Random Facts and Differences

Okay so this post isn't really about anything in particular, it is mostly to point out things that I have noticed that I haven't really mentioned before. I think I will make a list. Yes. Lists are nice.

-20 degrees in Brazil is cold. Very cold.

-15 degrees (which is the coldest I have experienced here) is death to Brazilians. Everyone wears huge sweaters and more than one of them.

-People look at you funny when you eat acai while it is "cold". I told them that in Canada it could be snowing super hard out and you will still see people with slurpies or ice cream. Totally normal.

-Rice and beans. Everyday. I actually quite like it though so I am not complaining. But really, everyday.

-When you want juice, there is a 90% chance in a lot of homes/places that if you don't see it come out of a carton or a jug then it is probably fresh juice. I love you Brazil.

-I am now becoming a true Brazilian because I cross the street when I am not technically supposed to. (Don't worry mom, I am always careful ;) )

-Brazilians love to touch you. That sounds weird but it is relatively true. There isn't really such thing as personal space among friends but I am learning to love it.

-Chocolate chips are not a common thing to find in supermarkets. I just wanted to make cookies...

-The milk here is different... Not good or bad just different.

-Transit buses like to play a game called "Let's see how many people we can fit onto the bus and then see how fast we can go with or without hitting people" It's fun. I've played that game a couple times. I had to shower after.

-I have not watched TV at all since I have been here besides the morning news but I wasn't really watching. Yes that is correct, I have not even watched 'How I Met Your Mother'.

-When someone says that something is 'close by' they really mean it's a half hour walk.

-My Portuguese is getting better, I speak more Portuguese during the day than English. There are some words that even in my head I am saying them in Portuguese. It's a start :)

-Brazilians and their dancing... weoo ;) I'm just going to leave it at that.

-Brazilians wear shoes in the house. Still trying to get used to that one.

-There is a thing next to the toilet that looks like a toilet but it is not. I have been here for one month and I am still hesitant about asking what it does...

-If you see a road that looks like it is just wide enough for one car then it is probably a two or three lane road.

-Brazilians are honestly the most generous people.

-Be careful with the way you say "pão" (bread); it is a very nasally sounding word and if you don't say it with that nasal sound you are actually saying a word that is pronounced like "pow". Don't use this word. Without the nasal sound it means 'the male sex organ' (that is the most polite way I can say it). So when talking to someone about how much you love the 'pão' in Brazil... make sure you are using the right sound. So after a couple days of telling my new family how much I love the 'pow' in Brazil and how I would love to have it everyday, someone finally told me what I was really saying (I thought I was talking about bread..)

-Shopping here is hard. The food is cheap but the clothes are soooo expensive! This is a problem because the food is so good and cheap that exchange students will just eat but then they will need more money to buy new clothes because they are too fat to fit in their old clothes from all the really amazing and cheap food. I see what they are trying to do there...

-I tried sushi with mango in it. Yea.

-Here it is very common to drink hot milk. It is very different but actually quite soothing.

-Also, people here use spray on deodorant. It's tingly.

-In Brazil, nooo one blows their nose. At least not in public. People will sit there and just sniff really hard to keep everything in there and I don't see why they don't just get a tissue!

-I am in a place right now where I am not homesick but I do miss my family... and maybe Tim Hortons. However I am at a place right now where I actually feel like I live here. I am comfortable.

-One more thing I have noticed is that I don't really talk to many people from back home except my family. To those of you who I have not really talked to lately, I apologize, it is nothing personal I am just crazy busy. You're still in my thoughts.

I could go on forever about all the cool and different things I have found here but I think I will leave it at that for now. All I can say is that I know I am meant to be here and I couldn't be happier.

Also a shout out to the people who have their Rotary interviews coming up! I want to wish you all good luck! You are in for a wild ride.
It is hard for me to believe that I was in that position a year ago now!
Anyways, good luck to all :)

Beijos xox