Living in New Orleans

Living in New Orleans

I arrived in New Orleans on August 17^th, 2013. It was my first travel by airplane and my first international travel. Passport, airplane, scales in other cities, USA everything was very unusual, unexpected, and great for me. New Orleans is known for music, culture and Hurricane Katrina. I was not afraid. I was very excited and happy. In few days, I missed my family. However, in Brazil I do not live with my family. When I talked with them by Skype I felt me better.

The shuttle that picked us up was different than the busses I saw in Brazil. This was the first impression of being in a movie that I had. When I was arriving at Dillard University, I thought, Oh my God, I am in a movie! All is like in the movies: little beautiful houses, sidewalks and gardens, houses without wall around them, large buses and many trees.

One thing that more caught my attention was the American flag. Many houses and commercial establishments have the American flag. I already knew of American patriotism but I did not think that it was this way. It is very beautiful to me. However, in Brazil the people do not have this. In contrast, there we just see patriotism in events of sports. In addition, last year had many protest against sports events. Brazil part, the American patriotism is a characteristic that deserves admiration.

 When I began to get to know the city, I saw the great rich culture of New Orleans. In addition, the valorization of culture is very beautiful. The Renascent of city after Hurricane is pride of local people. One time I saw a man in the bus with a tattoo that said: Katrina 2005. At first I thought this was very strange, but after I just thought in pride. The truth is until today I did not know its meaning. Initially scared me because Katrina was not good happening for people.

Before I came here, I did research about the city and about the Dillard University. I can understand the reason but I do not agree with historically black. Personally, I think it actually is a form that segregation.

When I went to get the visa, the interviewer said that food of New Orleans was the best in the USA. Therefore, I came here anxious to try it. The food in my university of Brazil is not good. It is Brazilian food but is not delicious. If a foreigner tries it for the first time he will not like of Brazilian food. However, this is because the food is not well prepared. I thought the same way in relation to the food of New Orleans. Perhaps the food is not well prepared, but I had a sense of how it is. I disliked it. When it is not spicy it is without salt.

I tried jambalaya and gumbo. Jambalaya is good but is not delicious. Gumbo I did not like. I also do not like crab. I went to the Po-Boy Festival and enjoyed it. I tried three sandwiches and liked them. I think that I am already getting used to the pepper. Talking about traditional food, I also tried beignets with café au lait at Café Du Monde. I loved it. I love coffee and these beignets are divine. They are soft and not too sweet. 

The American people are not too close like Brazilian people. Brazilian people make relationships quickly. Here I have found it difficult to talk with Americans. However, it is culture. Nobody can change so fast.

Keeping with the subject of culture, I love the way people dress. Each person has its own way. The women value themselves. The men like attention. In addition, nobody cares. In Brazil, if you dress of different way that the most people, they will look at you different as if you were crazy. Moreover, everybody likes to dance. Jazz is cool. However, I do not have so much to talk about it. I miss places that have electronics music, nightclubs to dance. The nightclubs here is different of Brazil. 

Everything here is cheap. I bought many clothes in Forever 21 and I did not spend much money. The better this all is that clothes are style. Since I started shopping, I have changing my style of clothes. In Brazil beautiful clothes are very expensive.

The only thing that really bothers me is security. The neighborhood is dangerous. I would like to ride my bike more. In Brazil I do not live in a security city but I know places. I would like to explore New Orleans. I am loving this city. I want to enjoy every moment that I am here.