Vehlo is another place you don`t get too many tourists and we certainly stand out. Blue eyes and blonde hair is also a rarity and probably so is sunburn, naming no names!

This afternoon we visited a project for teenagers from poor families which aims to give them vocational skills to go out and make something of their lives. We heard that the majority of students at the churdh-funded Centro Salesiano do Menor have troubled backgrounds with such things as drug and alcohol abuse in the family. We were very impressed with the courses available- IT, ceramics, furniture making and upholstering and crafts including jewelry making and advanced origami(!). We heard how a number of students had gone on to successfully start up and run their own businesses.

On the way home Fernando took us to a vantage point to see the River Madeira in all its glory. It`s called that because of the force it has to rip trees apart and pull them into the river. It`s also full of Pirhana fish apparently!

Tonight we enjoyed a night at an Irish stroke Canadian stroke British pub with our hosts and helpers. Live music and beer is always welcome!