Adaptation

Today while coming back to Campo Grande by train I was thinking about how many street vendors there are in Brasil.  To be honest it was really strange to get used to as an American.  When I first arrived I was bothered by it, it was just another part of culture shock.  In Portuguese they say “barulho” which is significant of noise.  To my delicate ears it just seemed like an excess of noise, and it was hard to get away from.  But today on the train I actually found myself enjoying the noise, humming along with the the song of the city. 

On the trains vendors enter and exit the various cars carrying their boxes or trash bags full of goodies singing their slogans.

Potatoes

Potatoes one real

Sometimes I am even privileged enough to witness a live infomercial.

Have I got a deal for you.  I have water bottles in all colors for just two reals.  That’s right people just two reals, and only for today.  You can freeze it and your water will stay cold for up to five hours.  You have small children? No problem.  to their book bags with this included little carabineer.  Just today am I selling them for 2 reals, Globo is selling them for 12.  2 reals, 2 reals people.

They sell anything from peanuts, to flash drives.  Almost anything you could possibly need, and much more that you don’t. Haha.

On the hot days those who are carrying drinks pour the melted ice out of the boxes when the train doors open at the various sites.

On the streets when people stop at the busy traffic lights people will enter in and amongst the cars and vend various goodies as well.  Sometimes they will put a bag on your side view mirrors.  If you want it you roll down your window.  If not, they come back in 30 seconds to take it back.  Today on the train a man put a sheet of stickers on my bag, and when I didn’t pull out any money, a minute later he took it back. 

It’s funny how we adjust to things to the point where we don’t even notice them anymore.  I think it’s at times like these where I feel like I’m truly adapting to Brasil, however trivial that may seem.