Português

So after 24 hours of flying/waiting/sitting I arrived home at around 2:30pm yesterday. The biggest reverse culture shock...is that America is FREEEEZING. (I know people like Lex, or Abby, or East coast/mid west would scoff at the temperate bay area, but I have not felt that sneaky little cold wind that finds every exposed surface and nips at your skin for over 6 months and it is COLD!).

Anyways, I am home until January 12th where again I am off to Costa Rica for 3 months mais o menos. But what I really wanted to write about was a few comments on the kwirks of Português. (Before I forget it all to Spanish)

Unlike German, Portuguese steals American words shamelessly but pronounces them in the cutest fashion. "Internet," for example is spelled "internet" but pronounced "in-ter-ne-chee." "Hip-hop" becomes "hippy-hoppy", "rock" music becomes "hockee" (the 'r' at the begining of the word is pronounced like a spanish 'j'). "Hot Dog" is some times translated literally to "cachorro quente" (pronounced ca-sho-ho ken-chee)or is called a "hot-chee dog." In fact, most of the time when a Português speaker would try to be helpful by throwing in an English word they knew with the Português pronunciation, I had NO CLUE that they were attempting to speak English. Even after you grow accustomed to the pronunciation patterns I was still utterly thrown off when some one was trying to talk to me about "Bra-gee Pi-chee." As you probably could (not) guess, they were talking about none other than American celebrity Brad Pitt.

One of the things I love most about Portuguese is the sign language that they use. The two most important hand gestures one must learn before going to Brazil is the "Thumbs Up" and what I call the "Finger Waggle."

The Finger Waggle consists of raising the index finger and and shaking it back and forth. It can be accompanied by an oscillation of the wrist for emphasis (or if the dexterity in your index finger is not up to par) but is not necessary. This motion means a very serious "No." When vendors come up to you to try to sell you something, just the slightest waggle from that finger and they will go away immediately without even saying a word. Brazilians are so responsive to this finger waggle that if, for example, your hand is occupied by, lets say, the book you are holding, just lifting the finger, still holding the book will produce the desired result. The waggle is also useful at bus stops to let the bus driver know that that is not the bus you want. Buses (and all cars) drive at break neck speeds and even at a bus stop you must flag the bus down so it can slam on its breaks to let you on. However, if a bus passes that you don't want to take, the bus driver (at lightening speed) looks for the small and insignificant finger waggle from all the people waiting at the bus stop to know that he can bullet on without stopping.

My favorite hand signal of all is the thumbs up, which is used liberally. I have adopted its use like a bad habit. The thumbs up, like English, means good, in every sense. If you like something, are content, comfortable, satisfied, or happy, you use the thumbs up. Brazilians (who are extremely generous and hospitable) will not take your word if you say you are full at dinner, or comfortable in this chair, but will keep on insisting you eat more or use this or that pillow unless you show them the thumbs up. That has the final say. The thumbs up can also be used instead of a conversation all together. When walking down the street and you pass someone you know, instead of stopping for quick and meaningless small talk you can give them the thumbs up to mean "Hi, how are you" and they will flash the thumbs up back to mean "I am fine, thank you" and then you will pass each other without a word, but having exchanged the most pleasant little conversation. This is especially useful if you are in a group talking and you see from a far a friend, who it would be rude to not say hi to but also rude to leave your present conversation. An across-the-way thumbs up works perfectly in this situation. Thumbs up is also the way to thank a driver when they stop for you at a cross walk (though this, is not that common because pedestrians have little right-of-way). I often use the thumbs up after a finger waggle at a vendor to be more kind, in a "Your hand crafted jewelery is beautiful, but I am not interested in buy any right now, thank you very much" sort of way. The thumbs up is such a universal sign of a good feeling in Brazil; I love it.

Well folks, my (Brazilian) journey is over but my globetrotting will continue logo, or should I say pronto (as in Spanish). I'll be keeping this blog for Costa Rica too, so continue to check it, and I will also add some more Brazilian pictures.

Feliz Ano Novo,
Beijos!