F#%K

Things that Make ME GO CRAZY!

Did you know that a gallon of Gas costs $10.59

Did you know that a gallon of milk is $7.00

Did you know that a gallon of Orange Juice $12.00

Details Details

Yesterday I was in class with a student and I was trying to teach him the word “forget”, in English.  In Portuguese the only word that I know is “remember”.    Teach him remember and then I say it is the opposite.  So, after a couple of tries I notice that he is married.  I asked him “when were you married”? He tells me and then I say “my husband and I can never remember our Anniversary”.    Then just before I could explain, I looked at the date that I wrote earlier on the paper and saw that our Anniversary was 2 days ago and we both forgot again.  What timing!  On the way home I called Rodrigo to say “Happy Anniversary”!  He just remembered that day too.   We shall celebrate 6 years together….next weekend!

Polishing Pans

One day my cousin was standing at the sink scrubbing our pans as we were cleaning up from dinner and he asked, dont you polish and scrub your pans?  I looked a him, thought and said.. Yes, I am doing it right now.  :) 
A little insight to my cleaning abilities. 

Religion...

Did you know that Catholic is to Brazilians as Christian is to Americans.  In America the catholic religion is very strict and here the Christian religion is strict, new and popping up everywhere.  There is even a TV show called something like small church big business.  The propaganda is endless and churches are everywhere especially in poor neighborhoods. 

As they say in Telluride… God, protect me from your followers. 

Jill In Brazil: Can Brasil Win the World Cup in 2014???

Jill In Brazil: Can Brasil Win the World Cup in 2014???: I started watching the World Cup in 2006 after I met Rodrigo. Brasil has won the World Cup 5 times and the last time was in 2002. Brasi...

Can Brasil Win in 2014?

I started watching the World Cup in 2006 after I met Rodrigo.  Brasil has won the World Cup 5 times and the last time was in 2002.  Brasil is known in the world for the beautiful women and Futebol (Soccer).   After moving to Brasil I wanted to know Brazilian Futebol because how else should one spend their Wednesday & Sunday nights at home.  And also because for months I would spend my time in a group staring at the TV because  I couldn’t understand  what everyone was talking about, so I took comfort in a good soccer match. 

Besides the World Cup team that we cheer for every 4 years there are Soccer clubs that play each other weekly.  During a class I asked a student what would be the best gift that someone could give you and he said a Sao Paulo Futebol Jersey.  This intrigued me and I thought; I want a team.  I spent the next month asking around to find out who the teams were, which teams were their favorites and who the best was.  To my surprise the answers varied from team to team, but whatever team the Brazilian supports is also the Best.  I loved this; there was never a doubt in a Brazilians mind when it comes to futebol.  If you support them… they are the best. 

Being an American and having a ton of teams to watch, I kind of was a Fair Weather Fan meaning;  I loved the winning team.  Still to this day I can’t decide; I like a lot of different teams for different reasons.  I like Santos because they have won a ton of games this year including the Copa Libertadores Title.  I am a Corinthian Fan because they are my husband’s favorite and we watch a lot of their games, I like the Palmeiras because my son and his grandpa love them, and secretly I am developing a love for Flamengo because they have one of my favorites “Ronaldinho” and I love Rio de Janeiro. 

So anyway what about the Brazilian World Cup team for 2014?  Well as it is now, if the World Cup was today it would be a disaster for Brasil.  I think the Brazilian team lacks not only the connection on the field but also the connection with the Brazilian people.   I have given it a lot of thought and I think there is still a chance for Brasil, but there are some changes that need to be made and fast.  Follow these 3 steps and we will be closer to a 2014 World Cup victory with some practice.

1.     What’s with the New Jersey Numbers?   Change is good, but Brazilians aren’t huge fans of it.  I agree a new look is a good thing but the numbers on the back of the shirts are too drastic.  They don’t look like sports numbers; they look like some artist tried to get into futebol for the first time.  We need Sports numbers, change the number get people feeling the shirts. 

2.      Neymar the Star and Who?  It is great to have a team full of great athletes and Brasil has always had a star, but what we are lacking on this team is character.  Sure Neymar is the star but while we are only watching him what else is going on?  What we need is a strong character like Ronaldinho to put strength on the field.  He is great, he is a strong player and he is fun to watch.  He is full of character by personality and by looks.  Bring him back and the team will start to come together.

Neymar

Ronaldinho

3.  Where is the Hot Guy?  Where is the guy that the girls want to stare at and dream about?  It is not on the Brazilian team.  We need a handsome man in the front lines entertaining the women & young girls.  I am not suggesting to bring back KAKA, but please find me someone gorgeous to watch run around on the field.  Bring back “hotness” and you have sex appeal and as an American I know one thing about sports… sports and sex appeal go hand in hand.    

Well that’s it, my three suggestions to bringing Brasil Back.  What do you think?

Another Change?

Well 8 months after the touch and go of life here we are finally getting on our feet.  Last week I was offered a job in a town close to mine to do teach English and so here I am.  Tired, but ready for a new challenge and to meet some new friends.  Everyone seems nice and the classes have been fun.  There is a lot going on in our lives now.  We are spending the next 6 months working hard and trying to save as we have a lot of making up to do. 

Jill In Brazil: Rio 2011

Jill In Brazil: Rio 2011: I was so excited to go to Rio de Janeiro for the first time. At the last minute we found out that we would not need to bring the children ...

Rio 2011

I was so excited to go to Rio de Janeiro for the first time.  At the last minute we found out that we would not need to bring the children so the next decision was car or bus.  A vacation was just what we needed.  As I began to talk about going to Rio, many people began to offer their opinion of what I should expect both getting there and being there.  I found out that many people who had opinions had never been there and most people talked about the violence and the crazy road that we would be driving on. 

On Saturday as I was getting my things together I thought about what everyone was telling me, it dawned on me that If I was going to die sometime in Brasil… that this would be the time and probably on the bus ride.  It must be Rio de Janiero because the rest of Brasil assuming that you are a good person and you treat everyone nice and with a smile, it isn’t scary at all.  However, to be on the safe side I spent the last 30 minutes at home writing my last will and testament, sent it on to 4 people and hoped for the best. 

When we got to the bus station it was like a mini airport.  It was so efficient and you seriously only had to be there 10 minutes before the bus left the station.  When we got on the bus the seats reclined and it was very clean and comfortable.  Rodrigo and I had a few beers and snacks and then closed our eyes for an hour or two.  The sensation of driving was so soothing that it took nothing to sleep.  I slept like a baby to the sound of white noise. 

When we arrived Rodrigo’s cousin picked us up and took us to LAPA.  It was great, lot of people standing around and partying.  The streets were full of clubs and people; I was taken back to the time that I spent in New Orleans as you could feel the history of the streets.  Whatever you want you could find in Rio at LAPA.  We went to a bar called Antarctica.  Antarctica is a type of beer in Brasil and this was its bar.  We chatted and watched the Under 20- World Cup as the Brazilian Boys team won the championship and then we tossed back a few and drowned ourselves in great conversation.  Tiago’s girlfriend Patricia was with us, we spoke a mixture of English and Portuguese.  That night we stayed at their house and again slept great.  When I woke up I felt a bit silly after writing my last minute will and quickly used my cousin’s internet to make sure that everyone knew we were still alive, then after a Brazilian Breakfast and Lunch we were off to the hotel. 

The hotel was in the center of Rio, kind of like a Holiday Inn express but more express. 

From there we went to this amazing place which was in the Favela (ghetto). A man from Peru tiled the steps all of the way up. It was a sight to see and the tiles were perfectly placed and from all over the world. This has become a famous place to visit in Rio. Luckily for us the artist was there that day trying to sell his work. His work is nice and always there is a pregnant black woman appearing somewhere within.

The Steps

The Pregnant Black Woman who always appears

The Artist

Brasil Flag

After that amazing journey we headed around the city and to Copacabana.  I wanted to go to the most famous part of the beach where I could see Pão de Açúcar and Christ the Redeemer.    When we got out of the car I looked around and said, “Um ok, but where is Christ the Redeemer”?  Then I was told that the photos that I have been seeing were actually photo shopped or from a helicopter.    I guess that made sense darn it... so Brazilian of them. 

The Christ and off in the distance Pao de Acucar

Anyway we walked the beach and had a drink while listening to live music.  This was my ultimate goal, but after that I was in search of Brazilian Beer served in garrafas and Soccer (garrafas are 20oz bottles, chilled at freezing and shared). 

10 block later we were sitting outside at the boteco (little bar) watching the game.  Flamengo from Rio was playing and on this team is one of my Brazilian favorites “Ronaldinho”.  He is a character indeed.

   

This was great because it is truly the best part of Brasil; Futebol and Cold Beer. 

Next on my list was pizza.  We sat at a little outdoor patio and shared a huge half Pepperoni & half Frango com catupiry pizza and each bite better than the last.  By now it was 9pm and time to get home.  We had a big day ahead of us at the US Embassy and I wanted to be well rested.  Up by 5a.m. to get ready, have Breakfast and take a mile walk to the Embassy.   The day was long and we walked a ton around the city of Rio.  A couple of gifts for the kids later we were on the bus home at 5:15p.m.  The trip had been smooth and in the end, I recommend Rio and the bus. 

a market in Rio

This is where LAPA starts

A Catholic Church...seriously

Downtown Rio

A view from Copacabana

Sand Art....

A close up of life on the beach

Option... Beans, Rice & Farofa

This is where Carnival is held

A Favela

Rio

Still In Rio

Still in Rio today...  Probably I am on a bus right now headed for home.  I am writing this before I go, so I am hoping the bus is clean and not as interesting as my last Greyhound ride in America.  Well I must get packed cuz we leave in 1.5 hours. 

Oh, by the way...I didn't say yet but I made a decision to take a new job on Tuesday.  My life is about to get crazy and I am ready to get busy.  I sit around way too much!

In Rio Now

I am in Rio de Janeiro enjoying the good things in life.  More later...

The Corner

Today while I was driving I came to a corner and slowed down because there was a guy on a bike carrying a case of Soda.  It was a good thing because as I rounded the long corner just in front of me was a man lying at the side of the road.  He had a sack full of recyclable bottles on his back.  He was laying cattycorner to the sidewalk with his head towards the middle of the street.  I looked at his face and he was thoroughly enjoying his decision.  This corner was a windy one where if you are going too fast and not paying attention the chances of hitting this man are good even with him not laying in half of the lane.  Why?  Why lay in the middle of the road.  Did he want to get hit?  Now usually people don’t have insurance to collect a big sum of money and most people wouldn’t pay him due to his pure act of stupidity, but was this a money stunt?  I can’t imagine he really wanted to rest, maybe that is the best place to lay where the ants wont crawl all over him.  I don’t know.  Dogs lay in the road all of the time too or right on the road side of the curb.  It scares me to think about it.   

So, today we are heading to Rio de Janeiro by bus.  It will be an awesome experience with my husband.  Our cousin Tiago is going to pick us up and take us to LAPA.  LAPA is a center where people get wild and party.  It is said that you will see all walks of life enjoying the same things and a time where you will feel safe in probably the most unsafe/crazy environment.  I have seen pictures of Rio that my friend took and I can say one thing…if a picture is captivating, seeing it in person will be unbelievable.  We will visit LAPA, Impanema, & Copa Cabana on this trip as it will be short but full of interesting experiences.  Kids are safe with Va & Vo and other than a chest cold all is well in Brasil today. 

With lots of luck and a little hard work

Lots of changings are coming my right now.  Today was an interesting and prosperous day for me.  I believe in the secret...yes I do.  The Law of Attraction...

About last night....

Well after two months of Festa Junina & Festa Julina, I decided to take a couple of weeks off.  Last night the kids were with Rodrigo’s parents and we went out with a few friends for a beer or two.  Whilst out, a friend of ours wanted us to go to the City Hall to see if the Mayor was going to get impeached.  He was involved in the Business as usual politics in Brasil and let’s face it … this type of politics is all over the world.    For instance, the mayor gave like 22 members of his family on the payroll, stole the money that was supposed to be for medicine for sick children who as a result died, overpriced everything and pocketed the difference.  If a box of chocolates were R$10 he would pay R$100 of the tax payer’s money.  He was arrested for a few days and so the dog and pony show began.  He spent a few nights in jail and now resides in another town as he continues to govern our city.   So, last night they had a trial it lasted for more than 14 hours and the outcome was an obvious one to the town.  He will NOT get impeached because those who would impeach him were as dirty as he was.  So, the cycle continues and guess what?  He will probably get elected again. 

Now the big story here is how.  How would it be possible for a man who steals from taxpayers and I don’t mean taking a little, I mean taking Millions.  How is it humanly possible for him to be re-elected?  Well this is a comparison that I would like to draw. 

So, we show up last night and there are two sides.  The reporters and people hoping for change by doing the right thing which is voting and supporting their cause.  They are quiet but they are there.  The sad part is Brazilians know that there is nothing that they can do to stop the corruption.  The Corruption is so deep that there are movies about it and the only thing that happens from that point is a decision; depression or forget about it.   With little repercussions of corruption and crime, people are left to have a talk over a beer and accept the life that they have been given.   As free as it feels to be here in Brasil, the truth is you still get limited freedom of speech against the government. 

Then there were the supporters of the mayor sitting in the grandstand where carnival is held.  They are sitting there with signs all drawn up in the exact same hand writing.  They were wearing T-shirts that had a huge red Heart on the front with the mayor’s name showing their support.  Who were they and what was their cause, why do they support him?  It didn’t take long, but I studied them carefully and first noticed the anger in their drunken eyes… what?  Yes, I said it.  I then looked down and noticed the beer can in their hands.  Then I looked up again and saw the drunken rage as they were touting the crowd that was chanting “Get the Mayor Out”.  Wait a minute…. What is going on?  Well noting but a little money being exchanged into the hands of people who did not know what they were fighting for and they didn’t care.  These were the people whose medicine was stolen.  These were the people who do not get government assistance, except for that day.  They were picked up and given all the beer they could drink, carted to the grand stand outside the city hall and told what they needed to do for it.   Now ask me… how you reason with those people?  It was their children who were denied medicine but they were bought for a day, a party and R$30 each.  They fight against their interests and miss the big picture.  However they are also a part of a very uneducated public but they vote; seems to be a good formula for politicians.

Later in the night when the vote was announced some people were outraged and chanting as they voted not to impeach the Mayor.  My friend was hit in the legs by the police for chanting against the mayor and then they put their shields up and stood in line.  Just then some of the city council walked outside and looked at the crowd and laughed in their faces.  All I can imagine is that maybe they were laughing because they saw a city of 300,000 represented by less than 100 or maybe they were laughing because they got away with it and were relieved of being held accountable once again.  As the police shields were up, my friend said…”I’m doing this for you, for your children, for your family, for your pay” and the police man stood their looked into his eyes and nodded his head as he agreed with my friend but he was paid for too.

This is similar to what is happening in America today?  As people become desperate the big picture fades.    Here it is so deep that going against it is deadly or just a waste of time.  A police man told me, if you don’t take the Money, the next in line will.  Nothing happens to the criminal and he loses the R$20,000 to the next guy.

Saturday Night Club

My first night club in Brasil and we had a great time.  A school that I work for had their 1^st Anniversary party and we were their guests.  The charge at the front door on a regular night is between R$25-$60 and then drinks.  We had an open bar until 2am.  The night clubs here really get going at about 12:30am and the people go home around 6am.  Brazilians party late and for a long time.  Rodrigo and I had such a good time we stayed out until 2:30am and then went home and watched Parks and Recreation.  We danced a little, and it had been so long since we had moved our bodies it seems.  I noticed that no one was really dancing; they just stood on the dance floor, texted, talked, laughed and moved ever so slightly.  The people that I met were really nice and everyone was having a great time. 

I watched the people enjoying themselves, it was just like being at home and the music was great.  Music here in Brasil is just like the 90’s in America.  The cover songs played were from the 90’s and the sound of Brazilian music mimics the era as well.  Not too hard not too soft and lots of good old American Rock n Roll.  Once they played the Spin-doctors and my friend Addisun who is 21 said “my parents used to play this all of the time when I was 3 or 4” Scratch… Um…I used to listen to this music and I started to count backwards about 15-17 years.  What a delight it was to hear all of those songs again as I remembered school dances.  It was like going to Alaska in 98’ because the music there was about 10years behind from the lower 48 as well.  It took me back replaying those memories and even better, I knew almost every song.  So, anyway it was a perfect night with a perfect ending which was Rodrigo and I sitting on the couch watching TV and laughing.  Now we are headed to pick up the kids and have a Churrasco with the family… as today is Dia dos Pais  (father’s day in Brasil). 

American Wthdrawl

Truth is when my thoughts travel, all I think about is enjoying myself at the pool in Las Vegas sipping on a Bloody Mary and Shopping for the kids. I am having major American withdrawals right now.   I am sure this is part of my process but right now things are pretty intense.  I am constantly dissecting the effects of living abroad and how the culture is affecting me.  I am asking questions that are untangling webs of old thoughts and then tangling me up in new thoughts and sometimes ones that I am not ready to face.  For instance, the world…I see and understand the global empire that is happening everywhere in the world.  I am not too sure Americans are aware of the rest of the world.  The Multi-National Companies are business as usual in most countries, sometimes I think it was me who was small minded.  This connection to the world doesn’t let me escape.  
I ache at times to go back to my home, full of comfortable things and comfortable ideas of how life should be.  The truth is… we were lucky because a catalog lifestyle doesn’t exist in most other places especially for the majority of people.  You want to think everyone is living the dream because you perceive yourself to be, but it is just not true.   We want to think we are culturally aware because America is a melting pot but we are starting to have little tolerance for foreigners and around the world, people are learning 1-2 other languages to be a part of Global business.  Americans are good people, they are honest, they are innovative & they work hard, they want a better life for their children and they respect one another; this I believe is our greatest gift to humanity and our biggest accomplishment.

I always talk about being united and now I know why… Remember when I said that only in America can we see our differences?  Well, what I know now is that globally all Americans are the same; we are only a country full of American Generalizations.  We see ourselves as individuals but really in comparing culture, we handle crisis the same way, love our families the same way, love our god the same way… what I am saying is that I just fought against Conservatives/Tea Party people for 5 days for entertainment and because I believe in my cause however in a fight or at a friend’s wedding you are my brothers & sisters.  On a grand scale…these little tit for tat things mean absolutely nothing because if America fails or falls we fail or fall together; details and finger pointing aside, no one else is going to care.  Or as my sister always says so comfortably "what ever happens is going to happen and fighting about it isn't going to change anything", I guess I still feel like I can change the world, and this is becoming a heavy burdon.  As individual as each one of us perceives ourselves to be, globally we are one... Americans; like organs in the same body relying on each other to survive.   

Self-Help

I am going crazy these days…. Again.  I can't get enough focus  to write as I am spending a lot of time listening to self help books when I have a moment to think  or not to think.  Living in a Foreign country really wakes a person up, right now I am asking how do I cope and more improtantly... what really matters?

Wherever you go… there you are...

 I have tons to say but all of my new thoughts are going to take hours to put on paper and tonight I want to listen to American Politics.  So, I will just tell you what a typical day is like for me here in Brasil?  

Monday through Friday….

I wake up at 5:30, it takes me about 20 minutes to get dressed as I take a shower the night before.  I then go down stairs and make my coffee and sit by the computer for 30 minutes… I prepare my day, goof around on the internet, listen to politics, or create my conversation classes.  Sometimes I think this is the best part of my day.   

I then set off for class at 6:20… When I get to the school, I am greeted by Adilson.  He is a car watcher who has had a really hard life.  I don’t give him money all of the time, because I park there 2 times during the day.  He has slurred speech as I am thinking that he also has a disease like Muscular Sclerosis and a probable alcoholic.   He tries to talk in English though I can’t really make out what he is saying.   Sometimes I get frustrated with him following me around, but I have issues with beggars I guess.  I'm American...I like to give money away but I do not like being asked for it everyday… makes sense right? 

Sometimes he parks people really close to me so that he will have to help me move my car and so that I will give him some change.  I have been thinking lately that driving the extra ¾ circle might be the best option for me to avoid dealing with him every morning.  Many times when I arrive he opens my back door because it has a seal that is broken and looks ajar.  He also always taps on my glass as I am driving off too as he tries to help me out of a space that is completely free of cars at either end.   I know he wants to provide a service to me, but I just dont see the value in the service that he is offering thats all.

Ok, then I tech my 2 classes usually and then head home to find Gabi waiting for me.  Sometimes she will slide open the front window and yell outside or I will see her riding her tricycle towards the gates.   Today she was riding holding a bag in her hand full of random things and her babies.  She is so funny. 

Then I go inside and have my breakfast.  This time I make coffee with milk and sugar along with that I eat a piece of bread with a cheese spread and sit to check my email.  Soon, I am up washing and hanging clothes to dry and cleaning the dishes.  I will take a shower and get Gabi ready to walk to pick up Ben from school at 11:15 am. 

When we get to Ben, we are usually late because Gabi walks very SL O W.  Ben runs out and then he runs to the Tree beside the school to climb for a minute or two.  When I can convince the kids to carry on we head for home.  Usually I give them each 5 centavos so that they can choose a piece a gum from the corner market when we get home.  When we are home, Ben plays a game on the Computer and Gabi…well usually creates a mess.  She likes to wash her bike, to get into anything dangerous, put her hands in the grill, wash the refrigerator, ride her bike through water, and her favorite washing the dishes while I start to make lunch.  Sometimes I just put her in the shower downstairs so that she can mess around while I make dinner.  I give her a sponge and soap and let her go at it.   

We then have a huge lunch and take a nap.  Brazilian lunch is the biggest meal of the day.  We may go to the park when we wake up if there is time.  Then the kids go to the babysitter and Rodrigo and I go to work till about 8:30, dinner and then kids sleep. 

So, then I do my blog usually and listen to American Politics.  You see there is plenty of time to focus on the things that I love from here.  It sounds like a dream living in a Tropical country but wherever you go… there you are.  Don’t get me wrong, everything is so so different but life is the same and so is the life in a foreign country, I just have different conversations.  The hardest thing for me to comprehend was that was I am not on Vacation in a foreign country… I live here.   So, that is that and now I wait for the wonderful summer and frequent trips to the ocean.  This is when it gets tropical again for my family. 

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.   - Mother Teresa

What would a perfect world look like?

It would be... 4 hours to myself in the middle of the day, just for me. 

Time for the kids to get to school!

Jill In Brazil: Brazilian Favorites!!!

Jill In Brazil: Brazilian Favorites!!!: " This is a Caipirinha. The word refers to someone from the countryside, being an almost exact equivalent of the American English hillbil..."

Brazilian Favorites!!!

  This is a Caipirinha.

The word refers to someone from the countryside,

being an almost exact equivalent of the American English hillbilly. It is made from distilled sugarcane juice, whole limes and of course....Sugar! (Brazilians Favorite)

Here are a couple more versions of the Caipirinha.

Maracuja & Mint/Pepper

Ohhh, now this is my favorite snack before 3pm. These are everywhere and about the equivalent to our American Fast Food because they are quick, easy, and fattening. The Coxinha is made from shredded chicken and spices (occasionally including Catupiry-style cheese), enclosed in wheat flour—and deep fried. It is shaped to roughly resemble a chicken drumstick. It is doughy & scrumptious.

You see snacking in Brasil is much more difficult to do than snacking in America.  In America, food is quick, cheap everywhere and ready to go. In Brasil when you look into your fridge or pantry, you will see items that need to be cooked, including the popcorn. This is the first time in my adult life that we use everything in the fridge and the only waste is an occasional piece of fruit...but this we feed to the turtles. Motzart & Shocker.

Watch out my friends, you will never experience a BBQ at my house the same way again! The Brazilian Churrasco is the best way to spend your time in Brazil hanging with your friends. Churrasco's last all day... the meat, the conversation and beer are non-stop and sitting down with a plate of food is at your will and only when you are ready.  The side dishes are rice, farofa and a variety of salads, other than that we just snack on pieces of meat as they are pulled & cut from the grill. 

This is the typical Brazilian churrasco. From left to right and down, fraldinha, picanha, chicken heart, sausages, bread with garlic sauce, sliced picanhas with garlic and chicken legs. We use rock salt as the only spice which leaves just a natural salty meat flavor on our steak, remember the cows are grass fed here and free range all year round. The flavor of the beef is unbelievable. The sausage only comes in links; by the way you will never find ground sausage or breakfast sausage... which I miss like crazy.  I miss Lucile's Creole Cafe & Cracker Barrell for breakfast, if I were to get off the plane today; I would head for breakfast food first, then Mexican food for lunch and for dinner...I think I would show off my new Brazilian skills.

This is Farofa... Yucca Flour, Bacon, Sausage, Onion, Spices, Olives, Raisins... add whatever you want!  Now this is my Favorite.

This is Brigadeiro a national truffle of Brazil. It is made of sweetened Condensed milk and cocoa.

I am not a huge fan because I am not crazy for sweets; however they are very popular here in Brasil.  You will find them at every restaurant and every party.

I am digging in and filling in the gaps of my Portuguese.

My new words for the day:

Atras/ Behind

Talvez/ Maybe

Caminho/ Way

Sobre/ About or Above

During/Durante

Rio de Janeiro

This is where I will be in 3 weeks....

Sao Paulo, Brasil