Reflections from Brazil - Week 4

• Avoid calling home during American Idol. After 2 attempts of a busy phone line I was greeted by #003 in my ear and my Mother asking what I was doing on the phone line while she was voting for American Idol? 
• Most Bees in Brasil don’t sting. Thank God! In the Sangria bottling plant bees were hanging out everywhere but their hive. Bees made a home in my hair, face, ears, and up my dress.
• Engagement is a bit different here. Couples start with commitment rings on their right hand (for several years) then move the ring to the left hand after marriage.
• If you set your purse on the floor the music stops. At restaurants they provide an extra chair for your purse. Brazilians claim a purse on the ground brings a bad financial future.
• Will travel with TP. Finding TP in a public bathroom is like striking gold. 
• A left turn in Brazil doesn’t exist. A Michigan turn back (aka round about) plus 1 mile or 2 is the Brazil round about.
• Eating massive amounts of fruit makes you feel like you’re wearing a permanent fur coat on your teeth.
• You can get kicked out of a bar for drinking beer from a bottle. Everything is served in a glass. No sipping PBR in a can here.
• It’s customary to pay a street person to “watch” your car while it’s parked. They refer to public parking as their lot and direct traffic like it’s their job.