There is something to be said for the quality of service at eating establishments in Sao Paulo. For example, Ricardo and I sat for two hours the other night at a wonderful patio style restaurant before we even ordered our meals. I think it was two, maybe only one. I don't know, we were drinking and having an appetizer waiting for others to come. Meanwhile the restaurant waiting area was filling up. But no one rushed us, no one asked when we were going to order, and no one gave us covert looks. Well maybe the waiting patrons, but the wait staff did not. And did you know that IF you tip it is only 10% tops? I commented to Ricardo that if they moved people along faster, this restaurant - actually any restaurant, because no one here rushes you -and the staff could make more money. (I mean this restaurant's waiting area was wall to wall!) He asked if I wanted to be rushed out. Well no of course not! It was just an observation really. I am perfectly happy to take 4 hours out of my Saturday night, have great conversation, sit and eat wonderful food and have drinks and not worry that someone will say "here's your hat, what's your hurry?".
I think it is because Brazilians take their food very seriously. Food can be an art form. And you cannot rush art. People here eat slow and enjoy their food. Me? I can be done in 5 minutes flat no problem. But that does not really work here. Plus you can't eat a burger in 5 minutes when you have to cut it and eat it with a knife and fork. Yep, that is right. You eat everything with a knife and fork - pizza, burgers, sandwiches, desserts. It's really no wonder why meals take so long. Have you ever tried to eat a burger with a knife and fork? I did tonight. It isn't easy. The caramelized onions were everywhere, the top bun slid off, the lettuce was massacred. The table looked like there was a three year old eating at it. And you would think that after five months here I would have it down. Well I have eating pizza with utensils down, that one is easy. But I am still struggling with the burgers. I so badly want to pick the damn thing up and eat it! But, alas, I cannot. Besides I would feel like George Costanza eating a candy bar with a knife and fork and everyone staring!
I know I will learn how to eat correctly, or at least more civilized by the time we leave here. But you can bet your last dollar that when I hit the States for vacation I am picking up that damn burger and shoving it down my throat!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Can't Open the Windows...
I grew up in Ohio where we did not have central air conditioning. We opened windows during the summer and let the breeze in. I can still be in a house that is 80 degrees and be comfortable because there is a breeze. This drives my husband - who is an A/C lover - crazy. Conversely, I can also be in a house that is 50 degrees and the windows are open and be comfortable too. This also drives my husband crazy because it is too cold. To me the 50 and the A/C feel the same so I can't figure out what the problem is. When I moved to Florida I understood the concept and benefits of A/C. I still don't like it, but 75 degrees A/C is way better than 150 degrees and roasting.
So we move to a tropical country where central A/C does not exist. What? Are they crazy? Apparently. What we have in our apartment is unit A/Cs. We are actually lucky that we have them as some places do not, plus these units also have heat. There is no heat here either which is bad in July and August when it can get down into the 40s. Bbrrrr, cold!
But back to the A/C. I still can't stand it. I would rather open the windows and enjoy the breeze. This, however, will never work here. Why? Well I will tell you. First of all we are on the 13th floor. No worries, 13 is Ricardo's lucky number. Second? We have no screens on our windows. So anything flying around outside is welcome to come in, or someone inside is welcome to go out too. Third, the river is next door. Even 13 stories up you can taste the smell of the river. So I have decided to enjoy A/C. Well enjoy is all relative I guess. At night when Ricardo has it blasting, with no covers on, I am totally under the sheets, the down comforter, and wearing flannel pjs. You cannot even see my head above the blankets. But it is way better than the alternative. And I will enjoy it to the best of my ability until we move back to the Northern US where I can open my windows again.
So we move to a tropical country where central A/C does not exist. What? Are they crazy? Apparently. What we have in our apartment is unit A/Cs. We are actually lucky that we have them as some places do not, plus these units also have heat. There is no heat here either which is bad in July and August when it can get down into the 40s. Bbrrrr, cold!
But back to the A/C. I still can't stand it. I would rather open the windows and enjoy the breeze. This, however, will never work here. Why? Well I will tell you. First of all we are on the 13th floor. No worries, 13 is Ricardo's lucky number. Second? We have no screens on our windows. So anything flying around outside is welcome to come in, or someone inside is welcome to go out too. Third, the river is next door. Even 13 stories up you can taste the smell of the river. So I have decided to enjoy A/C. Well enjoy is all relative I guess. At night when Ricardo has it blasting, with no covers on, I am totally under the sheets, the down comforter, and wearing flannel pjs. You cannot even see my head above the blankets. But it is way better than the alternative. And I will enjoy it to the best of my ability until we move back to the Northern US where I can open my windows again.
Thanksgiving
What do you do in a country that does not know what a spiral cut ham is? Or that brown sugar is actually different than regular sugar? Personally they need to know these things, especially the ham. This country loves salt! A ham would be perfect!
They do sell turkeys here for Christmas. But if you want one earlier you need to go to the import supermarket. They do not sell canned pumpkin there, but they do make pumpkin pie. I guess there is enough ex-pats here that they all sell. I did not go to this store and I was not about to boil down real pumpkin to make my pie - too much work. Of course that is saying something since it takes me three hours to cook black beans. Lazy much? Yes, actually. Alas, I will wait for my pie at Christmas. Mom don't forget to put the sugar in it!
Well, it was just us, so I did not go get a huge turkey. I went next door and bought some turkey breast, potatoes, and onion soup mix and threw it in the slow cooker with garlic, sage and butter. It was extremely delicious. I am lucky this is a Latin country so that we could have our black beans for the husband. Of course my maid was looking at me while I was making them and trying to figure out why I would put the things I do in them. Apparently, Brazilian feijao is different than Cuban friejoles negros. But it turned they out well and she actually thought they were tasty though not salty enough.
It was a mix really: Argentine wine, American flavored turkey and potatoes, Cuban black beans, Brazilian asparagus, French bread, American stuffing, and plain old white rice.
The boys actually had school on Thursday since we go to an International British school, who does not recognize Thanksgiving, so we had Thanksgiving on Friday after school. The boys stayed up later and we had great family time. We hope that everyone wherever they are, had a great holiday!
They do sell turkeys here for Christmas. But if you want one earlier you need to go to the import supermarket. They do not sell canned pumpkin there, but they do make pumpkin pie. I guess there is enough ex-pats here that they all sell. I did not go to this store and I was not about to boil down real pumpkin to make my pie - too much work. Of course that is saying something since it takes me three hours to cook black beans. Lazy much? Yes, actually. Alas, I will wait for my pie at Christmas. Mom don't forget to put the sugar in it!
Well, it was just us, so I did not go get a huge turkey. I went next door and bought some turkey breast, potatoes, and onion soup mix and threw it in the slow cooker with garlic, sage and butter. It was extremely delicious. I am lucky this is a Latin country so that we could have our black beans for the husband. Of course my maid was looking at me while I was making them and trying to figure out why I would put the things I do in them. Apparently, Brazilian feijao is different than Cuban friejoles negros. But it turned they out well and she actually thought they were tasty though not salty enough.
It was a mix really: Argentine wine, American flavored turkey and potatoes, Cuban black beans, Brazilian asparagus, French bread, American stuffing, and plain old white rice.
The boys actually had school on Thursday since we go to an International British school, who does not recognize Thanksgiving, so we had Thanksgiving on Friday after school. The boys stayed up later and we had great family time. We hope that everyone wherever they are, had a great holiday!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
One Thing Brazil Does Right
Only one thing? What does Brazil do right? Well, even native Paulistas (people from Sao Paulo) will tell you the list is not extensive. Something always gets screwed up. I will give you an example. While driving down the Marginal in Sao Paulo there is a very beautiful building. It is the tallest building across from the Jockey Club. It is white with a black rounded top. It has been there for ten years - unoccupied. Why you ask? Because the guy who built it bribed the city officials to get it built. Then when the inspectors came along they said it was too tall and in the flight path of the regional airport and due to safety reasons and height requirements, he either has to take off the top three floors, with a bread knife?, or leave it as is and not be allowed to rent it out. Local Paulistas view this building as what is wrong with here because it is still there taking up space.
So what is one thing they do right? They have the best juice I have ever tasted. Was it Homer, the writer not Simpson, who's quote "Nectar of the gods" is famous? Well, he must have traveled to Brazil and had a glass of juice. Imagine any juice, Banana? They have that. Strawberry? Try Nectar of Strawberry. It is like drinking a bunch of squished up fresh strawberries and my boys' personal favorite. Pineapple juice and apple juice are actually cloudy because they come from the fruits and not concentrates. The apple juice tastes like you went to the local orchard and had fresh pressed apple cider. There is acai that is so much tastier than the stuff you get in the States. There is maricuja - extremely delish, guave, pear, mango juice so thick it is like sucking down pulp. And none have preservatives so you have to drink them fast before they spoil.
When we go back for the holidays I need to bring back Popsicle sticks and ice trays to make frozen juice pops like the Kool-aid ones we made as a kid. I don't think I will need to eat anything all summer, just snack on those. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Something they do right. And I will definitely miss it when we leave here.
So what is one thing they do right? They have the best juice I have ever tasted. Was it Homer, the writer not Simpson, who's quote "Nectar of the gods" is famous? Well, he must have traveled to Brazil and had a glass of juice. Imagine any juice, Banana? They have that. Strawberry? Try Nectar of Strawberry. It is like drinking a bunch of squished up fresh strawberries and my boys' personal favorite. Pineapple juice and apple juice are actually cloudy because they come from the fruits and not concentrates. The apple juice tastes like you went to the local orchard and had fresh pressed apple cider. There is acai that is so much tastier than the stuff you get in the States. There is maricuja - extremely delish, guave, pear, mango juice so thick it is like sucking down pulp. And none have preservatives so you have to drink them fast before they spoil.
When we go back for the holidays I need to bring back Popsicle sticks and ice trays to make frozen juice pops like the Kool-aid ones we made as a kid. I don't think I will need to eat anything all summer, just snack on those. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Something they do right. And I will definitely miss it when we leave here.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Things You Can't Live Without
It is truly amazing what we think we can't live without. I have actually made a list for the next time we have an air shipment so we wouldn't be "roughing it" where ever we go next. Here is the list:
So these are the things that make life hard to live without. Ricardo has said many times that I bitch too much and I should be thankful. Which is totally true. But I am actually extremely grateful and thank God everyday for the opportunities he has given me and my family. I look outside at the beautiful blue sky and thank God for the day. Or look out when it is rainy and cold and thank God that we have a warm place to live and my family is alive and healthy.
Because you look around Sao Paulo and you see that the city has two distinct classes, those who have and those who have not. This holiday weekend we went to the Rodeo Drive of Sao Paulo - Oscar Freira. It was very nice, and we enjoyed walking around. Then we head back to our car and a lady is sitting on the side of the street with her young child or grandchild (don't know which). She was sitting there when we got there, and has not moved in the time we were gone. The child was maybe 4. And that is all the stimulation that young mind will have that day.
Then as we head out anywhere and have to get on the highway - The Marginal as they call it here - there is a street that you drive down where the people live in cardboard boxes. I have seen a few smoking crack when we have driven by. Which you would say is why they are on the street. But that is not the reason for all of them.
Then yesterday I am at Sam's Club with my friend. We are loading up about $1000 Reais ($500 US) of food and purchases into the bulletproof car between the two of us. Along comes a guy on crutches. This is probably more food than he has seen in 6 months. I have no idea what he is saying, but I can figure it out. He is begging. Now I have passed people before and not given them money, usually when I don't have anything or nothing readily in my pocket. But I just couldn't morally fill this car with food and not give him anything. So I take a R$10 out of my purse and give it to him and say good day. Now some will read this and say I should not have given him anything, that it will go to drugs or something. But how do you know? Statistically it is quite possible, but there is always that other percentage where he actually really needs it for food. He couldn't stop thanking me and blessing me and I could not figure out why. Then when we got in the car Beth asked how much I gave him. R$10. Why? Well usually people only give him 10 cents or so - he's not going to know what to do with that much money. But that R$10 is really only $5 US to me, a Starbucks coffee. Plus it was the smallest bill I had in my wallet.
Now I am not trying to brag or pat myself on the back. Please do not think that. But as I organized my closet yesterday and my boys were thanking me for the M&Ms I bought them I could not help but think of that gentleman. Does he have a place to live? Will he use the money for food? Does he have kids like mine that need that money? And I think, I can give my kids piano lessons, Jiu Jitsu classes, a private school. And as I drink my coffee and look out from my balcony to the Favela across the highway, I thank God for everything He has given me and I promise that I will try to not bitch as much for the things I think are inconveniences.
Things you May want to Include in an Air Shipment
- One place setting for each person: plate, bowl, cup, and silverware set
- One pot and one pan and one cookie sheet
- Basic cooking utensils: spatula, slotted spoon, mixing spoon, garlic press, bread knife
- Cutting board and butcher knife
- Ziploc bags and/or freezer bags in various sizes
- Reynolds wrap
- Coffee/tea pot and cup
- Toaster
- Kitchen towels and pot holder
- Your entire medicine cabinet
- A set of towels for each person
- A set of sheets for each bed plus pillow and comforter
- A variety of toys for kids (not just one thing like Legos, they will get bored)
- Game system (Wii, Xbox)
- Sport equipment: football, baseball and bat, roller blades
- A variety of clothes for warm and cold weather and anything in between
- Your hobby (i.e. knitting or beading)
- All of your computer wires, wireless router, and electronic chargers (iPod, camera, video camera, phone, Kindle/Nook)
- A home telephone
- A variety of DVDs for both kids and adults
So these are the things that make life hard to live without. Ricardo has said many times that I bitch too much and I should be thankful. Which is totally true. But I am actually extremely grateful and thank God everyday for the opportunities he has given me and my family. I look outside at the beautiful blue sky and thank God for the day. Or look out when it is rainy and cold and thank God that we have a warm place to live and my family is alive and healthy.
Because you look around Sao Paulo and you see that the city has two distinct classes, those who have and those who have not. This holiday weekend we went to the Rodeo Drive of Sao Paulo - Oscar Freira. It was very nice, and we enjoyed walking around. Then we head back to our car and a lady is sitting on the side of the street with her young child or grandchild (don't know which). She was sitting there when we got there, and has not moved in the time we were gone. The child was maybe 4. And that is all the stimulation that young mind will have that day.
Then as we head out anywhere and have to get on the highway - The Marginal as they call it here - there is a street that you drive down where the people live in cardboard boxes. I have seen a few smoking crack when we have driven by. Which you would say is why they are on the street. But that is not the reason for all of them.
Then yesterday I am at Sam's Club with my friend. We are loading up about $1000 Reais ($500 US) of food and purchases into the bulletproof car between the two of us. Along comes a guy on crutches. This is probably more food than he has seen in 6 months. I have no idea what he is saying, but I can figure it out. He is begging. Now I have passed people before and not given them money, usually when I don't have anything or nothing readily in my pocket. But I just couldn't morally fill this car with food and not give him anything. So I take a R$10 out of my purse and give it to him and say good day. Now some will read this and say I should not have given him anything, that it will go to drugs or something. But how do you know? Statistically it is quite possible, but there is always that other percentage where he actually really needs it for food. He couldn't stop thanking me and blessing me and I could not figure out why. Then when we got in the car Beth asked how much I gave him. R$10. Why? Well usually people only give him 10 cents or so - he's not going to know what to do with that much money. But that R$10 is really only $5 US to me, a Starbucks coffee. Plus it was the smallest bill I had in my wallet.
Now I am not trying to brag or pat myself on the back. Please do not think that. But as I organized my closet yesterday and my boys were thanking me for the M&Ms I bought them I could not help but think of that gentleman. Does he have a place to live? Will he use the money for food? Does he have kids like mine that need that money? And I think, I can give my kids piano lessons, Jiu Jitsu classes, a private school. And as I drink my coffee and look out from my balcony to the Favela across the highway, I thank God for everything He has given me and I promise that I will try to not bitch as much for the things I think are inconveniences.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)