I Look Brazilian??

Today started out like yesterday; rainy. I finally got a break around 11 and was ready to venture out to buy stamps (selos). I knew there would be a language barrier so I was trying to do some research online on how much it would cost mail a postcard to the United States. After about an hour and no clear answer, I decided to wing it and hope I could make myself understood. Just as I was gathering up my stuff, it started to rain again. So I had another couple of hours waiting for it to stop raining.

I had tried to buy stamps on my journey out on Monday but couldn't find the post office. The bellhop (who spoke some English) told me to go to the Banco do Brasil. The website for the Agência de Corrêio (Post Office) didn't have any prices for the stamps but it too said I could buy stamps (selos) at the Banco do Brasil. When the rain stopped I went to the bank and stood in line. I had no idea what the sign said for the line I was in and I don't really like thumbing through my phrase book when I am in a crowd as I am sure this draws attention to myself as a foreigner. So when I finally get to the window I tell the man, "não falo Portuguese" he says just as clear as can be "how about English?" Whew! I told him I needed stamps - selos. He was confused because he didn't know they sold stamps. He said he had only been at that branch a short time and would check. Bottom line, the bank does not sell stamps. Next bottom line, I am tired of trying to buy stamps. No one is getting a postcard mailed from Brazil.

I did manage to do a little shopping for errands; more razors for David and more water for our mini refrigerator. I had no problems with these two transactions. The man at the drug store said "cinco" clear enough for me to give him R$5 and the women at the convenient store know me well enough to hold up the correct number of fingers.

Since it was raining last night, David and I went for a pizza that is right next door to the hotel. If you are thinking, pizza - boring, you are wrong. This is not the same pizza as United States pizza. First I think they will put anything and everything on the pizza. I took a menu with me and have yet to translate everything listed but just some of the things are eggs, peas, green beans, corn, hearts of palm, veal, catsup, mustard, potatoes, etc. This pizza place named their specialty pizzas after people: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Chaplin, All Pacino (their spelling), Bardot, Al Capone (Al spelled right here), or Spilberg. I can't figure out what each pizza has in common with the namesake. Instead of one pizza divided between us, we each had a pizza and David's was half and half. Not exactly what we thought we were ordering but at least we ate.

Today when I left the hotel for my errands, I accidentally got off the elevator at the convention floor instead of the lobby. The woman there said something to me and I did my usual "não falo Portuguese" and she gave me a strange look and said "não Portuguese?" I repeated. She then told me I looked Brazilian, whatever that means. That could also be the reason I don't have too much trouble going a few blocks down the street for errands.