Different

I've been thinking recently about how different life is for us here in São Paulo. In many ways, Id say life is harder. But the reality is it's so very different. I've learned that there is so much value to memories, so I wanted to make note of some of these things.

 

Washing clothes

Dryers are not common here so you have to hang all of our clothes to dry. In some ways it's great because all our clothing gets special care. In other ways it's very difficult when the availability of your clean laundry depends on good weather for them to dry!

 

 

Freezer Defrost



Our freezer requires a periodic (approximately every 4 weeks) defrost. This is not an issue for every Brazilian, just those with a small fridge/freezer like what's in our current apartment. Our freezer is one of those that's a tiny compartment above the fridge. Given this, ice builds up and eventually will take over the entire space if you let it. The the defrost is required. What does this involve you ask? Taking out everything in the freezer. And standing there for 45min-1 hour with a blow dryer to melt/remove the built up ice. Here's the sink full of ice after the last defrost. Good thing for podcast that keep me entertained during the process!

 

Cleaning the floors

The way floors are cleaned here is incredibly thorough. You throw water with cleaner on your floor. Scrub the floor with a broom then use a squidgy the water into the drain. At the end you wipe the floor down with a floor rag.





These differences pictured are some of the harder things in life here. But there are some differences that are really neat. For instance, we have a bread man that comes to our building two times a day with freshly baked bread. He comes at 7am and at 5pm. Several different options of bread, hoagie rolls, french bread, sausage bread, even sweet bread with chocolate filling! I know I'll miss the pharmacies that deliver. Pharmacies are not just for meds though - I just put in an order for shampoo, conditioner, face wash, cotton balls, and lotion. All delivered to my door! Another thing I have come to love is the way Brazilians love to spend time together. People here are always in pursuit of sharing a meal. Often time we will gather early to hang out before lunch, then stay awhile after lunch, before you know it, it's time for dinner. Might as well share dinner together also! It's a joy to live life in community!

I'll close with one of my favorite differences. The "feira" (farmers market). It's a part of the culture. There are farmers markets everywhere throughout the city. They are typically weekly. This is no mesly shopping occurance. At our farmers market you can get such a variety of things. Fruits and veggies are a given. But also available are, nuts, breads, species, meat, chicken, fish, pots, pans, household goods, DVDs...I'm sure there's more! The quality of the food is incredible! The prices are fantastic. What's really neat too is that the selling the goods are always the same. They remember you and even what you typically purchase. Have I mentioned I love community?!?!? Here's a picture of our Tuesday farmers market, just a 5 minute walk from home.