Flags

Never in my life have I seen so much of Brazil on the streets here (yes I know I've already written a post on it), but I have been in complete awe these past days with the spirit of ALL walks of life, not just those wealthy enough to buy the STUFF.
The favelas (slums) here are showing more spirit than most of the wealthier neighborhoods. Our little street has two mangy flags hanging from what look like washing lines. But the favelas; they are something else. Spirit, flags, fireworks, and pure energy over their national team making them proud to be Brazilian.

Blah Blah Blah

Is it just me? Or do people here just love to talk? A lot. About whatever. Doesn't matter. Just shoot the shit. Hear your voice. Get to know your neighbor/colleague/random person on the street. There's something nice about it. A lack of inhibitions. Reaching out to the person nearest you and forming a bond which you both know is impermanent. No fear of "oh my god will they want to be friends/ask for my number?". It's rather nice. Have a chat, shake hands, blow a kiss, and go your separate ways. And it's all real, somehow. More real than when I go home and the people in shops are just artificially nice: "How ARE you? Have a nice DAY!" More reasons to stay....

Death in Brazil

Last night, an 8 month old baby died. Could she have been saved? Well it's really too late to contemplate. This little girl's father repairs electrical equipment and her mother does not work. We would consider them to be poor. Was the health care they received adequate and timely? Was everything possible done to save the little one given the parents' economic circumstances? Were the doctors lying when they blamed the mother for moving the baby from the sun into a rather cold house and not bundling her up adequately? Does it matter? To me, I can't imagine how a chill could lead to water on the lungs, kidney failure, and death. How will that mother live with herself thinking she started it all. And really; did she? Or was it something more serious? The pregnancy was difficult, and the mother had a history of unsuccessful pregnancies. Could the problem have been more fundamental? A defect from (or before) birth? I hope they bother to do an autopsy so at least the mother can rest in peace.

Cup Crazy

It is official. Brazil is certifiably crazy over football. It is impossible to walk down the street without been assaulted by the country colours. Green & Yellow flags, hats, noisemakers, ribbons on car antennaes, and even green and yellow lingerie in shop windows. If you don't own a T-shirt with 'Brazil' written on it and screaming yellow and green, you are not a real Brazilian. When the items first started to rear their ugly heads in shop windows, I assumed it was some new tourist campaign, but no! The Nationals are the tourists! Conferences, work schedules, and all work related matters have been re-set against the world cup games. Plasma screens are heavily discounted, and people are already firing up their Churrascarias (BBQ's) in anticipation of long meaty boozy celebrations of victory while the games are still being aired. I'm ready too. My handbags are be-decked with ribbons and my son proudly wears his T-shirt. We only hope that the man of the house doesn't get us all killed sporting his very obvious red and white English kit!