Brazil vs. Argentina vs. USA

So I've been here in Rio for a couple weeks now and I'm starting to learn a little about the culture, and to observe some of the differences between living in Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. Now some of these observations may be unique to Rio and not the norm for the whole country but I'll still share with you what I've observed.

The first, and probably most disheartening thing I realized was that there is no siesta in Brazil. The days of three hour naps that I have had grown to love and cherish are now taken away from me; I almost cried.

Second, there are no casinos in Brazil. Like none. My friend told me they've been outlawed since like 1980. Another part of me died.

Third topic of concern: food. I easily could have lead with this observation, but if you've read my other posts, you already know that food is number one on my list. And food in Rio is EXPENSIVE! My wallet will definitely suffer :(. However, the portions are HUGE! My stomach will definitely benefit :). In other countries, when they say, "Portion for two", I laugh because usually that can barely feed me. Here in Brazil, when they say, "Portion for two" they should say, "Portion for a small village". It's impressive. My first night that I ate out alone I had to bow my head in shame after I could barely finish half of the food I ordered, and this was after I hadbragged to the waiter about how much I could eat. Ooo one other thing. There are a lot of buffets here in Rio. Yes! However, you have to pay by the kilo...this was my reaction when I figured that out. Here. I mean, it makes sense here, you should pay for the amount of food you eat. I just had gotten so accustomed to beating the system in the United States that paying extra is just so painful. (I know that if they ever implemented this policy in the US, people would riot!)

On to driving. I thought people in Argentina drove badly... I have to do one of two things when I'm in a taxi: Look out the side window at the beautiful scenery or sleep. If I look straight ahead and watch how crazy the taxi driver is driving or at how badly the people are driving around him I get nauseous. There is no regard for lane lines, pedestrians, traffic lights at night, pedestrians (cant stress that enough), or just any kind of patience whatsoever.

Name pronunciation. My name has been pronounced a thousand million billion different ways and it does not bother me at all as long as it's close enough that I know that you're talking to me. In Argentina my name was pronounced Shay-ron May-gin-see. Here so far I've gotten Jeromy Mayo-niece. Eh. Still better than Menendez (for my friends since middle school).

A big personal adjustment for me is adjusting to living in a big city. Im from a relatively small U.S. city, and every city I've played in so far has ranged from VERY small (shout out to Río Tercero) to about a medium-sized city in Corrientes. Río is huge and inhabits almost seven million people! With that comes the fact that everyone moves at a fast pace, traffic, unlimited things to do, noise, and of course unbelievably brave pigeons that think they run the place. One day I was eating lunch and a pigeon had the audacity to run over my foot, stop, and then look at me like it was my fault. Unbelievable.

Let's see what else? Ah yes, both the language barrier and me sticking out like a sore thumb. My Portuguese is improving every day. I'm no longer scared to speak it; I just state that I'm American and I don't speak Portuguese well, then I continue you on speaking.

• That reminds me of something else interesting about Brazil, the racial diversity. People assume I'm Brazilian until I open my mouth. You really can't tell tourists from Brazilians until they speak; which means I only stick out because of my height haha. Again, this might be unique to Rio, but I feel like it is more diverse here than in the USA.

Back to the language. I'm still not sure what people are saying to me when they comment on my height. I can understand when they ask if I play basketball and when they ask how tall I am. After that, I'm not sure. I just smile and nod until they are finished. I have heard every comment there is to make about being tall so I'm sure nothing that they say is original haha.

• Best comment I have ever heard about being tall. I was in high school and I was lifting weights at a gym. I had just finished a set of squats and I turned around and a guy walked up to me, looked me right in the eye and said, "My friend would beat the !@#$ out of you in a limbo contest." Then he walked away like nothing had happened. I'm pretty sure they are not saying anything like that, but soon I will know.

PDAs (Public Displays of Affection). I had noticed that in Argentina couples were more affectionate towards each other than in the United States. Brazil is on a different level. First of all, holding hands is a must. I have yet to see a couple walking together and not hold hands. And they don't let go either; if someone walks between them, they lift their hands over the persons head, they don't let go. But the biggest thing is the kissing. I have seen numerous people have full make out sessions in restaurants, in the middle of the street, in the grocery store, basically everywhere. I have no witty comment to say here, just making an observation.

Lastly, I'll return to a food. Unlike Argentina, I can eat anything I want here at any hour of the day without being strange. In Argentina I used to eat chicken at 5 or 6 before practice and people thought that was the weirdest thing ever. In Brazil I can eat my chicken in peace :)

Pictures to make you jealous that you're not here/give you incentive to come visit!

When

Will

You

Visit?