Foreign Paradise

The most rewarding experience was when I traveled to Manaus—the capital of the state of Amazonas. Here I was exposed to a different reality: where the rivers are highways, where people travel by boat, and where tribes fish and hunt for food. I was able to go back to a primitive state of life with no currency, buildings, politics, or problems. I found myself surrounded by natural beauty. Visiting the Amazon was one of the most pleasurable experiences I had in Brazil because it reminded me of life’s beauty and what living is all about. It connected me with the natural world and showed me how living a simple life can be attainable in this day of time.

Personally, the Brazilian people and culture touched me. I was able to grow personally and pursue what I cared about in life. Nobody knew me and most would not see me again. I was completely and confidently myself in the purest form. I was millions of miles from reality and everything I knew.

Some difficulties I encountered was the language barrier. Yet, now that I am back in America I am experiencing a re-entry culture shock. This quote sums up how I feel, “everything that used to be familiar is now strange and everything that used to be strange is now familiar.”