Brasil 2011

Brasil 2011

Here it is a new year and a new perspective for me and all Brazilians. 
For Brazilians.... today the newly elected President Dilma was sworn into office.  Dilma is the first woman president in Brazilian history.   She is the head of the Labor party and her stance is that all Brazilians will have the right to Education, Health Care and Jobs.  Like the previous President Lula, Dilma will continue to hold his policies in place as Brasil moves towards becoming a 1st world country.   In my limited impression of Brasil, there is has been quite a distance between the poor and the rich.  What I can see is the gap closing as Brasil is getting a middle class.  I go to the malls here and see the outrageous prices on things; I wonder who is it that is buying this stuff?  As far as I can tell, if you make $1200 reis a month you should be happy, however if you are a business owner here the sky is the limit but they will not pay the employees more than what they are used to.  It is confusing to me because when you eat out plan on dropping at least $60/meal.  If you want the extras in life you will pay for them, I think this is where it may get a little hairy for Rodrigo and me. I will say though you can get a massage for $15 and Pedi/Mani for less than $5.  Haven’t got one yet but it’s on my list.  Will this ever be a challenge, a Budget! F@%#!

Now, Let me take a minute and tell you what I saw at the mall yesterday;
Barney Dolly 10" tall, says a few words $129.00
Electronic Toys for Children under 2 like we would pay $35 for were $249
Pocket Knife $166 smallest version not a brand
A water bottle/ coffee holder- nice but not Starbucks nice $49
Cell phone service $91.00 for 100 minutes- seriously this is what we have

It is true that most items are made in Brasil and NOT imported from China, this is good and I think Brazilians have a few things in mind when they buy and sell.  1st I think they keep in mind how to stimulate their own economy.  2nd I think they have always had to think about TRASH~ Here the toilet paper is so thin that it sticks to you....yeah when you wipe.  Sucks!  The napkins are hard and feel like you are wiping with construction tissue paper.  The wet wipes for babies are the same and impossible to work with.  This is a problem because a lot of Brazilians are litter bugs.  I saw a lady driving a truck in Bumper to bumper traffic.  She just finished the last muscle relaxer...yeah I said muscle relaxer... And she threw it out the window.  I had to stare at it for 3 minutes in disbelief.  Just threw it out!  A plastic pill container, the kind that you pop a pill out of the foil backing- 6 pack.  One of the major problems here is lack of public education.  Not too long ago Brasil was ruled by a dictatorship and education was the least of the priorities.  It is so interesting because when I look out the window at the people as I am driving by them, they look just like Americans.  I think Brazil is at an amazing point in their history and I am happy to have the opportunity to be here emerged in their culture no matter how hard it can get for me at times.
If you are reading this you are always welcome for a visit, just wait till I have a home.

Our Plan?

Our Plan?

When we were at our favorite little beach town yesterday, Rodrigo was able to talk to someone about a great job prospect for him.   We have been waiting for this opportunity to come along.  Many have come but they just weren’t a perfect fit.  We met Rodrigo's uncle and he was so nice and happy to have us.  He lives in a very simple and wonderful place.  This is more like the Brasil that Rodrigo talked about.  There were dogs in the street, people walking and talking everywhere and horses!   I think the horses were there and the town grew around them.  This was the Brasil that I had in my mind and the mindset that allowed for me to come and experience this place.  I wrote a few weeks ago about going to the beach and choosing a place for me that would be more relaxing, this could be the choice.  I know this is where my home could be and I could feel comfortable.   We also realized that we could afford to live there once the tourists go back home, we had been looking when the prices were high and we just didn’t know enough about the place.  It is a perfect place, the people are simple and they ride bikes everywhere.  Houses are even built without as much security as the larger cities.  I know that I could be happy there for a while.

Sick, Sick, Sick!

12.30.2010

Sick, Sick, Sick!

Ok, we were going to be gone until tomorrow afternoon and this is why there were so many posts 2 days ago, however once we got to the beach we realized that my daughter was not getting any better and playing at the beach would be a bad idea.  So, we headed back and took her to the Dr.  She was getting pneumonia; the doctor said she had a mild case.  This is very common in tropical countries I am being told and this is the reason why people kept telling me to put shoes on Gabriela the other day.  Since there is a lot of moisture here and the fact that there is a lot of bacteria in the rain it is good to keep shoes on the kids and to give them warm beverages when they are sick.  Good to know.  I was so sad because not only was I emotionally drained but I was realizing again here we are with little stability.   I have been living out of a suitcase or temporary housing for almost 6 months because we have been saving and getting ready for Brasil, now here in Brasil I still don’t have a place to call my own.   I always had a nice and comfortable place for the kids to stay, sleep and play, however it just isn’t the same as being home.  Now the whole family is sick and in bed.  I hope we are all well in the morning, there will be a huge party here.

Fantastic News!

Well it has been a hard week here for me personally, but I have heard some exciting news.  My parents are spending New Years together . I think 2011 will be GRAND!  No expectations, just loving it and wishing them the best!

Happy New Year

12.31.2010

Happy New Year!

Just in Case I dont get back by New Years- Thanks for Reading and Enjoy your night.
Enjoy your home and Enjoy the Fact that you have one! See you in 2011!