When I first came here, I was bright and open eyed about everything around me. Everything was brand new yet run down in the way only things can be in Brazil. I am constantly asking what signs mean in Portuguese or how to pronounce the words. For instance, "PARE" is Portuguese for STOP and is shown on almost every corner here yet most Brazilians NEVER stop! They give a glancing pass for oncoming traffic and just keep going, unless it is heavy traffic hours - then you have no choice but stop. For educational purposes, it is pronounced "Pah-ree" but the "ee" is not long and drawn out.
I have learned that rice and beans here are an EVERY DAY staple. It is similar to eating a sandwich for us. Most Americans eat a sandwich every day, in some shape or form. The same can be said for rice and beans here. It is a side dish that cannot be missed daily. I have yet to make good rice. I either burn the rice early or it is either too sticky or too mushy when boiled. As for eating the stuff, I am TIRED of it. I don't mind it every now and then, but every day makes me just sick of it. Also, my body doesn't respond well to it. It - sorry for being crude - binds me up and makes me gain weight. When I got here, I put on seven pounds just by this diet. I have severely cut back my consumption and have gone down twelve whole pounds. I just cannot stand eating it anymore. I am trying to be patient with my boyfriend's love of this food staple, but I sometimes my stomach just turns at the mention of it. I am coming up with creative and distracting ideas for dinner. Although my boyfriend is Brazilian, he is also part American. He has a fondness of meatloaf and spaghetti.
As for my diet, I have had some challenges since I have come to Brazil. I have gotten sick TWICE. The first time was so severe, I ended up in a local hospital. Thank God for their free healthcare system here. Also, thank God my boyfriend has the intelligence to introduce me to his many english speaking friends here. It so happens that when this occurred, he was out of São Paulo State, in Minas. It takes a lot for me to say I am sick and need help, so when I called him, he was frantic. He couldn't get a flight back to me quickly. He had to call his english/japanese/portuguese speaking friend "Japonês" and have him come to my rescue. He shows up, with motorcycle in tow. Now, I have no problems with motorcycles, but my butt could barely walk let alone ride on a bike. My boyfriend was able to call another friend of his, Carol, to come and transport us with her car. Thank GOD for these people. By the time I got to the hospital I could barely walk and I was exhausted once the medicine kicked in. Japonês took me to his girlfriend's house nearby the hospital and I collapsed on their couch and slept until the boyfriend arrived. The second episode was not nearly as bad, and lasted 24 hours and was gone. Both times, we believe, are due to something bad I ate. I have been very careful of my food consumption and extra careful not to eat too much.
There are so many stories I could tell, because I have really wasted my time not blogging since I came here. I won't go into them. I will just tell you some of the lessons I have learned while here so far. First, if I speak english in public, I will get stared at. Second, do not drink tap water, always get bottled or from a natural spring. Third, everything here is small, especially the vehicles, just not their butts. Fourth, listen to conversations and make pointed inquiries about everything. The more words and phrases you understand, the quicker you will pick up the language. Fifth, washing dishes with cold water takes time to get used to but it works just as well. Sixth, I miss my bathtub! Seventh, medicines here are really cheap and readily available. Eighth, wild parrots suck as an alarm clock. Ninth, being without Air Conditioning isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but must have space heater for those cold days. Tenth, be prepared to miss everything and anything that defined you as an American. From peanut butter, blueberries, and Mac & Cheese to baggy jeans, everything is different here and costs a fortune to buy. Especially a comfortable life.
