I didn't feel like doing much of anything today (I'm having my girly time) But I did manage to explore a bit of the old "Centro Hístorico" - which is basically where the Bandeirantes (the original explorers that founded São Paulo) landed. It was founded in 1580 and many of the buildings have been preserved and restored... It's lovely.
This evening I did one of my favorite things to do when abroad...I went to the movies! I must say that the theater was just as nice as our theaters in the states, in fact, the quality of life here (at least for the middle/upper class) is completely comparable to the US...If I could get my Portuguese together, I could easily live here. The film was called "Mulher Invisível" (Invisible Woman)... It was a romantic comedy about a guy that is so heartbroken when his girlfriend leaves him that he invents the ideal woman and is convinced that he is having a relationship with her. Hysterical. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to catch all of the jokes and the dialogue, but honestly, I would say that I understood 90% of what was going on. Exciting. I hope this film makes it to the states or at least to Argentina so I can share it with my family and friends.
What I learned today in Brazil:
1. When a man proposes to a woman in Brazil he presents her with a little box and that little box does NOT contain a ginormous diamond symbolizing how much he loves her due to the fact that he's willing to spend half his year's salary on a ring... NOOO siree. Instead that little box contains two plain gold bands... One for him, and one for her. If she accepts his proposal, then they place the rings on eachother's right ring finger. This means that they are engaged or "noivos" - during the wedding ceremony, the bands are moved to the left hand, symbolizing that they are then married or "casados" - - - LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. seems so much more like a joint effort and mutual commitment, I had to share.
2. Brazil fuels the majority of their cars with a combustible that is derived from SUGARCANE? I'm probably way behind the times on this but when we pulled up to the gas station, I noticed a different smell and on the pump two choices - GASOLINA, ALCOOL (this alcohol is a sugarcane ethanol) ... come to find out - Brazil is considered to have the world's first sustainable biofuels economy and its sugarcane ethanol "the most successful alternative fuel to date. COOL. I was unaware of this.
Até manha :) Beijos!!! (until tomorrow, kisses!!!)
So I gave you a small wooden box and inside were two delicious-looking fine "Fran's Chocolate" (a famous chocolateria in Seattle) truffles and you and I took one and fed each other the truffles, would we become "chocolate lovers"? ;-) Hugs y besios! "Sly" :-)
ReplyDeleteum. yes, I believe that would be standard protocol if you were to present me with that kind of gift. LOL. thanks for keeping up with my blog, sly!!!! Beijooos!
ReplyDeleteSo I'm hoping this guy actually gets to come into an "up close & personal, in the flesh" kind of an experience with his dream-lover. Einstein did say that "Imagination is our preview of life's coming attractions" and I'm feeling that if one lives true to & worthy of love ... that the universe (which is rooted in love) notices and will respond in FULL measure :)
ReplyDeleteI too love the simple & deeply meaningful exchange of bands in the knowledge that what is really being given & shared is without material counterpart and absolutely "priceless". May we ALL be blessed with this ... the fullness of love's most passionate, heartfelt & enduring gift :)
Regarding Brazil's ethanol production & usage ... here's a good web page with history & current data: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil
Brazil is in a unique position having available land & climate for sugarcane production. Sao Palo has the first ethanol powered public bus.. and Honda has come out with a motorcycle which is a "flex-fuel" vehicle allowing for ethanol to be run. All very good schtuff.
I'm heading up to Auntie's soon to help her with a few things and then up to the "Intregrative Spirituality" yacht in Sausalito tonight to be with Errol & Rochelle for a really fun pot-luck and presentation on the possibilities existant within "Relationship". It'll be a preview of their upcoming new San Francisco show called "Sex, Money and God, Not Necessarily in That Order". I'll give you a full review.
Muitos beijos de sue poppalegria ;)
so cool about exchanging rings...makes so much more sense to have it be mutual from the beginning...i had no idea about that type of fuel- seems like Brazil is so much more advanced than other SA countries! I really love the picture of you in front of the blue door and car! reminds me of the one you took of me by the red car in Portugal!!:) mjxoxo
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