I've been super busy the past few days. I moved out of the apartment I was staying with in central São Paulo into another apartments in the Jardins area. This is near Avenida Paulista, the epitome of what São Paulo looks and feels like. Lots of people walking around, rushing from place to place. I don't mind the frenetic energy.
My apartment is on the 12th floor, apartment 123. Hah. I have several roommate but I have my own room and bathroom: one Swede, one Japanese, two Spaniards, and I think two brasileiras. We just share the kitchen and living room. Everyone keeps to themselves which is weird and creepy to me. I've always been a fan of getting to know the people I'm living with and at least having small talk. But... whatever....
I finally settled in last night and unpacked everything. I brought with me wayyy too much shit. That always happens though right? My view looks out onto the surrounding area and I imagine an apartment in NYC would have a similar view. But... that also means I hear so much traffic noise. Thank goodness for music and ear plugs! To be honest, I'm paying a pretty penny for this place and it's still not up to my standards. I mean, as a US American, I am already super Type A(nal) and high maintenance. And this is the best São Paulo has to offer me? I know, I've been a super trooper so far but I think I'm just so frustrated I'm going to give in and release some bitchy energy; you can only fake it with a smile for so long.
I'm still reeling from yesterday evening's debacle. So I successfully maneuvered my way on two trains to get back to my neighborhood. And then.... I somehow mistakenly forgot where my street was. It was raining and wet and dark and it took me an hour and a half to get home!!
Long story short - I probably won't ever leave the US after this Brazil trip. I'd only travel for a short period of time with family or friends, but I will not do an extended stay like this. So.... better take it all in now, right?
Interesting observations:
(1) Motorcyclists here zip right on through traffic. They simply honk to the cars to let them know they're there. They'd get so much shit in the US for that, I think.
(2) "Bureaucrazy": remember my fiasco with the Consulate's Office in obtaining my visa? Well now that I'm here, they'd like me to repeat a similar process to be a registered alien. RIDICULOUS. So over it. I will NEVER return to Brasil after this insanity, not even for an international clinical rotation.
Sources for photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201329116773311.1073741830.1334894788&type=1&l=7a58a507a7
instagram.com/hmqd
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