Saying Goodbye to Brazilians

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the day came when the Brazilians were leaving. We visited the South Dining Hall one last time for a delicious brunch, and then frantically worked to make sure all bags were packed before the bus to Chicago arrived. The good news was that everyone was packed and ready to go when the bus got to the hotel. The bad news was that almost everyone had bought an extra suitcase to take home with them, and the bus didn't have quite enough room for all those extra bags. However, after some hard work and organization, we managed to stuff all the luggage and all the Brazilians on the bus. A few laughs later (and one very patient driver) we were on our way to Chicago.

 

Once we arrived at O'Hare Airport, only a tearful goodbye stood between the teachers and their plane to Brazil. While, our experience at Notre Dame was coming to an end, the Brazilian teachers were on their way home to put all of the new techniques and lessons they learned to use. Though they may be far away, they will always be part of the Notre Dame family. 

Lake Michigan

Ever since they arrived in the United States, the Brazilian teachers were hungry for places to visit and sites to see. Near the top of their list was St. Joseph's Lighthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan. Naturally, the language coaches scheduled the outing on one of the windiest days of the program. As we winded down the roads toward Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, we crossed our fingers, hoping for the best the weather had to offer.

Despite the frigid temperatures and sand-blasting wind that greeted us on the shore of Lake Michigan, the Brazilian teachers, now almost immune to the cold weather, traversed the dunes to see the impressive lake.

 

To reward the group for braving the wind and sand, we stopped at Kilwin's in St. Joseph on the way home to get some hot chocolate to warm everyone up.

A Trip to Shipshewana

The stark contrast of modern day mini vans carefully passing horse-drawn carriages on the highway to historic Shipshewana was the Brazil ND group's first taste of the blending of cultures that exists in that small, Indiana town. Famous for its surrounding Amish and Mennonite communities, Shipshewana offers a glimpse into unique subcultures of the United States that have been present since colonization.

Our first stop was the picturesque Menno-Hof Amish/Mennonite Information Center. This center and the people who facilitate it offer an incredible peek into the faith and life of Amish and Mennonites. The tour began with an introduction to the differences and similarities between the two faiths. After which, we visited a series of rooms depicting what life was like for members of these groups in their beginnings and as they transitioned into modern times. Finally, we saw how Amish and Mennonite groups function in society today. While their lives may seem foreign to what is seen as "typical" U.S. culture, their history and contribution to life in the United States is invaluable.

Seeing cultures such as these, which are so contrary to what the media portrays the United States to be, provided an example to the Brazilians teachers of just how diverse U.S. culture is, compared to the often homogenous lens of Hollywood. Additionally, it offered a chance to compare the colonization processes that happened in both North and South America.

To end our beautiful, snowy day in Shipshewana, we had a family-style dinner at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery. With of group of 36, that was no easy feat. However, thanks to the patience and hospitality of the restaurant, we left full and happy.

It would be a mistake if we forgot to mention the assortment of pies we had for dessert. Heavenly. 

Indianapolis Trip

Despite a few weeks of harsh weather, we were finally able to take a trip to Indianapolis. First, we spent a little time exploring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The Indy 500 has been won by many Brazilians, including Emerson Fittipaldi, Hélio Castroneves, Gil de Ferran, and, just last year, Tony Kanaan. 

After a quick lunch at Nick's Chili Parlor, we went to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The largest children's museum in the world, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is unarguably also among the best. We would like to give both Crystal Salenda and Josh Estes of the museum, who organized a wonderful tour of some of the museum facilities for our group. We felt so welcomed and really got a feel for the important work done at the museum. 

Chicago: A Travel Guide

Many of the Brazilian teachers took the opportunity to visit Chicago during their time in the United States. Below, you will find some photos of the Brazilians during their trips to Chicago as well as some ideas of what YOU could do if you visited Chicago.

So you want to go to Chicago? 

Here are some ideas on how to get to Chicago and what to do once you're there. Please follow the links for more information and purchase options. 

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District runs between the South Bend Airport and Millennium Station in Chicago. You can buy tickets online or at the train station for any day of the week.

The Chicago Tourism Board has a website that gives you a glance at all the activities the city offers. Feel welcome to explore the site and see if there is anything that interests you.

If you are interested in seeing a Chicago Bulls NBA game, click here to see games and prices. 

Click on the following links to view other activities in Chicago:

1.) The Shedd Aquarium
2.) The Art Institute of Chicago
3.) The Field Museum
4.) Museum of Science and Industry
5.) Millennium Park
6.) Navy Pier
7.) Michigan Avenue

Click here to see an interactive map of Chicago's downtown and Loop.

Keep in mind when traveling to Chicago, there is an hour time difference between South Bend and Chicago. When you go to Chicago, you will gain and hour. For example, 11 a.m. in South Bend would be 10 a.m. in Chicago. When you return to South Bend, you will lose an hour. For example, 10 a.m. in Chicago would be 11 a.m. in South Bend. Keep this in mind as your travel and need to catch trains or shows so that you are not late.