New Experiences, and an Early Rise.
Brazilian Alarm Clocks
I've learned Brazil is full of parrots – pretty cool, eh? Well, I've also learned that the entire parrot population of Brazil congregates in the tree just outside my bedroom window each morning at about 5am. I can only assume they're chattering-on about the previous day's adventures, as well as those to come. Judging by the volume, they all have a lot to say – and they do it in a simultaneous concert of chaos.
This would all be much more tolerable, if I could actually see them. These are small green parrots in a big green tree – they are functionally invisible. Little ninjas delivering a mandatory 5am wake-up call each morning.
I managed to glimpse two of them one day, as I walked down the street. I heard the chattering I've come to hate know so well, and looked up to see a pair of them zoom by overhead. I gave them the finger, but I think it was an english finger – I've yet to learn how to give the finger in portuguese. I'll keep trying.
A Trip to the Mall
"They have malls, Eóin?! No way..."
Relax, I won't go on about the malls. I just wanted to mention three things I found interesting.
One: Nice restaurants and bars inside the middle of the mall.
Not like a spot on the outside of the mall, where you'd go get a bite after an afternoon of shopping, but really nice restaurants and bars right in the middle – lots of them! Mind-you, this was one of the biggest malls I've ever seen, with about six floors of stores, but it's still cool to see.
Two: Massage table/chair things in little kiosks.
You know those massage chairs with the face hole that you sit in / kneel on and get a neck/back massage? They have those in the middle of the hallway for quick little massages! They're super cheap and – coming from someone with a bad back – they are amazing.
Three: Mini cars you can rent for your kids to drive around in!
I'll be honest, this is the main reason I'm mentioning the mall. It's the coolest thing I've ever seen – and I've seen a squirrel riding a dog.
As far as I'm told, the kid can control the car completely, or the adult can override with a remote control. I suppose this is in case they head towards an escalator, or in case you'd like to freak the little bugger out. Either way, I look forward to taking my niece to the mall this week.
The Markets
Wherever you go in the world, you'll find all kinds of markets. I've always found them one of the most interesting parts about travelling. So many new smells, sounds, and traditions, all packed into one chaotic mess of lovely people.
So far, I've been to two markets here – they were both quite similar, so I won't bother comparing them. Plus, I hadn't decided to write this blog when we went to the first one, so I didn't take many pictures. But I did at the next one...
I'll start with the fruits and vegetables. They have soooo many kinds I've never seen, smelled, or heard of! Not only that, but they have variations on some we have in Canada and Ireland that I didn't know were possible. Have you ever heard of a green orange? A ripe one, I mean, not one that isn't ready to be harvested.
Mangoes. I was told I’d like the Brazilian ones before I came – and I was pumped. Years ago, I met someone from South America who was telling me about the Mangoes. She said I didn't know a good mango until I had one that needed to be eaten over a sink. I can now report that she was not exaggerating. Not only that, but did you know that there are a ton of different types of mangoes?! They all taste a little different and they are all incredible.
The one on the far right is the kind you likely know – the others are my new loves.
Then there's the street food. Every market has a few stalls that sell a selection of traditional Brazilian offerings, but the most common one is Pastel (Pass-tay-oh). It's a deep fired flat pastry pocket that they fill with all kinds of stuff – both salty and sweet. I've had a few now, but my favourite was the one with chicken, ham, cheese, egg, and corn.
The man running the food stall had a jar of hot sauce that I went to try. As I added a dollop, he and another man yelled at me in Portuguese. My wife translated that it was very hot and I should be careful. They weren't lying... I added more with no regrets. He was so happy I liked it that he gave me a small jar to take home, on my way to the hospital.
I was going to tell you about more of the food, but this post is long enough already. I'll write that one up shortly. Until then, I will say that it's going to be difficult, as a non food blogger, to describe one of the best meals of my life. [Update: That post is here]
My new wife may leave me if I don't stop talking about that meal... maybe writing about it will get it out of my head...
Little stacks of limes. Brazilians call them lemons, and they call lemons limes. I think they might be trying to screw with me...
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