Yep, that’s me. For a while I was also being called “Jackie Chan.” When I asked, “isn’t this a Chinese martial artist?” everyone nodded. (For the record, see my picture under My Research . . . I don’t look like – nor do I have the moves of – Jackie Chan.)
Since I’ve been in Portel my posts have been irregular. That’s because the internet connection here is, uh, sporadic. I shouldn’t complain, really, I remember waiting for letters (!) in Kenya. I am on a quest to get a modem. So far, this has involved a trip to the store where I can get one, a trip home to get documents, a trip back to the store with said documents, a trip home to get more documents, a trip back to the store with said additional documents, a trip home to wait, a trip to the store to check on the progress, a trip home to wait . . . You get the point.
In my experience, in the U.S. you can usually throw money at a problem. Don’t have a modem but want one? You can get one – just pay! Want car insurance but have a bad driving record? That’s okay – just pay more. (Not that I know this through personal experience.) In Brazil, you absolutely, unconditionally, unqualifiedly, need a document showing your mother’s name. You can’t simply offer to pay more to get what you want. I’ve tried. I suppose it’s very democratic in a certain sense.
I finally got a modem, now I just need to go back to the modem store to pick up a copy of my contract.
Maria Julia and the kids explore Nintendo while I drink a beer
Life with Its Teeth Out 