CARUMBA! We're not in Kansas Anymore!

The two words that we hear from Randy - every day - "That's odd!"  Major understatement!

The first weeks we were here I felt like I was in a daze maze.  I was so distracted one morning that I accidentally popped Randy's pills instead of my own.    Geez.   I kind of panicked for a minute but then I thought maybe it would be a good thing -
 I could be more focused, alert or stimulated?  

But no, there were no side effects.  Oh well.

A good rule here for us is to not assume ANYTHING! 

Just a few examples: 

Don't assume that just because it's a one way street,
that there won't be a car going the other way~

Don't assume something that looks like ground beef is actually ground beef~

 Don't assume that when you sit down at a random computer
that a website will come up in English~
or that you'll be able to navigate the keyboard!

Don't assume all toilets will accept toilet paper~

Don't assume that because the grocery store has a product this week,
that you will find it next week~

Do not assume you can just run to Home Depot to pick up a few supplies~

and don't assume that your water heater, toaster and stove can't share a wall outlet, 

because they can, and do, without an extension cord!

Don't assume that it's polite to eat with your hands, i.e. chicken legs, pizza? Really?

A sandwich, maybe, but don't assume you can just go to Subway and order what you want.
You have to have a good Port. vocabulary for that~

Don't assume that your sarcasm will be understood and/or appreciated~


Don't assume you can have a simple conversation~

One day I was in the apartment alone.  A repair guy came in to see what what we needed.  I had emailed a list of 6-8 things that needed attention to the facilities manager, who speaks English.  So this little guy has a list of 4 things he wanted to confirm, written in Portuguese.   I don't know what was on the list so I just took him through and with sign language, tried to show and explain.  He just kept talking and talking and talking and because I picked up a few words, I guess he thought I would eventually "get it".  I understood that he would come back tomorrow and bring a ladder and do something.   He wanted to use a phone to speak to someone else and I didn't have one at the time.   Beyond his nodding and acting like he understood, I had no idea what to expect the next day!  He had A LOT to say about how things work in the apartment and in Brazil and seriously, on and on and on.   He was there for a long time.  I knew I couldn't just push him out the door.
Thankfully he was pleasant and I just nodded and smiled.  

Then shook my head no and smiled.  I'm sure I looked as ridiculous as I felt. 

 I was soooo relieved when he finally left.

Because I didn't have a phone yet, I emailed my husband.
 I tearfully described the difficult experience.
 I did not have a clue about what would happen in the apartment the next day.  

I had been told by the manager that I didn't need to be there. 

 Thank goodness.  But what would we come home to?

This is the email response from Craig:

Patiencia minha espousa.  This isn´t Kansas.  We will probably get a new couch and kitchen table instead.

Craig

For some reason that I cannot explain, 

I was immediately filled with relief and love and gratitude for his sympathetic response,

and we had a good laugh later. 

This reminded me of how I got here  8)

Thought for the day?

It's what you learn after you know it all, that counts.