Gaúcha in Austin

 My group and I have been in Austin for over a month now. It's time enough to start analyzing different aspects of the American way of life with a less biased perspective. The honeymoon phase is over, so flaws or differences become clearer and clearer.  We learned that Americans pursue happiness and success and are usually encouraged to build their own path to achieve this. I could see that the structure the country offers makes it easier. One example of this is the school we visited. Although it is far from being excellent when compared to other places, students have access to musical instruments, laptops, and sports equipment that students in Brazil will never dream of getting close to. On the other hand, I was a little shocked that the classroom doors were locked. I also heard they have drills to prepare them for the event of a shooting. This is something we do not have to worry about in Brazil yet. We also watched a basketball match at Moody Center. It was the women's bask...

  Or the Venetian Texas? I fell in love with San Antonio. Actually, falling in love with this charming city is pretty easy. I bet most people feel the same when they first put their eyes on it. What makes San Antonio so enchanting? First of all, the Mexican influence on the city is visible everywhere and it offers its buildings and streets a special touch. In contrast to Austin's style, San Antonio looks more festive and thriving. This impression of mine was helped by a beautiful sunny day, obviously. Still, I think people can have fun even if it's raining there. The riverwalk and its cute bridges. Then there is the riverway. I learned from the boat ride that part of it is the river natural flow and part of it was made by men, based on a project from a very young architect, if I am not mistaken. It made me think of all the investment a city can make and offer something so visually impressive not only to tourists but also to its residents. My city is also by a river and just rec...