Thoughts, Gathering, and Açaí

Today I didn't do much besides set up this blog, so I thought I'd comment on a few things I've experienced in Aracaju.

Driving -- My dad could never live here. If you know my father, he's actually a very good driver. But here good means bad in terms of driving. All the good drivers are actually awful drivers. Make sense? Red lights are oftentimes only suggestions to look both ways before you speed through. Motorcyclists graze your arms if you choose to stop at red lights while they shuffle their way to the front between stopped cars. U-turns are a given. Power steering is uncommon. Manual transmission is 90% or more, and an equal amount aren't sure how to properly use one without jerking and jolting around. I've also been told not to stop at red lights at night because it's dangerous. People could approach your car, and that's a bad thing.

Communication -- People speak so loud! Have you ever heard of what we call "cell yell" in the US? Double that, and you'll have a friendly conversation in Aracaju. I've even had my friends tell me, "You speak so softly."

Politics -- Elections are coming up in October and that means campaigning. The voting process, however, is a little different. Instead of using paper ballots and viewing the names of the candidates you want to choose, you must remember their number. Each person is assigned a number and the voter needs to punch in that number at the ballot place. Such a system has led to some extremely annoying (albeit, creative) campaigns. Television runs political ads non-stop and cars, bikes, and trucks attach walls of speakers to blast jingles in the streets, usually containing the number of the candidate. The people I've talked to are just as curious as to how effective such ads actually are.

Food -- People eat much more often than I typically have before. Breakfast is always eaten as a relatively large meal compared to the typical bowl of cereal or toast in the US. Lunch is the main meal of the day and activities center around how, when, or where people will get lunch. Dinner seems to be a large meal as well. Food is typically less expensive than in the US. Street vendors are very cheap, and the smaller the establishment usually the less expensive the food. Price does not dictate taste, though! I've eaten some very cheap things that have tasted so amazing!

Independence -- I've also been surprised at the young people my age being surprised that I can actually function on my own. People are surprised when I tell them I'll cook, wash clothes by hand, or navigate the city alone. Most of them still live with their parents. It's completely common for people to stay at home through university and oftentimes until they get married. Many of the people I've been surrounded by have maids as well. Maids seem to be a given for any family of middle class status. Both of these facts leave only some room for young people to learn some of these activities. Also, along the lines of independence, albeit completely different, yesterday was Brazil's Independence day. I was absolutely surprised that I heard only one mention of it all day, and that no one seemed to care. Apparently, it's not a major holiday in Aracaju, although businesses are closed.

[Front Row] Tigolinho, Gafo, Aline
[Back Row] Dioclese, Aunt Rosi, Maneco,
Laís, Nate, and Karlinha

Two nights ago, we had a going away party for Gafo at Maneco's house. He flew out today bound for Porto Alegre after staying with Maneco in Aracaju for about 10 days. He was a great guy, and we'll all miss his company. Below is a photo of the crew gathered at Maneco's last night. The food was great as usual. Mashed macaxeira with meat, lasagna, and a chocolate peanut cake that Laís, Karlinha, and I bought at the mall. All washed down with Guaraná and Coca. Everyone here calls it Coca, never Coke or Coca-Cola. 

Last night Laís and I went out for coxinhas because I couldn't stop craving them. We went to a place called Baviera Haus along the beach. It's a chain restaurant that serves some great food. We ordered a coxinha and cachorro quente em pão (literally, hot dog in bread). It was a Bavarian twist on a hot dog that turned out to be really amazing. With two cans of Guaraná, our bill came to R $17 ($9), not bad for two people.

While we ate, we were approached by all sorts of people. My skin tone seriously makes me stick out like a white egg. People tried selling pirated DVDs and begging for spare change. It's happened a good number of times so far when we're out. Some young boys, presumably brothers, came to our table and asked if they could have some Guaraná. Laís poured a little more and gave them half of the can. She looked and felt bad as they walked away and the three of them shared the small amount left in the can. She told me she sees these kids so thin and worries about how they're making along. The boys gave the littlest one, about 2 or 3 years old, a few drinks of the soda as well. We told each other we'd buy them hot dogs at a nearby vendor when we were brought the check. Unfortunately, they had walked out of the area without us being able to catch them first. I guess it wasn't meant to be at the time. Maybe another time.

Gafo, Nate, and Maneco at the farm last weekend

Afterward, we randomly found Laís' sister, Ligia, with her friend, João, at a nearby stand drinking coconut water. We agreed to get açaí at a place nearby. Most of us in the US hear a lot about açaí. It's in every tea and every diet pill advertised, or at least it seems to be. But tonight I started to realize I really have no idea what it meant to "eat açaí" in Brasil. The berries of the açaí palm are cultivated, blended, and frozen into a soft serve sorbet served with small side cups of granola, sweetened condensed milk, and honey--an absolutely delicious dessert or snack. Click HERE for a picture. The cost was similar to an ice cream treat in the US at about R $5 ($3).