8.8.2000

So I'm going to Paraguay on Thursday.

Yup, pretty much. Only overnight to negotiate my visa. I have to leave the country in order to get an extension and Paraguay's the closest country to São Paulo state. Strange life of mine this is. Now, from what I hear, not far from the city I am going to is a series of waterfalls that are something like 5 times the scope of Niagara Falls. They say it's one of the most spectacular sights in Brazil. I believe I'm going to have a driver at my disposal, so I'm gonna try my damndest to go. It really all depends on the times of the flights and such. Keep your fingers crossed for me!)
posted by The Mo of Space and Death 13:02 (her time) @

Sometimes this is really frustrating.

I take a cab to the office every day. There's one other Expat here in Campinas, and generally, he takes care of the directions and stuff. The front desk in the hotel calls the cab in, and we have taxi chits to pay for them. Generally this goes off without a hitch.

Of course, this is Monday morning, so things naturally couldn't go well. The other Expat is in Rio for the next few days. So this morning, I had the luxury of eating breakfast alone and dawdling over my book, asked the front desk to call the cab. One pulled up with the right company name on the side and I got in.

I gave him the directions, and he started to ask me questions. Naturally, I couldn't understand a word, so I told him "fala apenas pequeno portuguese" (I only speak only just a little portuguese) which I've been resolving to do, as "não fala" seems to my Canadian sensibilities as just plain rude. It indicates not only a lack of language, but a lack of willingness to learn the language. And I do want to learn - desperately.

So he continues talking at me through the ride, fairly loudly, and doesn't really respond when I tell him I don't understand. We get to the building and he refuses to take my chit. He's evidently angry at me as he writes out something in the front seat. I called over security in hopes of a translator. We have to go into the lobby to speak to the company receptionist. There's a big fight and she tells me not to stay. I left her on the phone with the cab company and came upstairs.

I still don't know what the hell happened.

What the hell would I do if there was ever a real problem?
posted by The Mo of Space and Death 09:01 (her time) @

So much for my office.

Looks like I'm getting kicked out. They want to put some manager in here instead. They think I'm better suited upstairs, but can't tell me where upstairs. What a beautiful day this has turned out to be.

I should tell you all that I did have a fun afternoon yesterday. I went to the biggest open-air market in Campinas and viewed local crafts bought a frango é catipury torte (chicken and some kind of cheese pie) which is scheduled for dinner tonight. There was live native music in this huge ampitheatre crafted entirely in concrete and scrawled over in grafitti. It looked like it could as easily hold a political rally as easily as a music event. It'd be the place of choice for skateboard punks to roll if this were Canada or the US, but from what I've seen boards aren't nearly so popular down here. I've only seen very young kids on them. I saw pretty glasswork, lots and lots and lots of paintings, and a huge version of my tibetan mandela. By the way... if any of you reading this are the one that looked all over Toronto for one and couldn't find it, let me know?

I was at the market for a couple of hours, but didn't really buy anything but the torte. Money's still a big worry as I haven't gotten anything yet from the bank, though I didn't really expect to.

I think I'd like to go home and go to bed.
posted by The Mo of Space and Death 11:50 (her time) @

Mo is in:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Weather in:

São Paulo
Campinas
Rio de Janiero
Macaé
Manaus
Guarujá

Mail me, Dammit!
Expatria Archives

What I'm reading:
Nothing. Too busy.

Never finished:

Recently finished:

Desperately seeking:

Listening to:
Gary Brown: Dain St Live

See:

Campinas
São Paulo