Brazilian Birthday and BBQ

Today I watched a movie, bought groceries, went to church, got lost near the Favela, (slums) and attended a Brazilian BBQ and Birthday. 

The End of The Road, or The World? 

WHEW. I'm exhausted. 

The most exciting part of course was the BBQ, where I ate my weight in beans and rice and got a lot of questions about my vegetarianism -
While vegetarianism isn't unheard of here in Brazil, it's certainly not common and often people express concerns for my health and emotional well being. I can assure any of you with doubts: I am so, so SO happy, in general, but especially in Brazil, and not at risk of anything because of my diet. -

Forever connected <3

Despite the meat, these BBQ's are one of my favorite parts of Brazilian culture. Following the matriarch, it's typical on Sundays and holidays for nuclear families to travel to grandmas house to consume a *ginormous* meal. Typical foods include chicken, steak, pork, and the aforementioned beans. But the part I really enjoy is the LOUD conversation, music, laughter and sleeping that follows. Every Brazilian family I've met here seems so insistent upon maintaining a close relationship with their cousins, and it's really more than nice, it feels like love.

While in the U.S. it's not uncommon for weeks or months to pass without sending a, "life-signal" to your more distant relatives, here that phenomenon doesn't seem to exist. Family's manage stay connected across city, state, and country boarders daily without hesitation. Really utilizing modern technology no one's ever forgotten - it's really sweet. 

If I had the Life expectancy of a mayfly, I would've lived a really great life today... Here it is in chronological order : 

Before Church we stopped at the Grocery store, which is mostly the same here. The only thing I noticed is  that a person checks your recite to ensure you're not stealing anything on the way out.

I've been going to church at an "american"school, but of course you can tell it's not truly american - there's no football field! Only soccer.

There was traffic so we took a different course home, I wouldn't take a picture of the favela except as we speed away in the car, it's not such a safe place. 

This is a Feira, or a market to buy fresh produce. They pop up all over the city on various days of the week and are really cute and the fruits are really good. 

The people of São Paulo have very mixed opinions about the abundance of graffiti in their city. One the one hand some of it is gang signs. On the other hand, a lot of it really brightens up the concrete jungle... this elephant I really enjoyed on our way to:  

 The aforementioned São Benardo'en  BBQ!! 

While I was there these Brazilian Boys tried to teach me a lot of slang or " Gíria"

I can now say "Mano, eai suave, de boa é nois" 

I don't know what it means...

But I can say it !!  

Convincing me to try weird grapes 

I wish I could sit up there like this cat and just watch and listen to this beautiful neighborhood. 

And Because all good things must come to an end... my candid:

 "Tchau!"