Brazilian life is going really well. Honestly, I have great days, and then hard days all kind of mixed together. I think it's good that way. If I had too many hard days in a row, it would be really tough. I don't want anyone to misunderstand me. I really love Rio. It's such a nice place to live. The people are very friendly, especially with kids, and I will never get tired of the ocean, and the mountain peaks, and the beautiful sidewalks. The LDS church I attend here is so good too. We have been welcomed with open arms (despite our language difference) and been made to feel very included. We've all made a few friends, which has really helped the adjustment, and even though my language isn't even close to where I want it to be, I can get by on the essentials. Smiles are understood in any language I've found. :) Usually if I am giving a sincere effort, people will try to work with me.
The hardest thing about living here is strictly the cultural differences. Because it is a different country from what I am used to (and it's my first experience out of the states!), many things are obviously done differently. Big city traffic is a real concern. Big city Rio traffic is really something else. I find myself shying away from things I did easily in the states, like driving to the grocery store and the kids school. I know I need to "woman up" and just do it, but it is really scary when motorcycles dash all around you (not to mention bicycles and even just people walking down the middle of the highways). Vehicles here don't wait for an opportunity to merge...they make the opportunity. Everyone weaves in and out as they please, honking occasionally to let you know they are coming. You just have to go with it, or get out of the way. It's not my preferred driving style, but I am trying to adjust.
Walking the sidewalks is the same way actually. Everyone just sort of goes. Spatial parameters are non-existent. I've actually been bumped into pretty hard a number of times without so much as an "excuse me" or, in portuguese, a "desculpa." I don't think it's meant as rude, it's just what people do. When we first got here, I excused myself and apologized for every "close call" like crazy, but got so many strange looks, I decided to stop. It's really not expected. Like the traffic on the streets, just go for it, and people will look out for themselves.
The only exception is if you have children, or a puppy, and then people won't leave you alone! If you happen to have a red-headed baby and a puppy, just except to be paparazzied...by pretty much everyone. My good friend here has plenty of experience in that area. ;) Really though, they do love their kids here. It's been nice.
I live in an area where pretty much every one has a maid...and a nanny. We don't, unless you count me. :) There are very few kids Ellie's age to play with. All of them are in very expensive pre-schools that are just not an option for us. I'm talking like thousands of dollars a month pre-schools. The poor girls spends a lot of time inside with me. We have a few good friends who are in the same boat as us, but that's about it. Thanks goodness we have them, or I don't know what we'd do!
Apartment life is very hard to get used to after having the freedom of a house and a yard and a nice neighborhood to play in! Dan and I are really fighting the kids about screen time lately, but what else do they have to do? They can't go out on their own, and hanging out with friends has to be scheduled for the drop-off and pick-up, which requires me to have the energy to do it. Another work in progress.
I figure, this is a good opportunity to become incredibly organized. I'll just have to see if I can work "organization" into my schedule! Maybe next week.
Well, I've rambled on long enough for one day, but before I go, a few things I absolutely love here are: Pineapple, black beans and rice, the Lagoa trail (I jog around the entire thing every Saturday now!), pãozinhos (little rolls that are found at most mercados and are soo good!), wavy sidewalks, the beach, Havaianas flip-flops, my new visiting teacher (she's adorable!) and my kids fantastic teachers. Oh, and I love getting packages from the U.S. It helps the homesickness a lot, even if it's just somethings we've ordered ourselves from Walmart! (Thank heavens for a DPO address!)
Okay, I'll stop. Here are a few pictures to catch me up for now! Tchau and beijos!
Oh, I forgot to mention that my Ellie Belly turned five last week! We had her little friends over for a tea party(hot chocolate) and cupcakes. We also spoiled her with Doc McStuffins toys and art stuff. She was one happy little girl!
200 year-old palms at Jardim Botanico.
This little guys scared my friend and me to death! Our kids were standing at the bottom of the tree looking up at him, and he dashed down (straight toward them!) to the garbage can for a bag of chips. It was really, really funny!
Before the dash.
As is this picture. We were trying to get one of the three of them together, but Ellie wasn't cooperating. Not sure what she was doing really!
Ellie's outfit for her birthday. She wanted to be a ballerina. Not so different from every other day.
Cheese!
A few more pretty ones of the family and kids!
Sunday morning!
Linc at Jardim Botanico.
Mommy and Me pictures!
Our favorite wall in Rio...waiting for a taxi after church.
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1 comment:
Becki you look great!!! Love your church outfit and the pics of you with the kids are so good!
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