Heidi´s Big City Adventure

Friday September 10, 2010

I learned a valuable (and expensive) lesson yesterday about Brazil and their plug-ins. They have 110 and 220 volts in each outlet (one of each). In an attempt to be a good house guest, I started a pot of coffee in the morning, and didnt take note of which outlet I used to plug in the coffee maker (why would I!?). Needless to say, coffee machine vs. 220 volts....220 volts won. A trip to the shopping centre and 99 Reis later, I now know to check the plug ins first.

Today, Pe dropped me off on Paulista Avenue on his way to work, after a few hours of window shopping and walking around downtown, I started to relax and enjoy. I went to starbucks for a coffee, and the barista spoke english. I was telling him how, when it comes to Portuguese, I seemed to have forgotten EVERYTHING I learned!! He said it was the same for him when he went to the US, that he was really nervous to speak and it took him 3 months to get comfortable with it. His advice: dont be so nervous. So, he wrote down a few Brazilian musicians and suggested I listed to them, and sent me on my way.

Getting home from the city wasn´t so easy...I got myself really turned around, and forgot where the bus stop was. I tried ask a guard at the hospital, but he (obviously) didn´t understand me because he handed what I think was a guest pass and buzzed me into the lobby. lol.

When I finally found the bus stop, my bus took a different route from yesterday, and I totally started to panic. I´m not going to lie, my heart is in my throat whenever I am tying to navigate this huge metropolis on my own...its really hard to begin with (for anyone, even without the language barrier) but if you know me, you know I especially suck at directions. Even in Edmonton. It didn´t help that I forgot my phone at home too...(no comments needed here).

I finally made it home, and after a BIG exhale, I ventured out again- with my phone this time. I walked down the street to a cafe ordered a sandwich and a beer (and it only cost 9 ries! ($5). sitting outside and drinking a beer in the sun was a nice ending to the afternoon *insert high five here* for ordering my first meal on my own.

Tonight, I am meeting friends at O´Malleys for drinks. I can´t wait! Fabio, my Brazilian friend in Edmonton, told me about O´Malleys before I left (it is one of his favorite bars in SP) in fact, one of his mates might even meet me there! Should be a good night, but it´s bitter sweet, because I am well aware that after this weekend, I am on my own. And yes, I am losing a little sleep over that....

Anyway, I´m trying not to think about that too much. Tonight......we drink!!!!