Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers
For Sale

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Back ‘home’

It is time to write about my return to Brasil.  I have been here for a week and am just starting to get over my usual identity – cultural – confusion, a minor crisis.  After driving in the US for two months; wide open roads, huge parking lots and traffic rules (basically) followed, and shopping where more than one cart (or person) can pass down an isle at a time, and being where no one walks on the streets - even in downtown Houston, coming back to Brasil is always a shock to my system. 
DSC_28740010This last week was an extra challenge to drive and to walk in Nova Friburgo.  Before I left the streets were already clogged with cars and people but now, after the sense of space you get in the US, I’ve felt claustrophobic.  In Brasil, everyone receives a 13th salary, an extra months wages, in November / December.  Just in time for Christmas shopping and paying year end taxes.  It is normal for there to be a lot of people on the streets in December, but it seems that this year it is extremely bad.  A byproduct of the good economy?  Whether on foot or in the car, darting and dashing to avoid those who seem to stop for no reason, talk on their cells in the middle of the sidewalk, park wherever it is convenient for them.
The election of the last mayor (Prefeito) was based on his promise to improve the transit in Friburgo.  The government changed some street directions, made a few more one-ways with parking only on one side.  More parking lots with exorbitant hourly rates, actually with 30 minute rates when you can’t do anything in less than 1 hour, have popped out and, last but not least, they hired a consulting firm – a private transit company – to find the solutions that they have not been able to find and still be re-elected.  But this last week it was abundantly clear that nothing is solving the problems.    Cars were still double and triple parked, flashers flashing because everyone knows that if you put your flashers on it is okay to park anywhere you want and block all other transit.   My 15 minutes from the house to my appointment took well over an hour – not to mentioned the drive home.   Yes, I could take the bus, the one that was stuck in the traffic right in front of me..... The one that is so full of people coming in from the countryside that there was room only to hang from the rafters .... The bus / company that is owned  by the mayor and his family? 
Yes, I could.   I am not sure though that this would help me feel better during this transition period between the US and Brasil.  I am suffering culture shock – plain and simple.

7 comments:

  1. I can say I so know what you mean since I returned from Korea visiting my son on his teaching stint. I almost felt Korean, was dreaming in Korean. Don't miss so much cabbage, but miss my son.

    From reading your posts lately, it sounds like you came through my neck of the woods. :)

    Hope you are doing wonderful and are happy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really hope Brasil moves forward with goo city planning. Houston is an abomination!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, Houston has a low density use within the city, tremendous urban sprawl, and a lack of pedestrian-friendliness. This creates unbearable traffic, obesity, car dependency and unsafe streets.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I understand completely. I don't know if what I call transition (interesting that you use the same word) sickness happens to everyone after they have visited their homeland but I get it after every time I go home to Australia and my son got it for the first time when he returned to Brazil after his recent visit home. In the mid 90s it got so bad I returned home for a few years! I accept it now and wait for it to pass - it always does! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, back to Paradise! Motorcycle taxis have taken over our town. Horror stories you won't believe.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'll bet you have culture shock in both directions. Despite the traffic, I'd love to wander the streets of Nova Fiburgo. I've been out of touch with my blog friends for awhile and good to see your blog again.

    ReplyDelete