São Paulo- A place for my toothbrush

“I was born for this.”

I thought as I carried myself through the day of traveling- one plane to the next and then landing in Brasil and breezing through immigration. I had never traveled alone before and was surprised by how easy it was.

Stepping off the plane, I was met by humidity. “Yup.” I thought to myself. I had arrived in the sub-tropics.

After getting through immigration and now holding a new stamp in my passport, I walked to the entrance of the airport. There were people milling about, some holding signs for the people they were waiting for. Quickly scanning my surroundings and the faces around me, looking for a familiar one, I saw no one.

I walked around for a little bit, my backpack weighing on my shoulders, and mumbled, “Well Brittaney, you’re only in the largest city of Brasil…” Still not seeing my people, I asked God what I should do. I moved over to a corner of the airport, set my backpack down and waited.

Looking around, thinking of how “out of place” I must look, yet trying to keep a confident smile on my face so that I wouldn’t show how confused I was, I wondered if I should move to a more obvious place or if I should keep walking around. I felt like I should stay right where I was. A few minutes later I saw a tall lady with red hair walking towards me, a smile on her face. It was Dayna, the woman I’m leading the team with. A shorter Brazilian man, Sergio, who is part of YWAM (or JOCUM as it is known in Portuguese) was with her.

Relieved, I walked over to her as fast as I could, exclaiming “Oi! I was wondering where you guys were.” They had just come from a church service and had gone to the wrong terminal at first. I was glad to see them.

It was lunch time so we grabbed a bite to eat at McDonalds. Yeah, that’s right, I’m in Brasil and what’s the first thing I eat? It was Sergio’s suggestion and I can now say I’ve eaten McDonalds in 4 different countries (not much of a bragging right).

Standing in line for Mickey D’s, one of the employees says something to me in Portuguese and ushers me along to the next available cashier. I am lost, having no idea what he said, feeling tired and having no idea of what to order (though it be McDonalds and shouldn’t be that difficult- the menu is pretty much the same), I felt overwhelmed.

One of the first thoughts I had, upon arriving in this country, came to me again:

“Am I experiencing culture-shock?”

You would think I would be used to this by now or at least expect it- I have traveled a couple different places, but in most cases I feel as if I’ve never truly experienced a sort of culture shock. For sure, there have been differences and things to get used to, but upon entering Brasil, something felt different.

I have never been in a country where:

1)      I don’t stand out like a sore thumb (Brasil is quite diverse) and

2)      Where English is not spoken. Or very rarely.

In the countries I have been in previously, while they have had their own national language, English is spoken by many and because I have stood out as the obvious foreigner, English has been the first language people speak to me in. To have automatically been spoken to in Portuguese and expected to understand, was a little mind-blowing for me. (Side note- made me think about how foreigners coming into America must feel).

Something one of our DTS speakers said, about learning a new language, came to mind,

“… It is hard, but if you set your heart on it, you will learn a language.”

I will learn Portuguese. I will speak it, breathe it, write it, understand it, and dream in it. I will.

Upon arriving at the JOCUM base, here in São Paulo, I greeted the team members I saw and brought my backpack to my room. Later in the day, the 3 year old on my team heard I was there and came up to see me, I gave him a big hug, apparently he refers to me as his “tiny Brittaney” to his parents- I love the kiddos. (:

I’m learning something about myself- I like to be “settled.” As much as I like to travel, I don’t want to live out of a backpack (unless maybe I’m backpacking). I want to have a “place” for my stuff, even if it’s just a little corner. Seeing my backpack sitting beside my bed, stuffed with my things and having no rhyme or reason seriously irks me. Not having a place to set my toothbrush makes me wonder if it’s all worth it.

 

Seriously.

However, after I’ve settled in and I have made a new “home”, I’m here. My feet are planted and I will imagine staying here for an undetermined amount of time. Even if, in all reality, it’s only a week.

It’s been a whole 24 hours in this new country, new city, and new place. Is it home yet? I can’t say that it is. I have no doubt however, that soon it will be.

I’m going to go make a place for my toothbrush now.

This is me,

Brittaney :)