Ups and downs

Inevitably, the same with anywhere in the world there are things here that I like, and there are things that take me longer to adapt to. So as my 20^th post on this blog I decided to write 20 things I like about living in Brazil, and 20 things that may "take me longer to adapt to" (if they were on a report card they'd be called "development areas"). These are based on my experiences in the 3 months so far (not scientific fact). Here they are.

1 - THUMBS UP. It’s always hot.

THUMBS DOWN. It’s always hot.

2 - THUMBS UP. People you know (friends and family) are amazing.

THUMBS DOWN. People you don’t know will run in front of you to beat you to the door and let it shut in your face when you're carrying a huge sofa.

3 - THUMBS UP. The beer is exceptionally chilled.

THUMBS DOWN. The red wine is exceptionally chilled.

4 - THUMBS UP. Beer is cheap.

THUMBS DOWN. It doesn’t make that delicious “TSSSsssshh” sound when you open the can.

5 - THUMBS UP. You can visit anyone at any time and be warmly received.

THUMBS DOWN. They expect the same at your house.

6 - THUMBS UP. Spectacular storms, beautiful blue skies, starry nights, lightning shows

THUMBS DOWN. Infrastructure can’t cope with the storms

Espetinho

7 - THUMBS UP. Barbeques and espetinhos.

THUMBS DOWN. Rice and beans.

8 - THUMBS UP. Ice cream is everywhere.

THUMBS DOWN. Rice and beans are everywhere.

9 - THUMBS UP. Lunch in a restaurant is good value and good variety.

THUMBS DOWN. There is nothing left by 1pm.

10 - THUMBS UP. I finally found sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms.

THUMBS DOWN. They cost the equivalent of an hours salary for a small jar and don't taste "the same".

11 - THUMBS UP. Huge variety of fruit and good value.

THUMBS DOWN. Very few vegetables.

12 - THUMBS UP. We live in a condominium with a porter, electronic gates and security.

THUMBS DOWN. None of the staff know what to do in an emergency (eg the regular power cuts).

13 - THUMBS UP. The beaches and the lake and the friends with swimming pools.

THUMBS DOWN. 10 minutes in the sun and you are raisinised.

14 - THUMBS UP. 2 hour lunch break.

THUMBS DOWN. Driving back to work and scolding your back as it touches the seat.

15 - THUMBS UP. We have a car

THUMBS DOWN. We need 2 cars.

16 - THUMBS UP. The ‘rush hour’ only lasts 10 mins.

THUMBS DOWN. There are 4 rush hours per day.

17 - THUMBS UP. We have seat belts in the back seats.

THUMBS DOWN. People only use them when I refuse to move until they are belted in.

18 - THUMBS UP. Once in a while other drivers use their indicators

THUMBS DOWN You can’t trust them to be using them accurately, so you ignore them.

19 - THUMBS UP. Rent and house prices are low

THUMBS DOWN. Salaries are lower.

20 - THUMBS DOWN. Calling and texting is complex and expensive.

THUMBS UP. Everyone has Whatsapp

THUMBS DOWN. Whatsapp groups.