Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Saudade, Schadenfreude, Vacilando

There are some words in other languages that have a very specific meaning, often related to a particular feeling in a particular situation. I find that English, despite its magnificent breadth and willingness to borrow from other tongues, lacks this. I need a word to describe something: when you wake up in a new country and everything--every sight, sound, scent and sensation-- feels unfamiliar in such a wonderful way. Being removed from your familiar elements makes you hypersensitive, and just savoring everything around you is the most thrilling thing in the world.

I feel like the Germans must have a word for this, but that it sounds better in Portuguese.

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