It gets better as you go...

Well the first day of interviewing was Monday. And far from being a good experience, it ended up changing the focus of my project. I discovered (better now than later) that me being female makes random interviews of vendors hard because so many of them are male. I went out at night because that is when the town really starts waking up and hit the main tourist drag. I had a decent discussion with one guy but far less than decent discussions with a couple others that necessitated me leaving for the night. Needless to say the first experience was less than what I had hoped, but I talked with my (awesome!) advisor and decided to change the topic a little so that I can focus on women vendors. We will see how it goes, but this time around I am more excited.

In my attempts to send some messages back to the US (aka postcards) I was informed by the post office that the postcards I had would cost over 60 reais to mail. I love you all but I didn't want to choose who would get them (plus the lady wasn't very friendly) so I left. Maybe I can give you a really pretty postcard when I get back instead.

My new favorite food is frozen pureed mango. It comes in these little pouches that you are supposed to mix with either juice or milk, but Frances and I buy them, cut off the corner, and eat them as popsicles. It is deliciously fruity and though everyone invariably looks at us like we are crazy when we eat it plain, it is definitely worth it.

And despite being in VERY different places when we are in the US (Virginia vs Oregon) Frances and I are finding out we actually have a ton in common otherwise. In terms of family and music and thoughts on religion, politics, etc. Plus the whole public health thing and where we maybe want to go with that. It is pretty neat, though it makes for a little less sleeping than might be optimal some nights.

It is really fun to sit in the internet cafe and listen to people call home. So far I have heard German, Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese (huge surprise) and Russian. AND the Internet cafe people have become our friends. So have the people who own the restaurant across the street where there is some delicious comida-a-kilo (with GREEN vegetables.) And in terms of comida a kilo I learned that the weight of the food on the plate is different depending on where the lettuce is. A CRUCIAL discovery as I can now get a fabulous lunch for 3 reais. It is all in the lettuce. If the tomatoes and heavy things go on top of the lettuce the cost decreases in a huge way. I plan to write a book and teach such secrets to the Brazilian population (although since it involves lettuce there may be a lack of people using such tricks.)

Above: The gorgeous beach that created my nasty burn which still persists in areas. The ocean is looking a little malevolent, usually it appears much bluer.