Friday, December 5
Without Internet to the 3rd
Sorry readers. I have moved for the third time this year and am without internet. It's always a radical experience in Bahia trying to convince technical people to show up and do their technical thing. But have no fear, the saga will continue shortly.
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7 comments:
Leo,
I'm coming to Salvador for a month and wanted to know if I could bounce a couple of questions off of you? I'm a Latin American and Carribean history student at The City College of New York. If that's possible drop me a line at j a r e d r o d a t g m a i l d o t c o m.
Thanks,
Jared
Where is Leo?
It is getting to 11 below zero at night and I want to hear about coconuts and mulattas!
#$%^ snow!
:p
Hello Leo
I just started reading your blog and also follow Rio Gringa's blog. I am from Minnesota, I have been to Brazil 3 times, I speak Portguese and was most recently in Rio for 6 months from February to August of this year. Iar old American who lives in Bahia.
I was really struck by one of your entries for the month of October is called "Hard Realities" which is about about "Why Gringos go home after 6 months," or something of that nature. It is very well written and so incredibly "to the t" in its detail that it made my jaw drop. It really hit home with me because during my most recent stint in Brazil I had decided to say "f*ck it" to my very own "rat race" life in Minnesota and move to Rio. When I go there I was really shocked since I wasn't a foreign exchange student anymore, but was actually trying to live there. I saw how hard it would be for me to make money and have a mentally challenging job or satisfying professional/educational endeavor. I also saw that I had no money to go to the nightclubs I wanted, buy the things I wanted, etc. etc. I tried to stay away from large groups of English speaking, overly touristy American hippie types, and so I couldn't keep up with the lifestyle of the well off, party-going Brazilian friends I chose to surround myself with.
I could have stayed in Rio and gotten a visa through my Brazilian boyfriend Diogo, or I could have continued to teach English and stay illegally, hoping maybe to exit out of Argentina. I didn't want to be linked to a guy I don't love though, and since I work in finance here in the U.S. I am not interested in teaching English as I don't enjoy it or find it that mentally challenging. I like to work with money and numbers and hope to get an MBA in the future. Anyway, I chose to leave Rio and sometimes I really, really regret it and want to just say fuck it again and go back. Other times I think it was necessary and out of my control given what I am looking for in a job and what I was/wasn't willing to sacrifice. Either way, it really bothers me that I left Brazil and I miss Rio so much. I feel so alive in Rio and so dead in the United States. I love Rio, Brazil, Brazilians, and the Portuguese language with all of my heart. I also love a decent job and professional advancement too though, and that is my problem. I am caught between the two in a situation that seems impossible to reconcile or solve. So anyway, I wanted to try to write to you and see what your take on this "leaving Rio and missing it" thing is about. Have you ever left Brazil for a long period of time, been in the States, missed it so much and then come back? Also, was it a hard decision for you to stay beyond the 6 months? Do you ever feel unchallenged or unsatisfied with your life in Brazil and wish you had access to what I see as the more "mentally challenging" or "lucrative" opportunities the U.S. offers, (e.g. educational and professional advancement). Do you ever wish for a different life there or do you just sort of accept it and enjoy it? I hope you understand what I am trying to ask you. I a just wondering if I should sacrifice a lot of what I want out of life go back to Rio, the place that I love so much, or if I should just wait until graduate school and try to work there after finishing grad school. But even then, outside of oil I don't know what opportunities exist for Americans in Rio. I think most of the opportunities exist in Sao Paulo. What about in Bahia? Have you ever met any Americans working as sponsored employees at a corporation down there and if so, what were they doing? I would really appreciate your insight. I enjoy your blog. Please get back to me soon if you can! My email is anne.e.billion@gmail.com Thanks! Oh, and if anyone else that reads this blog has suggestions for my American money/professional advancement versus Brazilian spirit and feeling of being alive and what I should try or do I would really appreciate that too! Feel free to email me or post on this blog! : )
Hello Leo
I just started reading your blog and also follow Rio Gringa's blog. I am from Minnesota, I have been to Brazil 3 times, I speak Portguese and was most recently in Rio for 6 months from February to August of this year.
I was really struck by one of your entries for the month of October is called "Hard Realities" which is about about "Why Gringos go home after 6 months," or something of that nature. It is very well written and so incredibly "to the t" in its detail that it made my jaw drop. It really hit home with me because during my most recent stint in Brazil I had decided to say "f*ck it" to my very own "rat race" life in Minnesota and move to Rio. When I go there I was really shocked since I wasn't a foreign exchange student anymore, but was actually trying to live there. I saw how hard it would be for me to make money and have a mentally challenging job or satisfying professional/educational endeavor. I also saw that I had no money to go to the nightclubs I wanted, buy the things I wanted, etc. etc. I tried to stay away from large groups of English speaking, overly touristy American hippie types, and so I couldn't keep up with the lifestyle of the well off, party-going Brazilian friends I chose to surround myself with.
I could have stayed in Rio and gotten a visa through my Brazilian boyfriend Diogo, or I could have continued to teach English and stay illegally, hoping maybe to exit out of Argentina. I didn't want to be linked to a guy I don't love though, and since I work in finance here in the U.S. I am not interested in teaching English as I don't enjoy it or find it that mentally challenging. I like to work with money and numbers and hope to get an MBA in the future. Anyway, I chose to leave Rio and sometimes I really, really regret it and want to just say fuck it again and go back. Other times I think it was necessary and out of my control given what I am looking for in a job and what I was/wasn't willing to sacrifice. Either way, it really bothers me that I left Brazil and I miss Rio so much. I feel so alive in Rio and so dead in the United States. I love Rio, Brazil, Brazilians, and the Portuguese language with all of my heart. I also love a decent job and professional advancement too though, and that is my problem. I am caught between the two in a situation that seems impossible to reconcile or solve. So anyway, I wanted to try to write to you and see what your take on this "leaving Rio and missing it" thing is about. Have you ever left Brazil for a long period of time, been in the States, missed it so much and then come back? Also, was it a hard decision for you to stay beyond the 6 months? Do you ever feel unchallenged or unsatisfied with your life in Brazil and wish you had access to what I see as the more "mentally challenging" or "lucrative" opportunities the U.S. offers, (e.g. educational and professional advancement). Do you ever wish for a different life there or do you just sort of accept it and enjoy it? I hope you understand what I am trying to ask you. I a just wondering if I should sacrifice a lot of what I want out of life go back to Rio, the place that I love so much, or if I should just wait until graduate school and try to work there after finishing grad school. But even then, outside of oil I don't know what opportunities exist for Americans in Rio. I think most of the opportunities exist in Sao Paulo. What about in Bahia? Have you ever met any Americans working as sponsored employees at a corporation down there and if so, what were they doing? I would really appreciate your insight. I enjoy your blog. Please get back to me soon if you can! My email is anne.e.billion@gmail.com Thanks! Oh, and if anyone else that reads this blog has suggestions for my American money/professional advancement versus Brazilian spirit and feeling of being alive and what I should try or do I would really appreciate that too! Feel free to email me or post on this blog! : )
Michelle...I am back, albeit slowly. Got internet hooked up this last weekend and am waiting for the wave of inspiration to take hold. Should be more coconut flavored posts soon. ;- )
Anne...what a reply this is! Helps doesn't it, getting it out on the page. Somehow gets it out of the system, though I can't say how.
This deserves a proper response. I'll get back to you soon my fellow gringa with the divided heart.
Leo, I would like to leave a comment to Anne if I may, my friend.
Anne you have such a good head on your shoulders, so don't beat yourself up about not being able to do, what you want to do 'right now' in Brasil. We as Americans have so much of a 'now' mentality.
You are young, what 23, 25? Take the short time that it will take to finish your MBA and you will make yourself far more valuable to a company than you are now. And frankly just to have your Bachelor degree ain't bad either. Brasil was there before us, and will be there long after we are gone. You have plenty of time to come back to her, (Brasil).
You've already learned to speak Brasilian Portuguese. You know, love, and respect the culture which already puts you far in front of the other Gringo competition out there looking for a life in Brasil. Forget all the negatives and concentrate on all your positives.
As far as men are concerned in Brasil or anywhere else for that matter, they are like buses. If you miss one, wait a little while, another one will pass your way.
You know as a pre MBA student that Brasil's economy is such a diverse one, ready to explode onto the international scene. (Hey! maybe that could be your major at grad school, international finance with a minor in south american commerce). The point is, some people would die to be in your position.
Here are some facts I do know about employment in Brasil:
1) You can teach english.
2) You can take a job with a Brasilian company and get a pay rate and benefits that are common with Brasilian pay scales and benefits.
3)You can take a job from an American or European company with the same pay scales as your US counterparts in the states, only you will be in Brasil, with per/diem, travel expenses, health/dental insurance, 401, bonuses,living expenses etc, ect,... You get the picture.
And not being able to go to certain clubs with friends? Sounds to me they are way to bourgeois, anyway. I have found that the neighborhood (barrio) joints are far more culturaly correct and fun anyway. They play Samba de Morro, Forro or 'musica de Brasil' instead of that western electro crap, with out the 33 Reis cover charge. And at some places I've been the 'festa' (party) was outside the establishment! To top it off, you get one hell of a churrasco and a cold beer for 7 to 10 Reis, intead of 35 to 65 Reis. And you make contact with 'real' people who will help you with things that are 'really' important.
I hope this helps.
Hello Jazztech
I just wrote a very long response which I accidentally deleted. That sucks. I just checked today to see if anyone had responded. I thought maybe people would think I'm crazy or over the top. Its good to know there is another free spirited Brazil enthusiast who understands. Are there any online communities for Brazil lovers? If you know Leo or Jazztech, please pass along that information to me.
Also, thank you for all of the encouraging information Jazztech. It really did make me feel better. I just turned 25 and it was hard to know that I could have spent my birthday in Brazil rather than the subzero Minnesota winter. However, I think you make good points. Its hard to strike a balance between the spirit and joie de vie of Brazil and the economic opportunities of the States. And as Americans we do have an instant gratification mentality. I'm at a crux in life now. I was able to get a job a few months ago despite the economy being in the tank and I've just finished paying off some debt I accumulated in Brazil. I am faced with the choice of moving out and staying here for 3 or 4 months so that I can get away from my dysfunctional, noisy family (long story) and research my future options in peace and quiet, or just taking off to Brazil before Carnaval of this year and risking a "repeat" situation of last year's unsatisfactory attempt at Brazil. I know I'll get back there sooner or later though. I just wish it weren't so one sided. As cheesy as this may sound, I really do feel that Brazil is economically bankrupt but spiritually and culturally very alive, while the United States is spiritually and culturally dead and economically (well, relative to Brazil at least) fairly alive. I wish there weren't so many hoops to jump through before myself and others could enjoy the best of both worlds. It just seems like such a cruel dichotomy....anyway, Jazztech or Leo, please do let me know if you know of any Brazil communities...until then, I'll continue to read and share my thoughts on this blog. Thanks! : )
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