I don't know if anyone is actually reading this on a regular basis or if they are just passing through, but in any case, I am sorry I have been MIA for so long. That stomach bug or whatever it is that I had/have was enough to wipe any writing energy right out of me.
I went to the doctor as planned last Friday, was asked a bunch of questions, given two medications - one antibiotic for something unrelated to my stomach, and something that would absolutely stop my stomach pains and make me feel better. Unfortunately in addition to that, the doc ordered two tests - an abdominal ultrasound (done, and my organs are all fine), and an endoscopy, to happen tomorrow. She said, in order not to mask the true issue, don't take the stomach medicine until after you have the endoscopy. Well shucks, it will have cured itself by then, I said. But, as she explained, it would take the purpose out of the exams to cover up whatever problem I have with some medication. At least this way maybe they can see what's going on.
In the meantime, a lot has been happening in the streets of Rio. A lot of my Brazilian friends on Facebook are posting their opinions, leaving comments, sharing pictures of the police violence, a policeman friend is posting pictures and articles about attacks on police officers. It's a lot to take in for someone who, to be honest, doesn't know much about the history of the country she's living in, and who has only been here for three months. (Psst...that's me.) I won't pretend to know what's going on, what's going to happen, or even which side is right (probably both, a little).
I do know the following: I hate the bureaucracy here. I hate that any kind of service I've encountered in my first months here has been unreliable and inefficient. I hate that these smart, amazing people I meet, most of whom have college educations, make such low salaries in this country. Skilled people, like professors and policemen and lawyers and people who work in IT. I hate that there are so many homeless people everywhere (not because they're bothering me, but because I come from a place where even the "homeless people" are wearing nice Steelers jackets and have someplace to sleep at night and somewhere to get a good, free meal).
I imagine it's hard to grow up with this, but you know what else is hard? Coming from a place where everything works perfectly, and then seeing a place where nothing works well, and the people doing nothing about it and nobody making any effort to change it. I can't tell you how many times I told someone what happened and they shrug and laugh and say, "That's Brazil!" Sure, it's Brazil, but maybe it shouldn't be.
But who knows what will happen now? I doubt this movement will make Ponto Frio deliver and assemble their orders on time, but I can live with that if the good people around me finally get some of the breaks that they deserve. (That was tongue-in-cheek - please don't think I am so shallow:-). I'm excited to see what happens between now and the World Cup. Maybe a lot... or maybe nothing. I don't know enough to really have an opinion.
Brazil, I wish you only the best. Especially since for all intents and purposes...I'm one of you now.
I went to the doctor as planned last Friday, was asked a bunch of questions, given two medications - one antibiotic for something unrelated to my stomach, and something that would absolutely stop my stomach pains and make me feel better. Unfortunately in addition to that, the doc ordered two tests - an abdominal ultrasound (done, and my organs are all fine), and an endoscopy, to happen tomorrow. She said, in order not to mask the true issue, don't take the stomach medicine until after you have the endoscopy. Well shucks, it will have cured itself by then, I said. But, as she explained, it would take the purpose out of the exams to cover up whatever problem I have with some medication. At least this way maybe they can see what's going on.
In the meantime, a lot has been happening in the streets of Rio. A lot of my Brazilian friends on Facebook are posting their opinions, leaving comments, sharing pictures of the police violence, a policeman friend is posting pictures and articles about attacks on police officers. It's a lot to take in for someone who, to be honest, doesn't know much about the history of the country she's living in, and who has only been here for three months. (Psst...that's me.) I won't pretend to know what's going on, what's going to happen, or even which side is right (probably both, a little).
I do know the following: I hate the bureaucracy here. I hate that any kind of service I've encountered in my first months here has been unreliable and inefficient. I hate that these smart, amazing people I meet, most of whom have college educations, make such low salaries in this country. Skilled people, like professors and policemen and lawyers and people who work in IT. I hate that there are so many homeless people everywhere (not because they're bothering me, but because I come from a place where even the "homeless people" are wearing nice Steelers jackets and have someplace to sleep at night and somewhere to get a good, free meal).
I imagine it's hard to grow up with this, but you know what else is hard? Coming from a place where everything works perfectly, and then seeing a place where nothing works well, and the people doing nothing about it and nobody making any effort to change it. I can't tell you how many times I told someone what happened and they shrug and laugh and say, "That's Brazil!" Sure, it's Brazil, but maybe it shouldn't be.
But who knows what will happen now? I doubt this movement will make Ponto Frio deliver and assemble their orders on time, but I can live with that if the good people around me finally get some of the breaks that they deserve. (That was tongue-in-cheek - please don't think I am so shallow:-). I'm excited to see what happens between now and the World Cup. Maybe a lot... or maybe nothing. I don't know enough to really have an opinion.
Brazil, I wish you only the best. Especially since for all intents and purposes...I'm one of you now.
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