(Mais um) Feriado
One of the nice things about living in Brazil is that there are a lot of public holidays ('Feriados'). This Monday was Brazilian 'Independence Day', which meant a 3-day weekend for most people in Sao Paulo (at least, for those earning more than a minimum wage). Compared to others i have experienced, this seemed a rather unpatriotic event. My own 'multicultural' commemoration included washing clothes (fairly international, though the fact that i, as a young professional, wash them myself means there are some places where it doesn't apply...), eating sushi and ice-cream (not uncommon in Sao Paulo, but also not staples of the Republica Federal) and drinking beer (a national obsession).
It was suggested to me that the very fact my day had so many cultural influences was indicative of modern Brazil. Again, i can't help thinking this remains true only for Sao Paulo, and perhaps a handful of other metropolises. Can anyone share what it's like to spend September 7th in the Brazilian 'interior'?
From my perspective, the most patriotic part of the weekend was definitely Brazil's victory over Argentina in Saturday night's World Cup qualifier. If getting one over on this unpopular neighbour (in his own backyard) was not sweet enough, the fact that Argentina is now in real danger of not qualifying for next year's finals, and that Sr. Maradona had spent most of the previous week criticizing the Brazil team, would certainly have helped to make this a memorable evening.
Other weekend news:
It was suggested to me that the very fact my day had so many cultural influences was indicative of modern Brazil. Again, i can't help thinking this remains true only for Sao Paulo, and perhaps a handful of other metropolises. Can anyone share what it's like to spend September 7th in the Brazilian 'interior'?
From my perspective, the most patriotic part of the weekend was definitely Brazil's victory over Argentina in Saturday night's World Cup qualifier. If getting one over on this unpopular neighbour (in his own backyard) was not sweet enough, the fact that Argentina is now in real danger of not qualifying for next year's finals, and that Sr. Maradona had spent most of the previous week criticizing the Brazil team, would certainly have helped to make this a memorable evening.
Other weekend news:
- Diego and i went to the theatre to say 'O encontro das aguas' (the meeting of the waters), the story of 2 guys who strike up a friendship on a bridge where one lives rough and the other has gone to commit suicide. Touching in parts, funny in others, but frustratingly short at less than 40 minutes
- Flashbacks to Rotterdam as i ate a falafel kebab (interesting to note that what we used to refer to as 'Turkish' food is referred to here as 'Arabic', while the bread is 'Syrian'...)
- We were pretty lucky with the weather, as yesterday was very sunny, but today the rain returned with a vengeance. 80% of the usual September rainfall fell in just one day. And my umbrella chose today to blow inside-out...
posted by Rob at
4:48 AM
2 Comments:
Mas a melhor parte do feriado, você sabe qual foi, não sabe? hauahauhauahauahaua
Te Amo bebê!
Beijões
Can you believe I hardly had to use my umbrella yesterday? I woke up at 4h45 with no reason and decided to go to the office early, something I rarely do. I arrived just before the rain. When I went to have lunch, the rain had just stopped. When I left the office after the afternoon downpour, it was dry until I reached the gym. During my yoga class, the rain hit hard again. But when I left the gym to go home, it had already stopped! I was protected.
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