Brazilian Logic

As we zoomed up the hill to work the other morning, we began discussing how what was a two lane road on the weekends became a four lane road on the weekdays. Buses careen in and out of traffic, weaving with eye popping vehicular dexterity.

Motorcycles, fearlessly take on death as they pass on your right, driving in the gutter, or on the left playing chicken with the oncoming traffic. Even though I am a mere passenger, an observer of the absolute chaos of Brazilian driving, I always feel slightly relieved to get to work.

You know that successful feeling you have after making it to work on a really junky snowy day? Yup, same feeling every morning. Our Brazilian friend assured us that it was supposed to be four lanes. I asked why there weren't any lines... she thought maybe they had just forgot to paint them.

Driving home with the same friend we shocked her with the obscenities we shouted at a driver who almost smashed into us. We were in a left/go straight lane and he tried to turn left from the right lane. She informed us that he thought we were turning left. No #$%&! However, why is he making a left hand turn across traffic from the right lane? Why? Well, our friend thought he wanted to go left. Really? We are so glad she clarified that after he almost drove us into the canal.

Needless to say... I love Brazilians...but I have yet to see them drive with any sort of predictable pattern or walk in a straight line.

Relaxing in Rio

After weeks of blistering sweat dripping heat... it has cooled to around 80 degrees. It feels absolutely fantastic. Isn't it funny how quickly you adjust to temperature? Back in Colorado I would have found 80 degrees on the warm side, here it just feels pleasant. In fact, I haven't sweated all day and I have only felt the need to shower once.

We took the dogs for a walk along the beach road, which the city shuts down on Sundays. If often seems as if much of the city takes to road on Sundays, Children learn to ride bikes, roller blade, and skateboard as families stroll leisurely along enjoying one another's company. There is no proper side to walk if you are walking one direction, so we find ourselves weaving in and out of people as we meander along. Xuxa gets a lot attention from Brazilians, they seem enamored with her and it provides us one of our greatest opportunities to practice our Portuguese,

Later on we met up with friends and had a few beers at a beach kiosk on Ipanema beach. Life is good here in many ways. The beer is icy cold and a table at the beachside kiosk is yours for as long as you want it. Living in Rio has helped me to slow down and become a more patient person, to focus more on the moment. Seven months ago, I would have considered sitting around and chatting away an afternoon a slight waste. I always felt pressured to get work done or to go to sleep early so I could get up and work the next day. Life slows down with the heat, but maybe it is worth it...