Stacey in Brazil: Brazil: Day 1

Arrived in Sao Paulo at 6:20 this morning after a not-so-much-sleep flight. Blech. No problems with customs, no problems with my 4 checked items. Got everything unpacked and went shopping (shout out to Lindsay Todd for chaperoning and translating- thanks!). I discovered that when people speak to me in Portuguese and I don't understand, I get a big weird smile on my face. Must work on that. Checked out the mall, a Target-esque store I can't remember the name of, and a Lowe's-esque store that I also cannot remember the name of. Found everything I needed except a .5 tsp measuring spoon. I'll survive :) Was so sleepy I can't even tell you price differences. Didn't seem cheap though.

Apartment is small but very cute and plenty enough storage for me. Got hot as &%$# in here this afternoon because I get the afternoon sun. Will definitely need to get my portable a/c unit for this weekend, can't deal with another afternoon in here like that!

Apartment building is very secure. Nobody can get in or out without a key or garage opener. Plus there's always somebody working at the front desk watching security camera feeds from the garage and all over the building. The guy working the desk this morning (his name starts with a J... arg...) said he's working on his English just so he can help me more. Not sure whether he's for real or just being Brazilian nice. I managed to communicate with the maintenance guy using only "calor," "frio," and thumbs-up (all in reference to water), so that was good.

Parking garage (in basement of building) is going to be a special kind of challenge... no assigned parking, which can be a good or bad thing I guess. To get out, you have to stop over a metal sensor, hit the garage door opener button which opens the gate for 35 seconds, back around a concrete post, and then pull straight forward up the ramp. Either my backing skills are going to improve or the company car is not going to be pretty for very long. "J" at the front desk said it will be harder for me because my car is so big. Please note said car is a 2012 Civic. Aye aye aye...

No wireless yet... need my CPF (tax ID#) to get it set up. Anxiously waiting on that. In the meantime I have a 4G thingy for my laptop. Not ideal but hopefully can get that taken care of soon.

Saw another motorcycle going over the highway on a pedestrian cross over... wtf?? They're not that wide... I can't imagine walking across it and having a motorcycle come up behind me. I have a feeling there will be many more crazy "motoboys" antics to report.

Tomorrow is first real day at work. Need lots of good luck wishes! Need to get this stuff all knocked out so I can get my tush home in a reasonable time. Missin the wife and my peeps already... just a visualization of the distance smarts :(

I think my standard format is going to be: 1) random text, 2) Brazil stuff learned, and 3) pics. Work for y'all?

Brazil stuff I learned today:

1. Y'all. You aren't supposed to flush TOILET PAPER here. Apparently the sewer can't handle it. There's a little covered trash can next to all toilets (including the one in my apartment) that you're supposed to put your toilet paper in. Ew. Was it a strategic decision to not mention this to me until I'm all moved? Guess it's better than countries where you have to poop into a hole in the floor and they don't use TP at all. Still...

2. Paid 25% tax on the stuff I bought today. At stores they ask for your tax ID # before checking out. Do you get a refund for this when you pay your taxes? I have no answer for this yet.

3. My apartment is on the 6th floor as indicated by the elevator, but it's really the 8th floor. Apparently all buildings have a "T" floor where the lobby is, and this building also has a "P" floor with the party room, workout room, etc. At home the next floor up would be 3, right? They just start the numbering above those at 1 here.

4. Diet Coke is almost nonexistant here - replaced by Coke Zero, which suits me just fine. Are they going to do that in the states? Hrm...

View from living room porch