a new one.

So, the task for this week is to find a place to live. Anyone who has ever tried to do this in a foreign country before should share insights. I think my first step is to maybe take a walk around the neighborhood that I am staying in (near the university, pretty nice) with pencil and paper, and write down a few phone numbers of things that are written under 'aluga-se' (for rent). I have to say, it is a little bit scary to think about lots of phone calling and setting up appointments to view places in my 3rd language....

incidentally, I am watching some passionate kissing going on in the courtyard between a man who must be about the age of my father and a girl who is probably my age. Not to fault them--it would be a good day to stay in bed and....right.

LBA-ECO

This week I have been participating in the LBA-ECO conference in Brasilia, Brasil. I have been staying with my friend Jennifer, which has vastly improved upon the alternative of staying in a hotel room by oneself.

My presentation took place this morning, and was very well received by the somewhat intimidating group of academic colleagues that were also presenting in my section. I have many reflections about the international research community, but I think it pretty much suffices to say that we are a group of rather odd birds. Some painful presentations that lacked cohesion, some stellar presentations that really make you want to be an academic, and everything in between.

The most important message to take from this posting is that you should rest assured that even though the glaciers may be melting, the oceans warming, and the climate changing, there is a very dedicated group of researchers that are working on saving you from yourselves, at least if you live in Brazil. Since we all know that deforestation in Brazil is the single most important factor responsible for sending the world into a downward spiral ;)

"O que está fazendo uma gatinha como voce na praia solzinha?" (otherwise entitled: the most humorous moment of my wknd)

Ok. So, Saturday, I am sitting alone on a beach without any reading material pondering what the hell I am doing alone in the nation of Brazil. Minding my own business, exposing my (comparatively) extremely white body to the beating rays of the (not-quite) equatorial sun.

A Brazilian man in a speedo power-walks determinedly past me--I pay him no mind. On his way back down the beach, however, he speaks. "O que está fazendo uma gatinha como voce na praia solzinha?" (Translation: "What is a kitten like yourself doing alone on the beach?") If I had had an ounce of wit, I would have responded: "Eu soamente estou esperando até um tigre forte como voce me leva para sua casa" (Translation: "I am but waiting for a strong tiger like yourself to take me home to his house") I am, unfortunately, not witty enough to say this with a straight face, and fortunately not--for he may very well have taken me at my word.

Brazilian man proceeds by offering to sunscreen my back; I allow him this indulgence which he enjoys a bit too much. He then sits down a little too close to me and begins to make conversation--I'm from rio, why are you here by yourself, yadda yadda--and then: "Lhe posso dar um bezinho?" (May I kiss you?) An innocent enough question, to which I respond "Não pode, não" or, NO you may not. He takes the hint, and shortly thereafter leaves me alone with lingering kisses on the cheek. Perhaps I should count it a potential missed opportunity to have ended my latest stint of celibacy---but I think it's better written off as the most amusing moment of my weekend.

Colocando os pés na terra da FLONA Tapajós

On Friday, I had the opportunity to visit several communities from which the data for my master's research were collected. Below, you see our mode of transportation from our bigger boat to the riverbank.....
Ailton, my guide from the IPAM office in Santarém, enjoyed telling the households we visited with that this was my opportunity to "colocar os pés na terra" (get my feet on the ground) and to not just work with numbers, And, indeed, it was.



Here, you see the beaches of the Tapajós river during the dry season.....


And, below---well, self explanatory. They killed it because, well, it is poisonous (supposedly). They were quite proud of the number they did on it.



It was our good luck that brought us upon this family that was fishing on the way to our third village--we subsequently offered to pay them for the fish and we feasted on them for lunch. Below, you see me (unsuccessfully) trying to extricate a very spiny fish from a net.

Bom dia de Manaus.

I felt a little silly but also ´com sorte´that the movie of choice for the TAM airlines flight to Manaus was, that´s right, Nacho Libre (see previous post). So, after paying an exorbitant amount to have it channeled directly to my hotel room the previous night and sleeping blissfully through it, I was awarded a second chance. Hilariously funny---though I´m slightly regretful that I have not yet seen ´snakes on a plane´which I promised my brother I would screen before leaving the states. Sorry Jordan, please forgive me for failing you as a sister.

The Brazilian/American/(affect of New Jersian) -- (sorry, Aurora) woman in front of me chattered incessantly to her French Canadian row companion throughout the flight. He dealt with the ´why do you have an accent? is english not your first language?´quite graciously. I suppose even multicultural people can make a faux pas ;)

My two AM contemplations from the internet cafe mainly consist of how one goes about checking oneself into a hotel room for a block of time in the daytime. I do/will appreciate a bed and a shower.

Moving to Brazil--take two.

After a very restful night in the Radisson in......Alexandria, I am again preparing to head to the airport. I'm sure there is a valid psychological phenomenon that describes the aftermath of building excitement to an event which does not occur....in my case, this can be attributed to the concern of American Airlines for the 'safety' of their pilots, namely, for keeping their pilot's seats fully operational and comfortable. We wouldn't want faulty springs in a pilot's seat to cause him to flip over backwards while landing an aircraft, now would we? Visualize it. Yes...yes...."pilot falling out of his seat botches aircraft landing." Maria breathes sigh of relief. That could have been me on that plane. Thank you, American Airlines, for your concern for my saftey. Thank you.

On a serious note, I did enjoy a bath, a couple of lovely phone calls and some mediocre food. And, the first 15 minutes of 'nacho libre' which was delightful....until my exhaustion got the better of me.

For those of you who don't have piercings, they are second-best only to being a smoker for conversation starting purposes. Take note. When I decided to get a piercing, I did not anticipate this rather useful and unanticipated benefit.

Everybody likes dogs (otherwise entitled Dinner on Friday September 22nd)

Bekah and Paul, Jeremy, and Susan came to my house for dinner on Friday evening. Below you see some delightful photos of our inter-special fellowshipping, courtesy of Jeremy.

Did someone say "BIScuit?"

What stogie is not letting you in on is that he had to ask Jeremy to pick him up in order to be included in this photo.

Classic.

I did not ask to be an airplane. Put me down Maria, before I succumb to the laws of gravity.

the blended family bids adieu

My Aunts Lori and Anne threw me a delightful reception in honor of my impending departure for Brazil. That makes it sound like it's a demise or something ominous. I really just mean to say that it is the eve of my departure. It is about to happen.

Below: my cousin beth and I discuss the potential shortcomings of Christa's wedding photos. Despite this, she and Brandon both manage to look simply stunning and deliriously happy.

Part of the Bittinger contingent--from left to right: Grandad Emmert, Aunt Lori, my mother, (me), Grandma Esther

For a wiry man he gives good strong hugs.

Grandad Bowman and his only blonde-haired, blue-eyed granddaughter. It's ok, they love me even if I might have been dropped off by a stork.

Things I will miss about living in Blacksburg.

1) the cascades. and the people who sometimes come with me

2) VT football games.

3) dinner parties at 608 Preston Ave (pictured below: a halloween, pumpkin-themed dinner party; pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin carving....)

4) folks from the forestry department. And being in the VA woods

5) Occasionally (only occasionally, of course) looking like a complete fool and having friends around that do, too.

Daring and adventurous woman mars wilderness with cell conversation....

to her only daughter while in the Cascades. No wonder she sounded out of breath.

camping pictures from Camp Bethel

box turtles.

This weekend I camped on Sat. night with my dear friends Rebekah and Paul. Not only did we find some snake eggs (I believe they were snake eggs...they were oblong and rubbery and partially buried) but on Sunday morning, I spotted a box turtle in the field. I picked him up and took him to show Rebekah and Paul--which was, quite possibly, the most exciting thing to happen to him in decades. He was a brave one, however, and interspersed with tightly closing his shell, he would paddle furiously to escape my grasp around his middle. He had small beady red eyes which eventually conveyed the subliminal message: "let me go, crazy mammal!" I eventually let him go. After I had selfishly entertained myself for ten minutes or so.
(possible picture to follow if Bekah and Paul send it to me)