A Day in the Life of Megan in Brazil

I've been in Brazil for about six weeks now and I'm starting to develop somewhat of a routine. I'm convinced none of my devoted followers will enjoy reading today's post, and some may even abandon me for such a lame excuse for a post, but some people, and by "some people" I am refering to soley my parents, are positive people would enjoy reading what I do on a daily basis. So, I will share it with you now. WARNING: THE POST YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ CONTAINS VERY MUNDANE CONTENT. NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THOSE WHO ARE SLEEPY, BORED, OR SIMPLY HAVE BETTER THINGS THEY SHOULD BE DOING AT THIS TIME.

On weekdays, I normally wake up around 6:15 in the morning. Around 7:00, I walk to school with two of my classmates. In school, I have six classes, of which I understand next to nothing in all of them. After the third class, there is about a twenty minute break to get something to eat at the school cafe, use the restroom and talk. The last class ends at 12:20 and I usually arrive home around 12:30. When I arrive, my parents are waiting to eat lunch. One of my favorite parts of the day! After, I usually take a nap or get on the computer for about an hour. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays I have natacao, swimming, at the gym near my house. I walk there and have class for about an hour. Then from about 3:00 to 6:00, I do pretty much whatever my little heart desires. Sometimes I go out with friends, sometimes I read, sometimes I sleep more, sometimes I run errands with my host mom. It kinda just depends on the day. Around 3:00 or 4:00, I usually tomo cafe, eat a little something. Normally, its some sort of bread, maybe some fruit, cake, whatever we happen to have. But it's not something you prepare. Its just a little something. But I almost always have coffee at this time. At 6:00 the novelas start! First, I watch Escrito nas Estrelas, Written in the Stars, and then Tititi, which doesn't translate. I'm not sure but I think it's a name. And some days I also watch Passione. Then, around nine or so, I usually head to bed. On the weekends, I have a very different schedule that varies a lot. But usually on Friday and Saturday nights I got out with my friends. Sometimes to a resturant where we eat and talk forever, sometimes to watch a movie at someones house, sometimes to a party. It just depends. On Sundays, sometimes my family and I got to Mantutina to visit my host mom's mom. Its an even smaller city than Sao Gotardo about twenty minutes from here. And so in a paragraph, thats pretty much my life here in Brazil. Goin' to school, hangin' out, eatin' pastel. And don't get me wrong, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I THINK IT'S THE COOLEST THING EVER! I just think reading about it is far less exciting than actually doing it. And I don't know how many times I have already and will say this, but for me, truly, the most exciting part is that I do it all in Portuguese! Well, not all of it, but most of it!

Another thing, now that I'm getting somewhat familiar with my city, some may tell you otherwise because I'm absolutely horrible with direction, I am starting to notice some differences. Some you may find interesting, others, just plain shocking. And I'm sure I will probably leave out about one hundred but these are the most obvious ones, and also the ones I thought my readers would appreciate most.

1. There is hardly any grass. I mean, seriously, you would think I live in New York City or something.
2. Resturants are usually open air. That is, you sort of just walk in through a breezeway and sit down, theres no doors that remain closed during business hours.
3. There is absolutely no air conditioning. If its hot, you open the windows. If its cold, you close the windows. It's much cheaper that way.
4. In every house I have been in, a gas stove is used. I have not seen a single electric stove yet.
5. Everyone here drives either a stick shift or a motorcycle.
6. There are no posted speed limit signs in the city. Roads just have randomly placed speed bumps so that drivers are forced to slow down.
7. No one has carpeted floors.
8. Television has far fewer and frequent commercials. It's fantastic.
9. I'm not sure on this one, but I think some places don't charge tax.
10. It's almost election time and so cars drive around with these huge speakers roped to the roof of the car or the trunk playing songs to promote certain candidates. Lots of times, they take already famous songs and change the words. They are often very repetative and catchy. Its at times very annoying because your sitting outside with your friends enjoying some pastel, trying to partake in intellectual, mentally stimulating conversation, and all the sudden you hear this song playing you already heard a million times. It starts of quite, then gets louder, and before you know it, its all you can here! I can't wait until election day!

Ate mais! Tchau!