Our first few meals over here we noticed that the restaurants would provide on-table appetizers upon sitting down, that mostly consisted of a tuna pate with bread basket or some cheese and crackers. Thinking it was similar practice to the USA, like a bread basket and oil/vinegar, we would consume what was provided.
We noticed this was a theme everywhere we went, as well as most menus had a "couvert" line item on their menu. It wasn't until we went to a "nicer" restaurant for dinner one night that they brought out an assortment of codfish-cakes and crab-cakes that we had an additional 11 Euro charge on our bill - $15 USD.
Couvert in the Portuguese culture, are appetizers that are brought to your table in advance of you ordering, as a convenience to you. You have the option to eat them or not and if you choose not to eat them, they will take them away with no charge. If you DO decide to eat them, than you will be charged per person the "couvert" charge.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Just a few more "norms"
As time continues to pass over here, we are getting more settled in and comfortable with our surroundings. As we continue to discover more of what the city has to offer, we also are learning more about the culture. I wish I could depict this experience more elaborately and true to its offerings, because each day is truly an adventure and something like we've never experienced before.
Anyway, here are some of the past couple weeks main observations:
Patience is a virtue - Right? Or so my mother has always said. Well this culture tests your patience. Getting in and out of anywhere quickly is not an option. Running into the store to grab milk in 5 minutes will take 20 - no matter what. They move slow...like real slow. And they like to talk...so plan on standing behind the person in the check out line for 5 minutes while they discuss the weather. Eating out is always an experience. Once you sit down, plan on waiting 10 minutes until anyone greets you, takes your drink order and then god knows how long until your meal will arrive. You almost need to go out to lunch an hour before you are really hungry because that's how long it will take to get your food. I guess it's nice when you are not on a schedule or have anywhere to be. (Story of my life :))
Parking - Their parking garages and spots are designed to fit as many vehicles in one small space as possible, leaving no room to fully extend your doors, let alone barely fit through. Thank goodness for the camera sensor because pulling in and out of parking spots is a talent. The ironic thing about the small spaces, is you would think that everyone would have cars filled with dings. I guess they all really respect one another, because people gracefully get in and out of these tiny spots without hitting the car beside them. Good thing I am seldomly behind the wheel!
Homeless Help - Downtown and along some of the higher traffic areas the homeless will help save parking spots and guide you in them. They don't do this out of the kindness of their hearts, they expect some change in return. Initially I thought this was very bizarre, as there would be lots of open spots and you would see these disheveled men pointing at an open space and trying to get you to park there. After asking around, I guess it's common and you give them some change as a token in return.
Castanhas - Among the "Ola" ice cream stands that are scattered throughout the main drag of Avenue do Brazil, so are a handful of street vendors selling nuts. I always thought they were selling garlic, as that's what I gathered from the image on the stands sign, but after we decided to explore what they were all about, we came to find out they were chestnuts. Even after eating them, we still weren't sure what type of nut they were. I took a picture of the sign, so I could google what it read and it reads - "Hot chestnuts and good". Hilarious. They were pretty decent tasting and a healthy little afternoon snack.
Chestnuts in the Portuguese culture are cultivated for its edible seeds and wood. Once the seeds are planted they can take anywhere between 5 and 20+ years before the nuts are made.
Milk - I know I have mentioned before that their milk is NOT sold in the refrigerated section of the stores, rather their normal shelves, but furthermore skim milk does not exist. Their version of skim milk is probably more comparable to our 1.5% milk. So a big glass of milk with dinner, bowl of cereal, or just because (like the gallon a week Andy would drink back in KC)...will have to wait until we get home!!
Salted Fish - Sunday afternoon we were invited to Andre and Carla's for lunch. They have been so amazing to us since we've moved here and are so welcoming of us into their home. We were very excited to spend the day with them and knew Annabelle would have a blast playing with their kids. They served salted sea bass for lunch, which was very tasty, but could not get over the way it was cooked or served. This dish is commonly prepared in the home and at restaurants...as shown below :)
Parking lot...picture doesn't do it justice, but the car in the middle is TINY and fills the spot.
Anyway, here are some of the past couple weeks main observations:
Patience is a virtue - Right? Or so my mother has always said. Well this culture tests your patience. Getting in and out of anywhere quickly is not an option. Running into the store to grab milk in 5 minutes will take 20 - no matter what. They move slow...like real slow. And they like to talk...so plan on standing behind the person in the check out line for 5 minutes while they discuss the weather. Eating out is always an experience. Once you sit down, plan on waiting 10 minutes until anyone greets you, takes your drink order and then god knows how long until your meal will arrive. You almost need to go out to lunch an hour before you are really hungry because that's how long it will take to get your food. I guess it's nice when you are not on a schedule or have anywhere to be. (Story of my life :))
Parking - Their parking garages and spots are designed to fit as many vehicles in one small space as possible, leaving no room to fully extend your doors, let alone barely fit through. Thank goodness for the camera sensor because pulling in and out of parking spots is a talent. The ironic thing about the small spaces, is you would think that everyone would have cars filled with dings. I guess they all really respect one another, because people gracefully get in and out of these tiny spots without hitting the car beside them. Good thing I am seldomly behind the wheel!
Homeless Help - Downtown and along some of the higher traffic areas the homeless will help save parking spots and guide you in them. They don't do this out of the kindness of their hearts, they expect some change in return. Initially I thought this was very bizarre, as there would be lots of open spots and you would see these disheveled men pointing at an open space and trying to get you to park there. After asking around, I guess it's common and you give them some change as a token in return.
Castanhas - Among the "Ola" ice cream stands that are scattered throughout the main drag of Avenue do Brazil, so are a handful of street vendors selling nuts. I always thought they were selling garlic, as that's what I gathered from the image on the stands sign, but after we decided to explore what they were all about, we came to find out they were chestnuts. Even after eating them, we still weren't sure what type of nut they were. I took a picture of the sign, so I could google what it read and it reads - "Hot chestnuts and good". Hilarious. They were pretty decent tasting and a healthy little afternoon snack.
Chestnuts in the Portuguese culture are cultivated for its edible seeds and wood. Once the seeds are planted they can take anywhere between 5 and 20+ years before the nuts are made.
Milk - I know I have mentioned before that their milk is NOT sold in the refrigerated section of the stores, rather their normal shelves, but furthermore skim milk does not exist. Their version of skim milk is probably more comparable to our 1.5% milk. So a big glass of milk with dinner, bowl of cereal, or just because (like the gallon a week Andy would drink back in KC)...will have to wait until we get home!!
Salted Fish - Sunday afternoon we were invited to Andre and Carla's for lunch. They have been so amazing to us since we've moved here and are so welcoming of us into their home. We were very excited to spend the day with them and knew Annabelle would have a blast playing with their kids. They served salted sea bass for lunch, which was very tasty, but could not get over the way it was cooked or served. This dish is commonly prepared in the home and at restaurants...as shown below :)
Parking lot...picture doesn't do it justice, but the car in the middle is TINY and fills the spot.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Photo Shoot
So I had this really great idea that I would take Annabelle down to the beach and conduct a little photo shoot. I thought it would be great if I could get some new pictures of her down by the water and we were going to have our first sunny day in weeks. So I pulled out some cute outfits, got her to agree to wear a bow and off we went. The sun was shining, the surfers were out and I thought it was meant to be. I was snapping away trying to get her to smile, which she does NOT do on command anymore. I swear she thinks everyone else is funny but her mom. So we were playing and taking some pictures and just warming up when this wave came...and well, our photo shoot then ended :(
Jaoquim aka Bob
Our security guards are truly great. Jaoquim, who is our daily guard, is so wonderful and sweet to Annabelle. The culture naturally loves children, but he is a father of two boys of his own, so has that fatherly side to him. While I still have my guard up and don't trust anyone 100%, he is always super polite and sweet to her. On rainy days, which we have plenty, we will walk up to the gate and he will let her roll around in his chair and run around with her. Being one of the only tenants in the complex currently, I think he too looks forward to the interaction with us. Numerous times a day we head out for our walks and he always greets us at the gate and talks to Annabelle. His English is not the best, but he tries. I thought him "see yah" so he always ends our conversations with "see yah". He calls Andy "Mr. Andy" and Annabelle his "little princess". Knowing Annabelle would not be able to say "Jaoquim", as I have tried to teach her, I told her his name was "Bob". Now she greets him with "Hi Bob" and leaves him with "See yah Bob". Not sure why I choose Bob, but it works, so will go with it.
Oh and I think he kind of looks like Pitbull...right?
I was acting like I was taking a picture of the sky, but think he knew that I was being creepy and taking a picture of him...
I was acting like I was taking a picture of the sky, but think he knew that I was being creepy and taking a picture of him...
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