!!BRASIL!!

2012-05-16T22:46:00.001-07:00

Currently i am visiting a friend of mine who is from Denmark, i met her on my Amazon Trip.
she is really sweet and caring, she lives in the south, her city has the finest soil for agriculture in the whole of Brasil.

i am here since two day and leaving for SP for my final documentation getting stamped from the Indian Consulate, validating my one here which i completed here in Brasil,

Time to say Good-Bye

2012-05-16T22:39:00.001-07:00

Here i am, exactly two weeks left before i go back to my land, India.
I dont know how i feel, i am just so confused, as i have mixed feelings.
i want to go back as well as stay here in Brasil forever...
but as my host sister said, if i have to live in Brasil i have to live like a Brasilian, and a Brasilian life is not easy.
right now im living life of an exchange student, which is easy, i dont have to study or work..
but if i live here, i have to live like i am one of them.
so i am really confused, as i am excited to go back & and at the sasme time i dont wanna leave Brasil.
Brasil was my land of dreams.

My Successful Rotary Presentation on India

2012-03-04T17:08:00.000-08:00

My Rotary Presentation which i gave in my Host-Country Brasil, it was a true success and was appreciated by everyone.
Was really happy after giving it.

PS :- Enjoy the photos. :D

The Well Known Urban Dictionary Meaning of an EXCHANGE STUDENT.

2012-01-31T19:31:00.000-08:00

Urban Dictionary definition:
Foreign exchange student;
"Most awesome person you will ever meet. Exchange students willingly decide to get off their butts, leave their home country, and go see the world. For that reason, they should be given a heck of a lot of credit. Usually, a foreign exchange student will have a funny accent and not speak your language very well. This is all the more reason to hang out with them, because everything will suddenly become that much more hilarious. Also, they are generally young
people, and have the tendency to be extremely good looking"

A faze when you feel lonely.

2012-01-13T19:42:00.000-08:00

On an exchange there is always a time when you don't miss your country or your family there, it is either because your Host Family is very good or you have many friends which dont make you feel like as if you are away in another country alone, only with your 4 bags and not speaking your host language. I guess i just passed that time in my first four months. But now my time is changing, dont know why but i am missing my family back India.
i just feel like that all my friends are going far away from me or dont know what, my second family is excellent, they dont let me feel as i am here, they take good care of me as if i am their own son.
but now suddenly i am feeling lonely, and i dont want to go back to India or stay in brasil, i just got many mixed feelings.
but i know how to tackle them, so i think i will get out of this very fast, as i am a tuff guy :D
dont want to write more, so for now, tchauzinho, :D

Commonly known as "The Bumblebee" from the popular movie Transformers.

2012-01-10T12:45:00.001-08:00

All thanks to my First Host Mother and her job, for those who don't know, she is the Financial Manager Of the Sulpave Chevrolet here in Registro-SP.
When they had the Camaro on display she took me to have a watch.
It is a dream car to buy. A worth Rs.55,50,000 car,

Sulpave, Chevrolet's showroom.

Flashback.

2012-01-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

Lets look at some of the old memories (4 month old memories ;D) ,
this was how warmly i was welcomed at the Guaralho-SP Airport on the 9th of August, 2011. A day to remember when i stepped in Brasil with no regrets.
My District Secretary and my host parents were there waiting on the Airport for me.
Here are some of the photos which i would like to share with you all.
(Those other two with me are my friends Naitik Majlani and other female is a friend of Naitik.)

My First Host Brother, Leonardo or "Leozinho"

From Right to Left: Jalpa Jain (Friend of Naitik), Naitik Majlani and Me (Shreyansh Patel)

My First Host Mother, Adriana Paixao Gil.

My District Secretary, CINTIA.

Registro-SP

2012-01-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

Registro - Ancient and Modern

Registro-SP, "THE CAPITAL OF TEA"

2012-01-08T14:32:00.001-08:00

Registro is a municipality Brazilian state of Sao Paulo . It is located in the middle region of the South Coast Paulista, Sao Paulo in the portion of the Ribeira Valley and is accessed through the Régis Bittencourt Highway (BR-116). It is bordered to the north by the municipality of Juquiá , south down Jacupiranga and Pariquera-Acu , to the east by Iguape and west of Eldorado and Sete Barras .

Registro has about 80 neighborhoods spread in 716, 331 square kilometers with about 55 000 inhabitants. The cultural and economic and population density mean that registration is known as "Capital of the Ribeira Valley," or also as "Tea Capital", in allusion to one of the main products exported by the municipality, especially in the mid-1990s .

The city is officially (according to Decree No. 50652 of March 30, 2006) Marco Japanese Colonization of the State of São Paulo because it would have been the first town to receive Japanese immigrants interested in investing in its own production in the State of Sao Paulo. The Joint Iguape (colonies of registry, or Sete Barras and Katsura Giporuva) was chronologically the first large colony formed by the Japanese in Brazil, and also the first among the colonies founded by private capital Nipponese.

Located in the cultural city of Japanese immigration to be preserved by the Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan): Headquarters Kaigai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, old tea factories and the homes of early settlers Japanese, the Episcopal Church and St. Francis Xavier and the first seedlings of the variety of tea Assam. At various points in the city of registration are installed sculptures by the artist Yutaka Toyota made with material from old tea factories and warehouses and rice processing mill.

Whats it like to be an Exchange Student

2012-01-08T14:26:00.001-08:00

If anyone wants to know what's it like to be a exchange student :

* when you do something wronge,people look at you weird and your excuse is "well that's how we do in my country"..even if itsn't

*you have gone into greet someone with a handshake and found yourself being pulled into a awkward hug/and a kiss on cheek

*you spend a lot of time smiling ,nodding,and pretending you understand what's going on

*it becomes a habit to introduce yourself by saying " I am from (country) and my name is (name) "

*you have tried so many different food only because you can not understand the person is asking you what you want ,you just nod your head and pray that it tastes half-decent

*you sometimes walk around school during breaks to act like you are doing something because you don't see anyone you recognize and don't want to stand there awkward

* you actually get a HIGH-FIVE when you understood what someone said to you

Fishing \o/

2012-01-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

Did fishing for the first time in my life :D

it was a great experience, went good.

Went for the Concert of a Brasilian Band "RPM"

2012-01-08T07:01:00.000-08:00

Please do read this one, took weeks to complete this :D Happy Reading :)

2012-01-04T20:39:00.000-08:00

.-How are you going to know what a dream is...if you've never completed one.

.-How are you going to know what an adventure is...if you never undertook one.

.-How are you going to know what anguish is...if you never told your family and friends "see you soon"
with your eyes full of tears.

.-How are you going to know what desperation is...if you never arrived in a place, alone, without understanding anything the others were saying

.-How are you going to know what it means to miss someone...if you've never been away from home

.-How are you going to know what diversity is...if you've never shared under the same roof with people from all over the world

.-How are you going toknow what tolerance is...if you've never had to get used to something different, even if you don't like it.

.-How are you going to know what independence is...if you've never had to make decisions for yourself.

.-How are you going to know what it means to grow...if you never quit being a child to start in a new
direction.

.-How are you going to know what disability is...if you've never had to urge to hug someone, but the
computer screen got in your way

.-How are you going to know what distance is...if you've never looked at a map and said "Wow, I'm far"

.-How are you going to know what a language is...if youve never had to learn one to make friends

.-How are you going to know what patriotism is...if you've never shouted "I love my country" holding a flag in the hand.

.-How are you going to know what a party is...if you've never traveled hours to go to one

.-How are you going to know what true reality is...if you've never had the opportunity to see many different ones so you can create your own.

.-How are you going to know what an opportunity is...if you've never taken advantage of one

.-How are you going to know what pride is...if you never felt it for yourself when you realize what you've accomplished.

.-How are you going to know what it means to seize the moment...if you've never seen how time passed through your hands with great strides

.-How are you going to know what a friend is...if the circumstances never taught you which ones are real

.-How are you going to know what a family is...if you've never had one that supported you unconditionally

.-How are you going to know what your boundaries are...if you've never passed them to see what lies beyond.

.-How are you going to know what money is...if you never had to manage it to get along.

.-How are you going to know what imagination is...if you've never thought about the moment you get back home

.-How are you going to know what the world is...if you never were an EXCHANGE STUDENT

Kart Race with an other exchange student from Indonesia.

2012-01-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

This was my first time when i drove a car, hence i did not win as Bobby (Exchange Student from Indonesia) knew how to drive a car, that lucky guy has a driving license cause your allowed to drive after 17.

Proudly Representing District 3140.

2012-01-04T20:22:00.000-08:00

Life of an Exchange Student.

2012-01-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

EXCHANGE STUDENT
The Exchange Student (Exchangius Studentidos): The exchange student is a rare and beautiful animal, which lives in all parts of the world. It's easy to spot an Exchangius Studentidos because of an insane amount of bracelets and because it never truly fits in with the surrounding environment (somehow it always manages to be different even though it is trying to fit in).
The exchange student is rarely seen in day light, it is mostly nocturnal. Because of this people often think the exchange student uses most of its time sleeping, this is however not true. It is very fond of cameras, skype, and alcohol. It is an EXTREMELY social animal, which when you put into a group of non-exchange students has a tendency of raising the mood and noise level of the group.
If you wish to see an exchange student, a good place to look is in the streets after midnight, preferably close to local bars or clubs. The exchange student seems to be well at home in these places. It has been observed that when exchange students are gathered in a group (which occurs very often), that the chance of yells, screams and loud laughing is increased by 97%. These groups of exchange students have a rather amazing skill. Whatever place they go to, be it a bus stop, a small bar or a fancy club, they always make the party, and seem to get the attention from all non-exchange students around, even though they are not really aware of it. They will 9 out of 10 times also drink intoxicating amounts of alcohol, and when this happens there is no telling what will happen next.
The exchange student seems to show an abnormal amount of pleasure when doing things it is not allowed to. This might be because it is an extremely free animal, but is always caged by the rules of the society that surrounds it. The exchange student is almost impossible to tame, and has little care of what others think, because it is always out of its natural habitat and knows it never really fits in anyways. It is not rare that the exchange student changes mate, it has many times been seen changing mates several times per night.
Contrary to popular belief the exchange student is a very intelligent being, which often speaks two or more languages. It has been reported though that it has a huge vocabulary of random words in many different languages, and it is very good at learning to trash talk in new languages. Through all the studies of the exchange student, we have found that the only thing that seems to drive them, and that they care about, is just having the best time possible.
NOTE: Upon approaching a group of exchange students be prepared for memory loss, a lot of laughter and an empty wallet.

My Second Host Family.

2012-01-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

Climate of Registro-SP

2012-01-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

oh yeah, this is a special post for all who read, in Registro, the current city i live. Is known "The Hell of Sao Paulo", as it experiences the hottest summer and the coldest winter, it goes upto 51 degrees and 5 degrees in the winters. After i came from my trip, i experienced 4 days 41 - 36 degrees and suddenly started raining. For the Indians, here you can experience all the four seasons in one day, it will be hot in the morning, suddenly starts raining out of no where, and in the night it will as chilly as its in Delhi.

here is one photo which says "In Brasil only exists 2 climates :- Cold as F*** and Hot as F#$%"
(Sorry, for the bad language :P)

2011-12-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

Nordeste Nov-Dez 2011.

2011-12-23T06:39:00.000-08:00

Ola,

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Writing my monthly report for December, I know its late but was on my trip so couldn’t write it earlier.

I had gone for my first Rotary Trip, it was for 27 days from 20^th November to 24^th December , visited the full North-East part of the Brazil, including the famous Cities like, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Bahia, Natal, and also the capital city Brasilia. Visited the Christ Statue in Rio de Janeiro, which was the best thing that could happen.

The trip was really exciting as it had 105 Exchange Students from 22 different countries. Met everyone for the first time, as didn’t know anybody. Stayed with them for 27 days, made new friends, exchanged cards and pins. Represented India in the “Talent Show” where I wore Indian clothes and PROUDLY sung the NATIONAL ANTHEM.

The most exciting I found was the “FAVELAS” commonly known as slums in English, the tour guide said that there were many brasilians also who haven’t entered the favelas as they are scared. He said that one month before the favelas were safe as the drug dealers protected it, and today after one month it is safe because the police are there. He said that 15 – 20 years back even the police were scared to enter as the drug dealers had more powerful and better armaments, so the police force used to go early morning hide in a place and in the night used to encounter and used to leave, but now that the police force has improved with the help of the government they have dominated the place. We were also taken to the place were “fast and furious 5 (fast 5) ” was filmed in the favelas. Also Rio de Janeiro has the two most famous beaches of Brazil, and one of them is the “The Copacabana Beach” where most of the parts of movie “Dhoom 2” was filmed. And also the state Bahia and city Salvador are the cities for which Capoeira is famous, I also did Capoeira the Capoeira people who had come to show us what is capoeira, feels good when you have 100’s of people cheering you and doing Capoeira a Brazilian sport with the Brazilians. Also visited the worlds biggest cashew tree. In Brasilia we were taken to the “Congress Meeting Hall and the Parliament House and also were the President Meeting room, where she conducts her Important meetings, We also saw the Presidents House.” Felt great to visit these sites.

Also just wanted to tell you this that the Capital city Brasilia is a city which was planned by an architect who lives in Rio, he planned the full city by airplane and was made accordingly, hence they call Brasilia “a Planned City”.

Over all it was a good experience as now I am rich with foreign friends and its always good to socialize.

And talking about the preparation of Christmas, the whole city is lighted up, people are going mad behind shopping, they have taken holiday from work only for the preparation of Christmas.

Don’t have much to write as the whole month was on the trip, but surely in January will have a lot to write as will experience my first SUMMER CHRISTMAS.

Regards.

Finally a post after a really long time...

2011-10-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Yes! A post after a really long time, as getting busy with new friends, rotary projects and helping my Host Mother!!
Went travelling to near by cities, Cananeia, Parisquera-Acu, Jacupiranga, Santos, Sao Paulo & Taubate (:
visited my parents family in Taubate, really good pople enjoyed a lot with them, really liking here.

For now nothing more to write, will post soon.
tchau
bjos :*

Specially for my Mom...

2011-09-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

This one’s for you ma:-

Today Jalpa was coming again to Registro to spend the weekend. My domestic worker did not turn up, so after school Leonardo, my host mom and me went to RESKILO for lunch. On the way back my mom told Leonardo and me to clean the house, make our respective beds, clean the kitchen and bathroom. In front of my mom my brother agreed, but as we entered he sat on the computer and I also forgot as my friend Marcio had come home. We played some soccer and did time pass. Marcio then asked me if I would like to go with him where he worked, I called up my mom and told her that I’ll be back in an hour as we had to then go to pick up Jalpa. I told my brother to wash the dishes and the bathroom and I would keep the dishes in place and clean my room, but my brother being stubborn told me to clean the full kitchen!!

I left home angrily as he rules a lot when there is no one around. After about one and a half hour when I came back he was not at home and he had spoilt my bed which I made before I left, I got really angry at him. I made my bed again, cleaned the bathroom, cleaned the kitchen and the main is “I CLEANED THE PLATES” . Even I don’t believe that but I actually the house including the rest room!!

I am really very happy and proud of myself as I would have never done all this if I would have been in India…

And I am sure that everybody who knows me closely will be proud of me when they read this!! :D

My First Capoeira Class :D

2011-09-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Capoeira Class :-

Ah finally, the Rotary found Capoeira classes for us (an Australian Exchange ,Yuri & me :P), it was good, it was from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Four and a half hours of capoeira it was tiring. At the end of the day I couldn’t walk. The professor of capoeira was good, he dropped us back, and also invited us to watch the Senior Class, he spoke to Ricardo that as it is late he will pick us up & drop us back!! Below is a small introduction about capoeira, for who those who are new to this term :-

Capoeira (Portuguese pronunciation: [kapuˈejɾɐ]) is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts,sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly power kicks and quick leg sweeps, with some ground and aerial acrobatics, knee strikes, take-downs, elbow strikes, punches and headbutts.

In martial arts the best or the master in other words where’s a “BLACK BELT” but in capoeira the master where’s a “WHITE BELT” which signifies that he is INVISIBLE.

Capoeira is really fun and exciting, and this is all I can say, the next class is tomorrow.

This is the blog of my Capoeira Classes :-
http://nossosenhordobonfim.blogspot.com/

A weekend spent at a friends house.

2011-09-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend was really good, I enjoyed a lot! I was supposed to go to Sao Paulo to watch a Santos match but it got cancelled and even my host brother Leonardo was not in town, he had gone to Sao Paulo for some school picnic so I was bored alone at home. My host mothers friend Nilton, took me out for lunch and invited me for dinner at his place.

Around 20:00 hours my Host parents dropped me at his house, he also had his neighbours at his home for dinner, he introduced me to them, clicked some photos, it was good meeting new people, I like it as the whole point of this exchange is meet new and different people!

Had dinner, he had made a very good dessert, it was strawberry, custard, jelly and whip cream with strawberry pieces on top, it was very yummy :P

He asked me if I would like to stay at his, I didn’t mind so he spoke to my mum and she said yes! We were watching a movie “NEVER LET ME GO”, it was a very nice and touching movie!!

Then i finally slept at 2, I was very tired….

The next day (i.e. today :P) I got up at 10, met his niece and nephew, his sister and his mother, they all are very good and polite.

He dropped me back home at 3, I slept for a while and then did a little time pass on my notebook.

This was my weekend, I enjoyed a lot.

Food found in Brasil

2011-09-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

The food:-

This is the first thing which everybody wants to know before they go to any place.

People who are planning to visit brasil, be prepared for the following:-

- All kinds of meat.

- Chicken

- Fish

- Rice

- Beans

- Potato

They love eating meat, its like in their every meal meat is there. They also have barbeques in each and every house, as it is very popular here. Every Sunday they have a barbeque party, with some music, beer, bbq & guarana.

I being a vegetarian only had Rice and Beans with salad (i.e. cucumber, carrots and tomatoes) and potato fries!

But it is not a problem as they have rice and beans equally. The one more important thing I noticed was they put olive oil in everything pizza, salad, bread and in every meal which is possible.

They have different kind cheese:-

§ Catupiry

§ Minas (a. k. a. "Queijo Minas Padrão", "Queijo Frescal" and "Queijo Curado")

§ Coalho

§ Requeijão

§ Prato

They have pieces of raw cheese sometimes with in their dinner.

Another popular thing is Pastel with sugarcane juice. They hog on Pastel and sugarcane juice, they have stalls of this in the weekly market.

Pastel is nothing but bhatura( popular with the Indians) with meat, cheese, pizza filling, and different flavours in a rectangle shape.

Below are the photos of different kind of "QUEIJO"( cheese) and Pastel :-

It is really tasty :D