Anna Prorok
September 28, 2014
Tutoring Session No. 10
Nina's House
I truly cannot begin to tell you how incredible this evening was. I met Abdul outside of Nina's apartment and we walked in together, myself carrying my one casserole dish with freshly cooked kielbasa and cabbage, and Abdul carrying a large, silver pot, Kabssa spices, Arabic coffee and tea, a dessert, Pepsi, and all the other ingredients for the Kabssa. Abdul and I were met outside by Nina and her friend Nathalia who helped Abdul and I find the right apartment. Before I even reached the front door, my nose was engulfed in a delicious aroma of food I had never had the pleasure of smelling before. As I walked in, I saw five people in the kitchen cooking away and dancing while listening to Brazilian music. It was awesome. Everyone was so warm and welcoming and happy to meet me. I was ecstatic to meet each one of them. On the stove Andressa was cooking black beans with bacon, sausage, and rice. She also made something with bacon, egg, and shaved Cassava which she let me try and it was delicious. Nina didn't hesitate to show me the desserts they had already made which included Brigadeiro (which are heavenly chocolate balls rolled in sprinkles that taste like caramel and Nutella mixed together) and a key lime substance that was in the fridge and freezer to thicken. It resembled pudding. I have no idea what it was called but it was delicious. Alyce and Nina were drinking a certain Brazilian tea that was a cup, a huge amount of tea leaves, and ice water you pour straight over the leaves. To drink it, you use a certain type of straw called a bombilla that filters out the tea leaves so you're left with this delicious, infused water. I got to try and it it's really very refreshing. Nina then introduced me to a delicious Brazilian soda called Guarana Antarctica, which was kind of like a mix between Mountain Dew and Ginger Ale, but not too sweet at all. Abdul started straightaway cutting up the two whole, fresh chickens he brought with him and the spices. I helped where I could but he knew what he was doing. I couldn't believe the amount of work he put into this dish, not to mention the delicious cake he made out of dates and the Arabic tea and coffee he brought along with him.
Once dinner was ready, everyone got ready to eat. Two of the girls literally started to cry tears of happiness because this was the first time any of them had had real Brazilian food since coming to the United States. They eat at Fresh Food or Suwanee for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Everyone was so excited and I was so happy to be a part of it. The food was amazing and so was the company. Three guys came over and ate with us to make the dinner party a grand total of ten people. After dinner we had dessert, Arabic coffee and tea in the living room and we all sat in a big circle. They asked me questions about American culture and I asked them questions about how certain aspects differed in Brazil. The questions ranged from how relationships start in America and what each of them were planning on doing after their time in CIES and FSU. We talked about some of their experiences so far in the States, including how American guys approach the girls in the night clubs, and how different American men and women are from their Brazilian counterparts. They could not fathom the fact that Americans do not give kisses on the cheeks when saying hello. They thought that was the weirdest thing. They showed me music videos of famous Brazilian singers as well as a video from the Brazilian week long celebration called, "Carnaval", which sounds incredible. I told them we should celebrate it in Tallahassee next year.
Altogether, this was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and I owe it to this TEFL course and the amazing students in CIES who are all so full of life and so warm and welcoming. I encourage everyone to try and get to know your tutees and conversation partners on this level. You can't put a price tag on new cultural experiences.
Once dinner was ready, everyone got ready to eat. Two of the girls literally started to cry tears of happiness because this was the first time any of them had had real Brazilian food since coming to the United States. They eat at Fresh Food or Suwanee for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Everyone was so excited and I was so happy to be a part of it. The food was amazing and so was the company. Three guys came over and ate with us to make the dinner party a grand total of ten people. After dinner we had dessert, Arabic coffee and tea in the living room and we all sat in a big circle. They asked me questions about American culture and I asked them questions about how certain aspects differed in Brazil. The questions ranged from how relationships start in America and what each of them were planning on doing after their time in CIES and FSU. We talked about some of their experiences so far in the States, including how American guys approach the girls in the night clubs, and how different American men and women are from their Brazilian counterparts. They could not fathom the fact that Americans do not give kisses on the cheeks when saying hello. They thought that was the weirdest thing. They showed me music videos of famous Brazilian singers as well as a video from the Brazilian week long celebration called, "Carnaval", which sounds incredible. I told them we should celebrate it in Tallahassee next year.
Altogether, this was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and I owe it to this TEFL course and the amazing students in CIES who are all so full of life and so warm and welcoming. I encourage everyone to try and get to know your tutees and conversation partners on this level. You can't put a price tag on new cultural experiences.
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