No More Drizzle in Brazizzal

Aaaaahhh, the rain has broken. Today the sky was blue and there was nary a cloud to block the sun. Temperatures are rising and it should be short sleeve weather by the end of the week.

Another day of planning, hanging out with the teacher folk, and figuring it all out. Thinking back on the past three weeks--so much has happened. One of the not-so-fun parts of a new country is the administrative circus that must be endured. Fortunately, the indomitable Alessandra has been there every step of the way to help me and the rest of the new people gather all the necessary documents required of a new resident. Endless cab rides to various offices around Porto Alegre provided many moments of fun, frustration, and ultimate victory over red tape and reluctant government officials.

Indeed, Alessandra has been there from the beginning. It was she and Mario (another jewel from the school) who greeted me and another new teacher at the airport as we stepped off the plane into this new world. They held signs with our names and welcomed us with hugs and smiles. We quickly hopped into a cab and it was off to my new apartment. As luck would have it, I ended up in the Bom Fim neighborhood. Very cool. Very central and easy to get anywhere in the city. Many great shops, eateries, and parks within walking distance. The highlight being an organic fruit and veggie farmers market every Saturday at a nearby park.

The hospitality was evident from the beginning. My apartment has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and is fully furnished with all the basic necessities: bedding, towels, tv, furniture, kitchenware, etc. They even went out of their way to stock the fridge and pantry with some basic food items. Unreal. It's not swanky, but it's everything a body needs. I was beaming and in awe of this new life that had been laid out before me.

From there it only got better. It seems that everyone who is here really wants to be here. And the bosses at the school are just as concerned that we fall in love with Brazil as they are that we teach our little arses off. There is no doubt that we must perform as teaching professionals, but there is an understanding that we are here for the treasures that can only be found if you're willing to leave everything you know behind and settle yourself somewhere that is completely foreign and previously unimaginable.

So we went as a group on a walking tour of the city. We took a bus tour. We were taken out for one of the most memorable meals of my life: we went for churrasco. This truly has to be experienced to be believed. Basically, you sit down at a table and a team of men swoop upon you offering the freshest cuts of myriad meats on big steel spikes. All delicious and all in large supply. Each diner is given a card. Green on one side and red on the other. When you need a break, simply flip the card to red. I wasn't quick enough on the draw and was soon overcome with meat meat meat. Oh, there is a salad bar. And it's great. But the main attraction is the cuts.

We also toured the public market downtown and had a tutorial on how to make and enjoy chimarrao, an herbal tea like yerba mate that is quintessentially Guacho. Then it was on to a sampling of cachaca, a sugar cane liquor that is the tasty ingredient in caipirinha. A full and unforgettable day.