First, I ask that you look at the image above and contemplate the image. Now put your generalisations aside and think the same way various ways of life exist in the United States they exist here in Brazil. Several comparisons, at various capacities, could be drawn between the United States and Brazil regarding our past, present, and even future. It is a very peculiar time for Brazil. There is both a political and economic crises. Politically the current president, Dilma Rousseff has rather low approval ratings (Feb 2016 - 21.8%, up from 15.9% in October 2015). Economically, Brazil is going through, what some economists have argued, the worst recession since the 1930s and its currency can range from 3,5 - 4,2 Reals (pronounced Hey-Ice) for every $1USD. Sadly, the cost of living per the norm does not reflect with the minimal wage. The current minimal wage a month is $808BRL or about $224USD a month. Even in small or a rural area it is difficult to live off $808BRL a month.
For the next nine months my home is Goiânia (red point on photo below.) It has a population of about 1,3 million inhabitants with the metro having 2,2 million inhabitants. Where do I start with the city? IT. IS. HOT. The city has a "Cerrado" landscape, meaning that is is a vast tropical savanna ecoregion, it is characterised by an extensive savanna formations crossed by gallery forests and stream valleys. Since arriving two weeks ago, most days it gets to about 30 degrees Celsius or about 86 degrees Fahrenheit and 60-90% humidity. My favourite part of the day is when it rains, I have been guaranteed a rain storm every day usually in the late afternoon, and that drops the temperature to a much more comfortable one.
Outside the heat, Goiânia has its hidden beauties that I am slowly discovering. Do to the heavy rain, everything is GREEN. Which is a better sight from my flat versus everything being dried up, (that occurs in September and October). There are copious amounts of parks to visit. What makes these parks rather unique is most have a natural spring in them, meaning water naturally comes from an aquifer to the surface. The food has been delicious, a bit too salty for my taste. Though, there is always fruit! Guava, watermelon, papaya, strawberries, passion fruit, fruits from the forest, and anything else you can think of. I could get use to this life.
Regarding my work, I will post in detail much later. I have been posted at UFG-Universidade Federal de Goiás (Federal University of Goiás). The way public education works here in Brazil is municipal government is in charge of grammar school, the state is in charge of secondary school, and the federal government of university. The academic year goes from February to November. Sadly, last year towards the end of the year, the professor syndicate went on strike demanding a raise. The strike lasted three months. Meaning that last academic year just finished on March 4 and 2016 academic year does not start till March 30. Though, luckily for me, English classes are still being held because "Inglês see Fronterias" (English without Borders) is a separate entity from the university, more on that on my next post.
In the mean time abraços from the other side! Oh and before I forget, there are monkeys on campus! Who happen to steal food from the students and can sip from straws, so I have been told.
