The place I left behind

Nancy, who has a fantastic blog, asked me where do I come from. I thought I had already mentioned it, but I am aware that, if I did, it was just a quick note. Stupid me.

I come from South America. From Brazil, to be exact. Born there, 57 years ago.

Brazil is a huge country. It has beauty and wonders to take one's breath away! It also has poverty, misery, hunger, tons of corruption, and nastiness enough to take one's breath away just the same! In a different sad way.

In Brazil, we do not speak Spanish. This seems to have been a constant misunderstanding that I experienced here. I cannot count the times when someone asked me "Hablas Español?", as soon as I said I was Brazilian. We speak Portuguese over there.

The state where I was born is located south east of the country. It has the shape of a witch's profile. Serious. I mean it. A big nosed witch.  It is called Minas Gerais, which means "General Mines".

See what I mean? A witch! With hairs sticking out of her nostrils. The mean old broad! Just like me.

The state is a large source of minerals, from precious and semi-precious stones, to iron, manganese and what else. That's the reason for it's name.

The city where I come from is the capital of the state. Belo Horizonte. A big city. Lovely from one perspective, developed, fast paced but still interesting and relatively safe. From another point of view, it is noisy, dirty, polluted (!) and crowded. I would say that it is just like any other 2.4 million people large city in the world.

(I inform that these pictures were found on the net. They do not belong to me. I could not find their owners, and in case someone is upset by the fact that I borrowed them, I will delete them immediately.)

The people from my state are usually quiet, shy at first contact, but trusting and loyal as they get to know you. They tend to look at you or, as they say here, "put an eyeball on you" as if they were suspicious at first. As soon as they figure you are one of the good ones, you are accepted for life.

Weather wise, temperatures are mostly nice, humidity is low enough for it to be bearable, even in the peak of summer. Providing there is a little shade, mind me. It took me a long time to get used to the high level of humidity during our summers here, in Arkansas!

As I said before - and that I remember doing - my father was Austrian and my mom is Portuguese descendant. From her side of the family, we had lots of uncles and aunts. The cousins are still there, I hope. From my father's side, there was only one uncle who died too soon.

Brazilians, as I see them, are a very relaxed type of people, mild in general and rarely bullies. Please note that I am talking about a Brazil of twelve years ago, which is the length of time I have been away. I do hope they did not change.

The population, if one could look from above, is a mix of all races and colours. All creeds and nationalities. A big pot!

Before I came to this country, I had seldom thought about the colour of the skin of my friends, co-workers and people in general. I had my own taste and idea of a husband, or boyfriend, but not in an aggressive manner. It does not mean that there is no racial prejudice there. It does exist.

Brazilians are hard working people, believe me. But they love beer, beaches, soccer, Formula I, and Carnival.

Brazilians are not ashamed of their bodies and we do wear thongs at the beaches. Oh, yes! Those, where our butt cheeks are all exposed! Over there, we call those bikinis "dental floss"... guess why.

I had my time. I wore mine too, when I was young. The one problem about them is, if you are wondering, the fact that one cannot - I mean CANNOT - fart with that thing tight up to your... you know what!