Me looking 23 years old.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Sunday, November 06, 2005
No Kissing please, I'm English!
Brazil is a country of kissing. It is very different and scary for a Brit in Brazil when all the people snog (French kiss) so quickly, easily and then just say good-bye before going to kiss someone else 20 minutes later.
In Brazil the kiss means a lot less than in Europe. A kiss being similar to a dance. "It is just easier than talking" I once heard.
So, being an obvious gringo in Brazil it is great in the bars as many girls are interested! (Not the same experience I get in the UK). But as it is a man-woman country the girls will make it obvious but never make the first direct move. They expect the "Men" to do that. So I am safe! Besides, I do not think I would like just being kissed and then dumped 5 mins. later (I know it is a different value system, but I am not ready for that yet!).
Reflecting on a Friday night out, I was told by my Brazilian Friends:
"She wanted to kiss you so much!"
"Really, how can you tell?"
"Pretty obvious to everyone else watching"
"Yes, but there were three girls (I was talking to a group) which one wanted to kiss me?"
"All of them!"
"Come on, how can I kiss all of them?"
"Dean, you are still thinking like a European too much!!!"
So lots of kissing, unless you are gay: BBC Link
In Brazil the kiss means a lot less than in Europe. A kiss being similar to a dance. "It is just easier than talking" I once heard.
So, being an obvious gringo in Brazil it is great in the bars as many girls are interested! (Not the same experience I get in the UK). But as it is a man-woman country the girls will make it obvious but never make the first direct move. They expect the "Men" to do that. So I am safe! Besides, I do not think I would like just being kissed and then dumped 5 mins. later (I know it is a different value system, but I am not ready for that yet!).
Reflecting on a Friday night out, I was told by my Brazilian Friends:
"She wanted to kiss you so much!"
"Really, how can you tell?"
"Pretty obvious to everyone else watching"
"Yes, but there were three girls (I was talking to a group) which one wanted to kiss me?"
"All of them!"
"Come on, how can I kiss all of them?"
"Dean, you are still thinking like a European too much!!!"
So lots of kissing, unless you are gay: BBC Link
Saturday, November 05, 2005
BBQs
So, two BBQs in 4 days, too much for the European stomach!
Wednesday was a public holiday in Brazil. So we (me and Lucy) went to a BBQ in the Sao Paulo countryside. It was a class that is graduating later this year and they decided to have a party.
Quiet strange, as everyone knew everyone (except us two... we never studied International relations in their uni??). But they made an effort. The house: a games house with Snooker (not pool!) table, swimming pool, football pitch, crazy golf, table tennis, table football, a BBQ and Pizza oven!
The menu: Beer, Bread and Beef.
That was it (well, some Farofa - a kind of pepper like flavoring).
So whilst a fun day (I have never played football drunk before!) not so healthy.
And then, today the same, an AIESEC Alumni BBQ (I am MC alumni responsible in Brazil, so it is part of my job to attend, the life of an MC member is at times unbearable!). So again a day of exclusive beer, bread, beef (and this time chicken).
A vegetarian at a Brazilian BBQ would just have Beer and Bread - be warned!
Wednesday was a public holiday in Brazil. So we (me and Lucy) went to a BBQ in the Sao Paulo countryside. It was a class that is graduating later this year and they decided to have a party.
Quiet strange, as everyone knew everyone (except us two... we never studied International relations in their uni??). But they made an effort. The house: a games house with Snooker (not pool!) table, swimming pool, football pitch, crazy golf, table tennis, table football, a BBQ and Pizza oven!
The menu: Beer, Bread and Beef.
That was it (well, some Farofa - a kind of pepper like flavoring).
So whilst a fun day (I have never played football drunk before!) not so healthy.
And then, today the same, an AIESEC Alumni BBQ (I am MC alumni responsible in Brazil, so it is part of my job to attend, the life of an MC member is at times unbearable!). So again a day of exclusive beer, bread, beef (and this time chicken).
A vegetarian at a Brazilian BBQ would just have Beer and Bread - be warned!
