We treat our hammock outside as one more place to sit while we watch TV. And people typically do not have drying machines for their clothes. After washing, we hang our clothes on a clothesline to dry.
Brazil's environment is also truly beautiful, from the beaches to the mountains. At home we would drive hours to go camping. Here, there are amazing views and opportunities to explore nature almost everywhere. I have also noticed that people reuse and recycle materials more often in Brazil than they do in the United States. For example, my mother-in-law reuses plastic bags and paper towels. Also, my daughter's teacher showed the kids how to make a Pinocchio doll from recycled cardboard.
Some things were also different than I expected. For instance, my city, Belo Horizonte, is nearly as busy, as full of traffic, and as loud as Washington, DC. But even though the city is busy and full of people, there is a different, slower, feeling living in Belo Horizonte than in Washington, DC. I have had to learn to slow down, relax and chat with people everywhere I go. For example, at home I might have gone into a deli, asked for a turkey club sandwich and waited quietly and played on my phone while they made it. Here, I go inside, ask how the chef is doing, tell them about my day, and then order or maybe ask for a recommendation of what to order. The chef and I keep chatting while he makes the sandwich.
It is great to be living somewhere that matches many of the descriptions people gave me before I came to Brazil And I love that I am challenged here every day in terms of my own perspectives on life!
