Friday, January 26, 2007

It is impossible not to compare

At school, according to Anthropology, I learned not to compare two different cultures (ethnocentrism). We are constantly reminded that "there is no better culture, they are just different". At the same time I agree with the concept, I have to say I enjoy observing different cultures, and it is impossible for me not to compare them.
For example, let´s just take US and Brazil.
In USA, things are organized or at least they try to have an order. In Brazil everything seem to be in a perfect chaos. In US, the traffic rolls, there is signage and people are educated, there is a system that enforces that. In Brazil, the traffic is messy, there is lack of signage, bad planning and uneducate drivers. It can be brutal to drive in the streets of Rio.
Politics, well that is a rough subject for me. In US it seems like the politics, for worse they are, and all the bad decisions they make, at least it seems like they are doing it for the improvement of the system, with an ideal. Personally trying to make history. In Brazil they don´t give a fuck for history, they want to make sure their families get money enough for the next ten generations. Who cares if there is more kids at the streets and crime when you can have a nice vacation trip to a heavenly beach anywhere in the world.
Americans complain when they have the right and bring home left overs from the restaurant. Brazilians do not want to waist time complaining and they think it is tacky to bring food home in a box.
The American Home is clean and practical. The Brazilan homes are cleaned by the maid, who also cooks and and iron the clothes. American Clothes are dried by the drier and the Brazilian clothes are just hung at the sun.
Kids leave their houses by the time they get into University or start working, average age 17, 18 years old in USA. Kids in Brazil leave home when they get married, around 30. In US people, in general, do not like family reunions. In Brazil people are very family oriented.
In USA people register to vote, in Brazil voting is mandatory.
Americans are uncoordinated but they are successful in sports because of good incentive and support. Brazilians are naturally strong but unfortunately there is lack of support and investment.
Americans love to segregate and classify. Brazilians don´t care about classifying and love to agregate.
American women value titiiisss!!! Brazilian women go for Asssss!
In USA, kids kill other kids in school because of mockery and difference. In Brazil kids commit a crime because they are hungry.
Americans work hard and party till 2am, Brazilians work hard and party all night long.
Americans love to get sick. They have sick day leave at work. Brazilians don´t get sick.
Two different cultures and lifestyles. I can´t see which is better. They are just different.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Angra dos Reis










Close to Heaven



This past weekend, we went to my father´s house in Angra dos Reis.
It is not really his house. It is place where he is living temporarily with co-workers while working on this new Project. I believe they are building the P-51, an Oil Extraction and Processing Platform.
Angra is 2 hours drive south of Rio, located right at the coast. The city itself is pretty uninteresting, however, the islands and beaches around are gorgeous. Day trips on fishermen´s boats are mandatory.
The weekend was awesome!
My cousins were there and they are a joy to hang out with. Those are the moments I miss the most when I am away, the family reunions.
The house was also phenomenal. It sits at a mountain overlooking the bay, surrounded by so much green. It is huge with big spacious rooms. It has sauna, pool, barbecue area. Many celebrities have houses in the same area. It is a real treat to one´s soul.