Festa Junina

This past weekend there was a festival held at the school called "Festa Junina". I don't have a direct translation for "Junina" but it has something to do with a June party. It celebrates Saint John, Saint Peter, and Saint Anthony and involves a lot of traditional food, drink, and dancing called the "quadrilha" which is like a square dance. I had a great time seeing the students, watching the class dances, and eating all the wonderful food!!!

On Saturday evening to celebrate my birthday, Fernando took us out to a bar called "Squat". Strange name, I know. Here are a few pictures from the night...

My classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays have been going pretty well. Most classes are well-behaved, but there is one class in the afternoon that is horrible. They talk, talk, talk, and then talk some more. It's like they have no idea how to behave in a classroom. Other teachers have the same problem, it's not just me, but it probably doesn't help that I speak only English so they aren't understanding much of what I say. Oh well, that's part of the experience for them! And me too, since I don't understand much of what they tell me in Portuguese.

 In the adult class we decided we're going out to eat on our last night of class, about 15 of us. The original plan was to just meet at school and then go out to the restaurant, but I thought it was funny that they all wanted to have an hour of class and then go out. A few of the adults came up to Michelle and I after class saying they are really enjoying it and are sad we're leaving in July because the classes won't continue. It was good to hear that!

This weekend Michelle and I are heading to Foz do Iguacu. We're flying out on Friday afternoon and returning on Sunday afternoon. In the city of Foz do Iguacu are huge waterfalls on the border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. We'll go to the Brazilian side of the falls of course, but apparently the Argentinian side of the falls is worth seeing as well so hopefully we'll make a trip there. It looks like it might rain but I'm hoping it'll hold off while we're there!