My final full week began with a common Brazilian theme - football. I went to the Pernambuco Arena with the some of the boys and staff from Hope House to see one of the local team's final game of the season. Sport (the name of the team) were playing São Paulo (from the Capital) who finished second in Brazil's top league. Anyone interested in world football might be aware that Kaka, one of the best players in the world a few years ago, has been playing for São Paulo this year. Unfortunately, he was not playing but I enjoyed the game, although one of the staff, Flavio, and one of the boys enjoyed seeing Sport win more as they support the team. It was a good goal to win the game (see link below)
Sport Recife 1 - 0 São Paulo
http://youtu.be/eZcvzT8_Z5I
This week seems to have been a week of parties - we have been to three!
Party number 1: This was arranged by a church community in Recife. They put chairs and tables out in front of a church in central Recife and encouraged street families to join them. During the evening, they danced for them, sang to the people, and gave out food including a little bit of cake.
Party number 2: It was the final week of the English class for girls and to celebrate the end of term, we had cakes, ice cream, drinks and more cakes. We also watched 'Despicable Me' in Portuguese. Luckily for me, we had English subtitles. It was amusing this way as when the minions spoke, the subtitles simply said 'talking gibberish'. At the end of the party, gifts were presented to the teachers of the group and we were surprised to be included too! We have a lovely card from many of the girls although I need a little help reading it as it is naturally in Portuguese.
Party number 3: On Saturday morning, we had the biggest of all the parties. Almost all of the boys who attend the football project, came to the base for the Show de Bola party. It started rather early with the boys arriving from 8am - yes, 8 in the morning! Lots of activities were available including painted tattoos, trampolines, candy floss, playing in the swimming pool and even a couple of football tournaments - well, you can't have 100 boys who love football at a party without football!
In the morning, one of the staff, Frank from Senegal in Africa, who lives here with his family, organised two tournaments. I played in the African Cup of Nations tournament with my team. It was great fun but tiring and hot in the Brazilian sun. My team played really well and we won the tournament. It seems that playing with Brazilians has helped my football skills!
The boys all seemed to having a great time and really enjoyed playing in the pool. However, they then decided that they wanted to throw all the staff into the pool...including me! It was all done in good spirits and just for fun, although I am glad that they considered my lack of swimming ability and so they put me in the shallower end of the pool.
After lunch, the boys sat down for a presentation. During this time, they gave out gifts for commitment/attendance, and all of the boys received a gift too. The staff, including me, were also given a present.
It was a fantastic party and I will miss working with the boys. It has been really good to have had this opportunity and when I have seen the boys in and around the local community, they seem to have been pleased to see me too.
This coming week, I will be landing at Gatwick Airport, and I'm sure that I will see lots of signs of Christmas on my journey home including lots of Christmas lights and trees - things that are familiar to me regarding Christmas in the UK. Some of these customs also exist in Brazil, but Christmas here does have some differences:
Father Christmas, or as he is known in Brazil - Papai Noel wears red silk because it is too hot for him to wear the same clothes as he does in the UK. In Brazil, Santa Claus is called Papai Noel & Bom Velhinho (Good Old Man).
There is a very common tradition among friends and families, called amigo secreto (secret friend). At the beginning of December, participants in the game write their name on a piece of paper. Each participant takes a paper (but does not reveal the name of the person on it). During the month there are exchanges of correspondence among the participants who use apelidos (fake names). At Christmas, family and friends gather to reveal their secret friends and offer them a special gift.
Favourite Christmas foods in Brazil include chicken, turkey, ham, rice, salad, pork and fresh and dried fruits.
Also, many people start the Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve with fireworks and a big churrasco (barbecue).
Finally, there are many, many things that I will miss about Brazil but there are many things that I am also looking forward to about returning to the UK. Here a just a few of them:
I will miss being able to wear shorts day and night.
I am looking forward to the weather being more like that associated with Christmas. Hot sunny days do not feel too much like Christmas.
I will miss the children we have met in both the projects and the on the streets.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at West Leigh again and meeting 6W properly.
I will miss being able to get Guarana almost anywhere - I don't think I would survive here without it!
I am looking forward to getting fresh milk. In this area of Brazil, fresh milk is less common; it would go off very quickly in this climate.
I will miss the friends we have made here including one incredibly friendly Brazilian who is originally from the Amazon.
I am looking forward to seeing my family, especially as it will be nearing Christmas.
And so we say goodbye. In a couple of days, we will be back home. Whether we return again, or keep in touch another way, it has been a very special time, and I am glad that I have been able to share it with you also.
Tchau!
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