Weekend in Patos

So last Thursday I went to a soccer game with my friend named Artur, who did exchange in Kamloops last year. Cool hey? He lives in Belo Horizonte and he cheers for Galo. Now, I told you about how here in Minas Gerais there are two main teams: Galo and Cruzeiro. I am Cruzeiro, as I previously mentioned, and he is Galo. However, up until last Thursday I have never seen a live soccer game so I really didn't care which team was playing! Before the game I went to his grandparents house and met a bunch of his family. Of course in Brazil that means I got to meet mom, dad, aunt, cousin, sister, grandma, and grandpa. We headed off to the stadium, which I thought was huge but apparently it's the smaller one compared to 'Minerao'. I wore a Galo jersey and everything so I could fit in.
We sat in front of the people playing the drums and leading the Galo songs/chants. I've never seen anything like it. Everyone in the stadium was on their feet the whole time! It made me question why they even had seats in the first place. There was so much energy it was impossible to stand still. Then a guy in a giant chicken costume (their mascot) came running onto the field carrying the Galo flag. The crowd went insane. When the goalie from the other team walked across the field to his side, the whole stadium booed and cursed him out. I guess that is a normal and sports-like thing to do?
It was even worse when the refs came out. Again, the whole stadium stood on their chairs and booed the refs. The game started and the crowed, once again, was insane; the whole game. Galo won in the end and everyone left the stadium at the same time so everyone was on the street still screaming Galo music. I really enjoyed my first game, I cannot wait until I get to watch one in the big stadium!

Last Friday was a holiday here in Brazil so my family took me to Patos de Minas again for the weekend. They were so nice and let me bring my friend Eli (USA). We talked in Portuguese and listened to Brazilian music the whole 6 hour drive. When we arrived, the had lunch all waiting for us. Lourdes (my aunty) is an amazing cook. We went to her house were she literally had a buffet set out. We visited with many of the family members for a good 6 hours and then after went and met up with two other exchange students: David (Hungary) and Tucker (Upstate New York). We have only met them once before at the orientation but instantly started talking like we never left. I love exchange students. The next day, my host parents brought us out to lunch at a cute little buffet restaurant. (Another thing I love about Brazil, all the restaurants for lunch are buffets and are cheap!)
After lunch, Eli and I went shopping, ate acai (of course), and then got ready to go to Tucker's family's farm outside of Patos. I am telling you, that place is amazing. They have a beautiful house with an outside kitchen/bar area right next to a pool surrounded by palm trees and fields of horsies. It was a wonderful afternoon of laying by the pool with friends, cooking churrasco (BBQ), and listening to Brazilian music. I love my life.
After the farm, we went back to Lourdes' house for her birthday and once again, more food. Always so much food. Eli and I made a band with my little cousin, Alise. She is two years old and she is the cutest thing I have ever seen. We talked all night with the family and watched Brazil win in one of the games leading up to the World Cup. (omg)
Sunday was average, Eli and I woke up at noon (oops), ate lunch, said goodbye to the family again, and headed on home to BH. This car ride was a little more quiet because everyone was tired and fell asleep.
It was such a nice weekend, I really feel like I am part of the family. Not just my family that I live with but my whole extended family as well. They all told me that I need to return with them even after I change families.