This time it is the Amazon.
A week from Sunday.
Nick
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Airlines
I need to rant:
I am going through some fucking BULLSHIT with US Airwars right now.
(that was accidental but fitting).
It isn't just Brazil. The whole world is dysfunctional.
Sigh. It isn't even that bad. I am just a frustratable human being.
On a different note, I am doing well in Salvador da Bahia. Once again my requests have been fulfilled, but this time in a much less abrasive way, thank God. I have been very present here the last 3 days. Really enjoying this city. I worked on my bike for 2 hours today and it was so miserable and frustrating but I stayed calm and felt great when I succeeded in fixing it and took a nice long bike ride along the coast. So I am doing well here.
If we all had working bikes that were efficient for international travel I think our life expectancy would go through the roof.
Anyways. US Airways will be hearing from me tomorrow.
I am going through some fucking BULLSHIT with US Airwars right now.
(that was accidental but fitting).
It isn't just Brazil. The whole world is dysfunctional.
Sigh. It isn't even that bad. I am just a frustratable human being.
On a different note, I am doing well in Salvador da Bahia. Once again my requests have been fulfilled, but this time in a much less abrasive way, thank God. I have been very present here the last 3 days. Really enjoying this city. I worked on my bike for 2 hours today and it was so miserable and frustrating but I stayed calm and felt great when I succeeded in fixing it and took a nice long bike ride along the coast. So I am doing well here.
If we all had working bikes that were efficient for international travel I think our life expectancy would go through the roof.
Anyways. US Airways will be hearing from me tomorrow.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Go Hoos Go
I am so proud of my University.
It is a place where you can double major in Religious Studies and Economics, or Music and Biology.
I gripe a lot about the lack of academic interest on the part of the student body. But I am surrounded by young scholars winning internationally renowned scholarships left and right.
And I respect my professors.
And our baseball team is #1 in the country!
These things I take for granted at the University of Virginia. But you know, it really is an uncommon place.
Congratulations to the graduating class. Can't wait to lie on the lawn and yell WA HOO WAH.
Where does all this pride come from? Maybe from the sharp contrast with the universities here. I am still failing to accept cultural differences. Once again I have asked for a heart open enough to be present for these "final exercises" of my own. Hopefully this time around I don't get smacked so hard!
It is a place where you can double major in Religious Studies and Economics, or Music and Biology.
I gripe a lot about the lack of academic interest on the part of the student body. But I am surrounded by young scholars winning internationally renowned scholarships left and right.
And I respect my professors.
And our baseball team is #1 in the country!
These things I take for granted at the University of Virginia. But you know, it really is an uncommon place.
Congratulations to the graduating class. Can't wait to lie on the lawn and yell WA HOO WAH.
Where does all this pride come from? Maybe from the sharp contrast with the universities here. I am still failing to accept cultural differences. Once again I have asked for a heart open enough to be present for these "final exercises" of my own. Hopefully this time around I don't get smacked so hard!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chove, chuva....
Hey where did we go? Days when the rains came?
Salvador da Bahia.
I chose to get wet.
And it was really wonderful! A few things need to be said though.
On my way home tonight, a woman stepped right in front of me without looking and I went straight on into her. Instead of stopping or at least looking back to see if she was ok, I turned around to yell at her and tell her to be careful, and went on my way. I was thinking how incredibly good that felt--because (and this is not an exaggeration) at least 2-3 times every bike ride, someone walks in front of me or cuts me off or almost hits me--and I scream and curse at them in a mixture of English and Portuguese and I am always left feeling so bitter and angry. But something about today, about actually hitting this woman and knowing it was her fault and I could see on her terrified face that she knew it too, and yelling at her and knowing she got the message and SHE WAS WRONG made me feel extremely triumphant.
It is like a war. Bike vs. cars. And those assholes are always getting the better of me but today I won!
I was passing car after car and cackling wildly-HA! HA HA! YOU ARE STOPPED DEAD IN TRAFFIC AND I AM CRUISING BY YOU AND GETTING TO MY DESTINATION 5 TIMES FASTER THAN YOU! I AM WET AND HAPPY CAUSE I HAVE GREAT MUSIC! AND ALL THOSE TIMES YOU GAVE ME DISGUSTED LOOKS AND CUT ME OFF ARE NOW BITING YOU IN THE ASS CAUSE WHO IS WINNING NOW!?? BIKE IS BETTER!!!
But, wait a minute--there is something wrong with this picture. What kind of monster have I turned into? War? Have I gone mad? I have let the prejudice towards bikers completely overrun me with anger. I have not risen above it. I am worse than they are.
And I thought this. And I still felt really happy that I was passing cars. But it wasn't because I was winning. It was because I was grateful. Grateful to have a bike that gets me everywhere faster than a car or bus would, even when it isn't raining. And I felt bad about not stopping to see if the woman was ok.
Needless to say, I think I have learned a lesson today. Cultural differences make me angry, but when I let that anger control me, I am miserable. And if I smile and just keep pedaling, I can just float on by.
I never want to own a car again. Maybe to keep around to take trips with, or haul wood or do farm stuff, you know. But never to drive around the city. The benefits of a bike are endless. And if you can enjoy biking in the rain, then there are no cons.
Not to mention that Phish's Miner's Picks Laid Back 98 Funk did not hurt.
Salvador da Bahia.
I chose to get wet.
And it was really wonderful! A few things need to be said though.
On my way home tonight, a woman stepped right in front of me without looking and I went straight on into her. Instead of stopping or at least looking back to see if she was ok, I turned around to yell at her and tell her to be careful, and went on my way. I was thinking how incredibly good that felt--because (and this is not an exaggeration) at least 2-3 times every bike ride, someone walks in front of me or cuts me off or almost hits me--and I scream and curse at them in a mixture of English and Portuguese and I am always left feeling so bitter and angry. But something about today, about actually hitting this woman and knowing it was her fault and I could see on her terrified face that she knew it too, and yelling at her and knowing she got the message and SHE WAS WRONG made me feel extremely triumphant.
It is like a war. Bike vs. cars. And those assholes are always getting the better of me but today I won!
I was passing car after car and cackling wildly-HA! HA HA! YOU ARE STOPPED DEAD IN TRAFFIC AND I AM CRUISING BY YOU AND GETTING TO MY DESTINATION 5 TIMES FASTER THAN YOU! I AM WET AND HAPPY CAUSE I HAVE GREAT MUSIC! AND ALL THOSE TIMES YOU GAVE ME DISGUSTED LOOKS AND CUT ME OFF ARE NOW BITING YOU IN THE ASS CAUSE WHO IS WINNING NOW!?? BIKE IS BETTER!!!
But, wait a minute--there is something wrong with this picture. What kind of monster have I turned into? War? Have I gone mad? I have let the prejudice towards bikers completely overrun me with anger. I have not risen above it. I am worse than they are.
And I thought this. And I still felt really happy that I was passing cars. But it wasn't because I was winning. It was because I was grateful. Grateful to have a bike that gets me everywhere faster than a car or bus would, even when it isn't raining. And I felt bad about not stopping to see if the woman was ok.
Needless to say, I think I have learned a lesson today. Cultural differences make me angry, but when I let that anger control me, I am miserable. And if I smile and just keep pedaling, I can just float on by.
I never want to own a car again. Maybe to keep around to take trips with, or haul wood or do farm stuff, you know. But never to drive around the city. The benefits of a bike are endless. And if you can enjoy biking in the rain, then there are no cons.
Not to mention that Phish's Miner's Picks Laid Back 98 Funk did not hurt.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Diferencas Culturais
When you pray, make sure you mean it. I asked for a reopening of the mind to this place. I got slapped by Salvador, but I don't regret asking.
I have not directly elaborated much on cultural differences; this occasion seems worth it to do so.
It also seems occasion for complaint. Remember my gratitude.
Diferenca Cultural #1: A Atitude Burocratica
Changing a flight might perhaps be a hassle with a US Airline as well. Hassle is not a good word to describe my experience--I think a wild goose chase where misinformation abounds is more accurate. Of course, here, I employ hyperbole of the negative side in order to make the positive side that much more dramatic and cathartic. So wait until we get there.
In calling Orbitz, my travel agent, I was informed that yes, I can change my flight right here, right now. Unfortunately, I was not yet prepared to do so; I needed to review some details. So ok, fine, I call back 20 minutes later with credit card in hand to be told that I need to call the airline directly, Tam Airlines to be precise (the direct reference is necessary--ain't no one gettin' off that easy 'cept me when I see you). Ok, cool, no worries, that is understandable.
The kind Tam associate told me that there was an issue with the computer system and she could not give me any fares. She needed to put in a request to the booking department, and I was to call back in 48 hours to get my fare. Ok...was a little frustrated, but ok. All good. Here is the important part: I told her I was worried that in 2 days, the fares will have gone up, and I shouldn't have to pay the extra because I am here with card in hand ready to pay and you can't give me fares. "Fique tranquilo. Vai mudar nao." Be calm, it won't change. ISSO e Brasil. Ok, fine, Tam Woman. I'll be calm. But only for the next 48 hours. This was a Friday.
I am working on patience and I have still not arrived. I'd like to say that I did not think about it at least 33 out of those 48 hours. I'd like to say that I didn't call back exactly 48 hours later, on Sunday. But I did. This time I was greeted by a nice gentleman.
He informed me that it being Sunday, the booking department still hasn't gotten back to us yet. But the nice Tam Woman said 48 hours. But I still don't have a fare. I was not tranquilo. I told him that I needed a guarantee that my fare will not go up--that it is not my problem that your computer system is down (he was confused by this--the computer system was never down, but who knows who to believe?), that I am here ready to pay hundreds of dollars. He could not give me a guarantee. I said I needed a guarantee. He said he can't give me one, but don't worry! Be calm! It probably won't change. But that is not good enough, damnit! I need a guarantee! Do you understand?
And so it went. Finally he said "Ok I can guarantee it. Fique tranquilo." Asshole.
He told me to call back the next day.
On Monday, I called back. This time, it was Jack. I remember Jack's name, a clear American bastardization of perhaps Joao? He regretted to inform me that after 72 hours, I still did not have any fares, because the booking department only works on business days. So, it would be best if I called back in 48 hours. Poor Jack. I decided to test this guarantee I received the day before on Jack. After going through the same thing and being told to be calm cause the fares probably won't change, he finally told me that YES! My seats have been guaranteed from the beginning! Tam Woman booked me on the flight, my spots were saved, I just needed to pay and I would do that once they got the info. Why were they holding out on me? Was it some secret, or were they just trying to mess with the American? Anyways, it seemed like I finally got a competent human being. I felt relieved. But Jack also told me that if I was really anxious, I could go to a Tam agency in person and change it there. Well, I was really anxious--it is sad but I can't trust too many people. So I asked him where in Salvador was a Tam agency. He gave me an address and we hung up. There was nothing else he could help me with and he was thankful I called Tam Airlines.
I Googled the address. It was in Recife, 800 km north. Fail, Jack, fail! You failed me Jack! Damnit! Well ok. Google is a great tool. And I found the right address.
Perfect! It was really far away, but I happened to be heading down there on that very day anyways to give a guitar lesson! Here is where the story gets good.
I made a mix just for the bike ride. A throwback mix, for sure. A happy mix too. The stuff I loved as a boy that I haven't listened to for years with a few of my favorite tunes now. Worthy enough to be reproduced.
AC/DC--You Shook me all Night Long
Beatles--Oh! Darling
Alice in Chains--Rooster
M. Ward--Shangri-la
Buena Vista Social Club--De Camino a la Vereda
Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons--Stay
Bob Dylan--Visions of Johanna
Tool-Eulogy
Merle Haggard--Mama Tried
Dipset--Rubberband Man
Grateful Dead--St. Stephen (from 4/21/69 at The Ark in Boston)
Chico Buarque--A Banda
Creedence Clearwater Revival--Up Around the Bend
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg--Next Episode
Deliverance Soundtrack--Eight More Miles to Louisville
Frank Zappa and the Mothers--Son of Orange County
Wes Montgomery--D Natural Blues
Leo Kottke--The Driving of the Year Nail
Nirvana--Lithium
Sly and the Family Stone--You Can Make it if you Try
Infected Mushroom--Devil (final mix)
Yes--Yours is no Disgrace
An eclectic and lovable collection.
Man, it was so fucking good. I jetted down to that address belting out the words to each tune and I don't think a smile ever left my face. Beautiful day. I was flying. Going so fast. And just in heaven. All sweaty and loving it.
Upon arrival, a popsicle vendor was awaiting me! PICOLE! He didn't have cacau but he had caju so that was cool. Strolled on in feeling great, asked where Tam was, and the kindly secretary said that there is no Tam here. But there is an American Airlines! This address was extracted from the Tam website mesmo, folks. Luckily, shit always works out well and easy like this in Brazil, seriously*: there was a Tam office right across the street! Neat. This is why we can ficar tranquilo.
Got there and the nice lady at the desk told me I could only change tickets at the airport. To test her, I asked if I could do it over the phone. She said no. THEY ARE ALL A BUNCH OF FUCKING LIARS!! Haha. Nah, they aren't. I don't know what it is--the "be calm" culture? People don't give a shit?
Anyways. Here is the moral of this story. The hassle is not relevant, because doing something like this is a hassle no matter what country you are in. I was continuously told to chill. To relax. And I resisted so heavily. I did everything I could do to not be chill. And in the end, I was forced to be chill anyways and wait til Wednesday. And you know what happened on Wednesday? I got my flight changed for the same price it would have been if I had done it the Friday before. Why couldn't I take their advice? They know this system. They know how it works. They are a part of it. Why did I have to fight? I want to be a part too...
Cultural differences man. Shit. And you know what? I like this system! Who likes being chill? I do. I like being chill! I really do like being chill! Even better--I got an excellent mix and bike ride out of this experience. So many endorphins were released during that man I haven't been that happy in awhile.
Diferenca Cultural #2: Falta de Papel no Banheiro
This one I am going to complain about because it is completely unacceptable. I don't care how spoiled my ass is. I want to at least have the option to wipe it.
On my way to class, in a government funded university building, the urge hit me. So, naturally, I made my way to the nearest stall and sat down. Upon finishing, I reached for the toilet paper. None. If this were the first time this ever happened, ok, that is fine. But this is the norm. It is very consistent. I carry around extra toilet paper with me at all times for this very reason. Except right then. FUCK! Why haven't I learned yet?? Check before pooping!!!!!
There was someone else in the bathroom at the time. Ok, just wait til he leaves, check, and then waddle over to the adjacent stall to get paper. He leaves, I waddle, ass out, pants around ankles, and suddenly the bathroom door opens! I rush into the next stall and close the door. And.........there is no paper. Haha! I wait until he leaves. I repeated this process 3 times people, 3 times, until I finally came to the last stall, fingers crossed (because if there is no toilet paper, there is no paper towel backup. Every bathroom in this country has at least 1 empty paper towel holder, and no more than zero at least partially full ones. No joke. I have never seen a paper towel in Brazil. Only empty towel holders. This is 100% consistent no exceptions. Same with soap. Odd for such an obsessively clean culture. Personally, I don't give a shit--paranomasia completely intended)...and there was paper. Sigh of relief. For some reason, I still do not know why, I waddled back to my original stall across the bathroom and completed the process.
And guess what? There was soap.
This is not like the Tam experience. There is nothing good about this. I understand that I am spoiled. I come from a rich country. Brazil is not as rich. But it is not that poor! This is a public university bathroom in a nice part of town! There are certain expectations here. Money is not the reason why this bathroom lacked toilet paper. What is it? Lack of infrastructure? No, because there are tons of custodians around...shit, there are even security guards, they can restock if need be! I remain baffled.
A notable notable: the second I arrived under the roof of my garage that night, the sky dramatically cackled and then pelted, both done violently. I got a smile. And a break.
Diferenca Cultural #3: Nao tem alguma nota menor?
Change. It just does not really exist. First of all, exactitude is not a priority. Especially because many prices are for example 2.97 or 15.64 but there are no 1 cent pieces! Haha! The smallest denomination is 5 cents! So how do you give change for 2.97 with only 5s? You don't. But that is not the point here. The point is that exact change is generally expected. If something costs 2.50 and you don't have 2.50, it seems an excruciating pain in the ass for the cashier to reach into the drawer and count it out for you. That is their problem, not ours. Here is where it becomes our problem: If something costs 2.00, and all you have is a 10 dollar bill, forget about it. The classic response: you don't have a smaller bill? No. Well, sorry. They would actually rather lose your business than make that sort of change for you. But because the bus cannot deny people (I know this from the characters I have met on the bus), I have seen people (only Americans of course cause all Brazilians magically have exact change) get free bus fares because they only had a 20. This is problematic because the ATM only gives out 50 and 100 dollar bills. So where do you break them? Haha! I guess at the bank, but I haven't tried that yet because I am scared I will be asked if I have anything smaller.
Diferenca Cultural #4: Sapatos
Shoes here are very expensive. If you have shoes, you are probably in the upper-middle class. If you don't have shoes, you are most likely poor.
Diferenca Cultural #5: Bebendo
Drunkenness is socially unacceptable, whereas in the US, it is something to brag about. People drink all day every day, but never to get drunk. Perhaps because all beer here is practically water, at least from what I can tell without drinking it. But taste does not matter. It is temperature that matters. Beer is kept in the freezer, and each freezer has a large thermometer on the outside in plain view of the customer. If beer is anything less than practically frozen, it is deemed undrinkable. At a bar with friends a few weeks ago, the waiter said they were out of beer. When my friends asked how that could be, he just insisted they were out of beer. As my friends continued to pry, he finally told us that they had beer, and it was cold, but not cold enough and he could not serve it. He was not holding out on them--but to him, insufficiently cold beer meant no beer. He brought it anyways, reluctantly. And it was cold.
Diferenca Cultural #6: O Medo da Chuva
For a place where it rains HARD everyday for 6 months straight, people are extremely scared of rain. The city shuts down when it rains. Classes stop, businesses close, people do not leave the house. The traffic is unbearable. Today it took me an hour and a half to get to this party which would normally be 30 min. away. After I was there for awhile, I graciously told my hostess I really needed to leave. She laughed and said, "Not now, it is raining." I told her it was ok, that the bus stop was close and I would run. She gave me a cold look. Do they hate it because it happens so much and it is a grudge thing? Like Bostonians hating the cold? But I feel like we are used to the cold and have adjusted to it. I am again baffled by Brazil.
Diferenca Cultural #7: Recusa
Refusal is unacceptable. If you are offered something, like food, you had better damned well say yes. And if you say no, you are either told forcibly to take it (using the imperative verb form) or subject to the offerer pouting. It is a very generous culture, honestly. I am too sarcastic that it is even hard for me to tell the difference.
Diferenca Cultural #8: Tome Banho e Fique Cheiroso
3 showers daily is the norm. And you had better put on at least half of one of your 30 bottles of perfume or else no one will want to be near you. I get it--it is hot and people sweat! This is why no one dances with me.
Diferenca Cultura #9: Limpeza
Everything. Must. Be. CLEAN. And I mean spankin'. Bacteria is even scarier than rain. No joke. I placed a fork in the sink and then pulled it out and began to use it before it was ripped out of my hands, scrubbed vigorously with copious amounts of soap, and replaced in my grip. I was scolded, "The sink is dirty! There is bacteria! It is unhygienic!" I know I am the other extreme. I eat off the floor, I don't care. But do I ever get sick? I'm a smoker, I am tough (I think you have to know me to think I'm not a douchebag sometimes). I got the immunity of a horse.
Just NOW I was typing away, and suddenly I am being fed little crackers. As you now know, I could not refuse. But I did not feel comfortable being fed (of course, the feeder's motives were based mainly on love and care, and doting is what it is, really) So I began to take the crackers out of the feeder's hand and place them in my own mouth. But before I could get my hands on them, my wrist was slapped, because my hands are dirty! And that would be antigenico! And the hands feeding me were without bacteria, of course (why were my hands dirty? The same reason they always are. That goddamned bicycle). I continued to resist. So I was brought a plate of crackers and tongs.
Ha!
Perhaps this is similar to the fear of rain--this city is so dirty that obsessive cleanliness is a way to resist that. But the city wouldn't be so dirty if people did not litter so much! It is harrowing. Something interesting I saw yesterday: a woman of at least the middle class was washing her feet in a puddle in the street yesterday. Not even I would do that. I can't explain it. Its like putting all forms of human excrement in a blender with trash, grease, and dirt and then putting the product on your skin to make it clean.
Diferenca Cultural #10: Raca
This city is 85% black. Something really interesting: people who are clearly black will sometimes identify as "moreno," which is a tanned Latin skin tone. They do not want to be associated as black. Because here, racism is something else. I do not know what it is. But it is ok to call black people smelly or lazy or dangerous and that is not racism. The first 2 are outlandish. But unfortunately, the 3rd has statistical basis. Not because of race. Here we get into socioeconomic hierarchy and oppression of the past and I will stop.
It is of paramount importance to mention that none of these are complaints or condemnations (except #2)--just observations. Of course, it is impossible for me to remain completely neutral. I am the product of my own specific weltanschauung and I am bound to make judgments. But I speak these words with genuine attempts at acceptance and embrace. Not just to be politically correct either--I want this. I imagine sentiments are pretty similar across the board when it comes to cultural differences, ne?
*Something so wonderful about this place is that shit just always works out. You can't find a store and then you accidentally bump into someone on the street, get to talking to them, find out they own the store you are looking for, they take you there, and they give you a discount. Stuff like that is happening all the time. It allows you to go someplace, have no idea how to get there or back, but trust that it will happen easily. I was way off in God knows where yesterday and I had no idea how to get home when suddenly a bus going to my neighborhood passed and I got on. Simple as that. Things ALWAYS fall into place. You just have to have the time to let them. Schedules are useless and impossible. Cause the way these things happen is by talking to people. This culture is very much based on social interaction, which is really getting back to our human roots and I love that. In the States, if you can't get somewhere, you better have your Blackberry handy so you can look it up on Google Maps, cause you aren't going to talk to anyone and no one is gonna talk to you. Ya know? Truly, all you gotta do is ficar tranquilo...only problem is, if you need something done by a particular time, you need to struggle. But nothing is expected to be done at a particular time. Cause that is just not the way it works here.
I just finished this wonderful book, "Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice" by Mark Plotkin about a Harvard ethnobotanist (Mark mesmo) who goes to study plants with indigenous Indian tribes of the Amazon (by the way--don't fuck with me on the political correctness of the word "Indian" because that is the term he uses). One of his main arguments is that here we are, the white man, destroying this culture by cutting down the rainforest and bringing in missionaries (although he showed some benefits of missionaries too, and I appreciated the other side of this sword), and all this great shamanistic knowledge is being lost, and the pharmaceutical companies are making their millions off of the plants that these tribes have been using to cure the same ailments for thousands of years and they are seeing no profits. It is a great argument I think. And it makes me ask a lot of questions: why was it Europeans who came to colonize the Americas? Why not the other way around? Why was it not the Indians who developed these massive pharmaceutical companies to make millions? Why did the white man develop guns and not the Indians? Are guns better than bows and arrows to hunt with? What role does Christianity play in all this?
Anyways. I have been trying to work it out in my head. I think a lot of it has to do with climate. The European climate is kinda shitty and there was a lot of disease and filth in the Middle Ages. So why not seek out something new? The Amazon Indians did not need to do that--they had a beautiful warm climate and no epidemics like the Black Plague or Malaria. But why did these cultures develop differently? Why is there so much more reverence for nature in the Indians' culture? Does this have to do with climate again? Or environment? Why did Europeans develop guns and not the Amerindians? Both peoples are equally as violent. Bows and arrows are probably better for that type of hunting--they are silent. But what about killing humans? Guns are surely more effective. But why do we think of guns as progress? What if the invention of guns is devolution, for 2 reasons: 1, we kill ourselves off faster. 2, perhaps they create an unhealthy mindset, or "lower" ideals and values. And pharm companies. They are so rich, so progressive, so advanced, right? I don't think so. I think that is some devolution right there. Or what I am trying to say is, that is not necessarily progress. Pharmaceuticals are pretty detrimental--not just the companies, but the ways we abuse the drugs too. And the ways we rely on them and weaken our immune systems is devolution. Whereas these Indians are taking the same chemicals but in a manner that is harmonious with the source. I am not going to get into religion here.
This all leads me to one big question: are there genetic differences between races that result in different cultural traits? I have heard some people say absolutely there is proof and some people say no, that race does not exist and it is a social construction and only exists because of racism. And the main thing I can glean from this is: I try to put values on things always. Which is better? White or not? This is silly and impossible to evaluate. So I will just deixar la.
Speaking of which. I try to milk everything for meaning or reason. And sometimes, it just don't got it. I gotta learn to be ok with that and ficar tranquilo. Goddamn if I learn 1 thing here it will be that! My purpose. No--no purposes! Deixa la deixa la!!!!
I have been homesick lately. But I woke up this morning feeling really sad that I am leaving so soon. Shit, I am really going to miss it here. I love Brazil. It is nuts. I hate it too. But I feel that way about everywhere I have made my home, especially while I am there (when I am not I conveniently forget, always to be unpleasantly rereminded). I have made a home here. Yeah. That feels good. It is in me. I am natural here. And it will be a big change going back. I gotta get back here.
I am thankful for this healthy body.
I have not directly elaborated much on cultural differences; this occasion seems worth it to do so.
It also seems occasion for complaint. Remember my gratitude.
Diferenca Cultural #1: A Atitude Burocratica
Changing a flight might perhaps be a hassle with a US Airline as well. Hassle is not a good word to describe my experience--I think a wild goose chase where misinformation abounds is more accurate. Of course, here, I employ hyperbole of the negative side in order to make the positive side that much more dramatic and cathartic. So wait until we get there.
In calling Orbitz, my travel agent, I was informed that yes, I can change my flight right here, right now. Unfortunately, I was not yet prepared to do so; I needed to review some details. So ok, fine, I call back 20 minutes later with credit card in hand to be told that I need to call the airline directly, Tam Airlines to be precise (the direct reference is necessary--ain't no one gettin' off that easy 'cept me when I see you). Ok, cool, no worries, that is understandable.
The kind Tam associate told me that there was an issue with the computer system and she could not give me any fares. She needed to put in a request to the booking department, and I was to call back in 48 hours to get my fare. Ok...was a little frustrated, but ok. All good. Here is the important part: I told her I was worried that in 2 days, the fares will have gone up, and I shouldn't have to pay the extra because I am here with card in hand ready to pay and you can't give me fares. "Fique tranquilo. Vai mudar nao." Be calm, it won't change. ISSO e Brasil. Ok, fine, Tam Woman. I'll be calm. But only for the next 48 hours. This was a Friday.
I am working on patience and I have still not arrived. I'd like to say that I did not think about it at least 33 out of those 48 hours. I'd like to say that I didn't call back exactly 48 hours later, on Sunday. But I did. This time I was greeted by a nice gentleman.
He informed me that it being Sunday, the booking department still hasn't gotten back to us yet. But the nice Tam Woman said 48 hours. But I still don't have a fare. I was not tranquilo. I told him that I needed a guarantee that my fare will not go up--that it is not my problem that your computer system is down (he was confused by this--the computer system was never down, but who knows who to believe?), that I am here ready to pay hundreds of dollars. He could not give me a guarantee. I said I needed a guarantee. He said he can't give me one, but don't worry! Be calm! It probably won't change. But that is not good enough, damnit! I need a guarantee! Do you understand?
And so it went. Finally he said "Ok I can guarantee it. Fique tranquilo." Asshole.
He told me to call back the next day.
On Monday, I called back. This time, it was Jack. I remember Jack's name, a clear American bastardization of perhaps Joao? He regretted to inform me that after 72 hours, I still did not have any fares, because the booking department only works on business days. So, it would be best if I called back in 48 hours. Poor Jack. I decided to test this guarantee I received the day before on Jack. After going through the same thing and being told to be calm cause the fares probably won't change, he finally told me that YES! My seats have been guaranteed from the beginning! Tam Woman booked me on the flight, my spots were saved, I just needed to pay and I would do that once they got the info. Why were they holding out on me? Was it some secret, or were they just trying to mess with the American? Anyways, it seemed like I finally got a competent human being. I felt relieved. But Jack also told me that if I was really anxious, I could go to a Tam agency in person and change it there. Well, I was really anxious--it is sad but I can't trust too many people. So I asked him where in Salvador was a Tam agency. He gave me an address and we hung up. There was nothing else he could help me with and he was thankful I called Tam Airlines.
I Googled the address. It was in Recife, 800 km north. Fail, Jack, fail! You failed me Jack! Damnit! Well ok. Google is a great tool. And I found the right address.
Perfect! It was really far away, but I happened to be heading down there on that very day anyways to give a guitar lesson! Here is where the story gets good.
I made a mix just for the bike ride. A throwback mix, for sure. A happy mix too. The stuff I loved as a boy that I haven't listened to for years with a few of my favorite tunes now. Worthy enough to be reproduced.
AC/DC--You Shook me all Night Long
Beatles--Oh! Darling
Alice in Chains--Rooster
M. Ward--Shangri-la
Buena Vista Social Club--De Camino a la Vereda
Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons--Stay
Bob Dylan--Visions of Johanna
Tool-Eulogy
Merle Haggard--Mama Tried
Dipset--Rubberband Man
Grateful Dead--St. Stephen (from 4/21/69 at The Ark in Boston)
Chico Buarque--A Banda
Creedence Clearwater Revival--Up Around the Bend
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg--Next Episode
Deliverance Soundtrack--Eight More Miles to Louisville
Frank Zappa and the Mothers--Son of Orange County
Wes Montgomery--D Natural Blues
Leo Kottke--The Driving of the Year Nail
Nirvana--Lithium
Sly and the Family Stone--You Can Make it if you Try
Infected Mushroom--Devil (final mix)
Yes--Yours is no Disgrace
An eclectic and lovable collection.
Man, it was so fucking good. I jetted down to that address belting out the words to each tune and I don't think a smile ever left my face. Beautiful day. I was flying. Going so fast. And just in heaven. All sweaty and loving it.
Upon arrival, a popsicle vendor was awaiting me! PICOLE! He didn't have cacau but he had caju so that was cool. Strolled on in feeling great, asked where Tam was, and the kindly secretary said that there is no Tam here. But there is an American Airlines! This address was extracted from the Tam website mesmo, folks. Luckily, shit always works out well and easy like this in Brazil, seriously*: there was a Tam office right across the street! Neat. This is why we can ficar tranquilo.
Got there and the nice lady at the desk told me I could only change tickets at the airport. To test her, I asked if I could do it over the phone. She said no. THEY ARE ALL A BUNCH OF FUCKING LIARS!! Haha. Nah, they aren't. I don't know what it is--the "be calm" culture? People don't give a shit?
Anyways. Here is the moral of this story. The hassle is not relevant, because doing something like this is a hassle no matter what country you are in. I was continuously told to chill. To relax. And I resisted so heavily. I did everything I could do to not be chill. And in the end, I was forced to be chill anyways and wait til Wednesday. And you know what happened on Wednesday? I got my flight changed for the same price it would have been if I had done it the Friday before. Why couldn't I take their advice? They know this system. They know how it works. They are a part of it. Why did I have to fight? I want to be a part too...
Cultural differences man. Shit. And you know what? I like this system! Who likes being chill? I do. I like being chill! I really do like being chill! Even better--I got an excellent mix and bike ride out of this experience. So many endorphins were released during that man I haven't been that happy in awhile.
Diferenca Cultural #2: Falta de Papel no Banheiro
This one I am going to complain about because it is completely unacceptable. I don't care how spoiled my ass is. I want to at least have the option to wipe it.
On my way to class, in a government funded university building, the urge hit me. So, naturally, I made my way to the nearest stall and sat down. Upon finishing, I reached for the toilet paper. None. If this were the first time this ever happened, ok, that is fine. But this is the norm. It is very consistent. I carry around extra toilet paper with me at all times for this very reason. Except right then. FUCK! Why haven't I learned yet?? Check before pooping!!!!!
There was someone else in the bathroom at the time. Ok, just wait til he leaves, check, and then waddle over to the adjacent stall to get paper. He leaves, I waddle, ass out, pants around ankles, and suddenly the bathroom door opens! I rush into the next stall and close the door. And.........there is no paper. Haha! I wait until he leaves. I repeated this process 3 times people, 3 times, until I finally came to the last stall, fingers crossed (because if there is no toilet paper, there is no paper towel backup. Every bathroom in this country has at least 1 empty paper towel holder, and no more than zero at least partially full ones. No joke. I have never seen a paper towel in Brazil. Only empty towel holders. This is 100% consistent no exceptions. Same with soap. Odd for such an obsessively clean culture. Personally, I don't give a shit--paranomasia completely intended)...and there was paper. Sigh of relief. For some reason, I still do not know why, I waddled back to my original stall across the bathroom and completed the process.
And guess what? There was soap.
This is not like the Tam experience. There is nothing good about this. I understand that I am spoiled. I come from a rich country. Brazil is not as rich. But it is not that poor! This is a public university bathroom in a nice part of town! There are certain expectations here. Money is not the reason why this bathroom lacked toilet paper. What is it? Lack of infrastructure? No, because there are tons of custodians around...shit, there are even security guards, they can restock if need be! I remain baffled.
A notable notable: the second I arrived under the roof of my garage that night, the sky dramatically cackled and then pelted, both done violently. I got a smile. And a break.
Diferenca Cultural #3: Nao tem alguma nota menor?
Change. It just does not really exist. First of all, exactitude is not a priority. Especially because many prices are for example 2.97 or 15.64 but there are no 1 cent pieces! Haha! The smallest denomination is 5 cents! So how do you give change for 2.97 with only 5s? You don't. But that is not the point here. The point is that exact change is generally expected. If something costs 2.50 and you don't have 2.50, it seems an excruciating pain in the ass for the cashier to reach into the drawer and count it out for you. That is their problem, not ours. Here is where it becomes our problem: If something costs 2.00, and all you have is a 10 dollar bill, forget about it. The classic response: you don't have a smaller bill? No. Well, sorry. They would actually rather lose your business than make that sort of change for you. But because the bus cannot deny people (I know this from the characters I have met on the bus), I have seen people (only Americans of course cause all Brazilians magically have exact change) get free bus fares because they only had a 20. This is problematic because the ATM only gives out 50 and 100 dollar bills. So where do you break them? Haha! I guess at the bank, but I haven't tried that yet because I am scared I will be asked if I have anything smaller.
Diferenca Cultural #4: Sapatos
Shoes here are very expensive. If you have shoes, you are probably in the upper-middle class. If you don't have shoes, you are most likely poor.
Diferenca Cultural #5: Bebendo
Drunkenness is socially unacceptable, whereas in the US, it is something to brag about. People drink all day every day, but never to get drunk. Perhaps because all beer here is practically water, at least from what I can tell without drinking it. But taste does not matter. It is temperature that matters. Beer is kept in the freezer, and each freezer has a large thermometer on the outside in plain view of the customer. If beer is anything less than practically frozen, it is deemed undrinkable. At a bar with friends a few weeks ago, the waiter said they were out of beer. When my friends asked how that could be, he just insisted they were out of beer. As my friends continued to pry, he finally told us that they had beer, and it was cold, but not cold enough and he could not serve it. He was not holding out on them--but to him, insufficiently cold beer meant no beer. He brought it anyways, reluctantly. And it was cold.
Diferenca Cultural #6: O Medo da Chuva
For a place where it rains HARD everyday for 6 months straight, people are extremely scared of rain. The city shuts down when it rains. Classes stop, businesses close, people do not leave the house. The traffic is unbearable. Today it took me an hour and a half to get to this party which would normally be 30 min. away. After I was there for awhile, I graciously told my hostess I really needed to leave. She laughed and said, "Not now, it is raining." I told her it was ok, that the bus stop was close and I would run. She gave me a cold look. Do they hate it because it happens so much and it is a grudge thing? Like Bostonians hating the cold? But I feel like we are used to the cold and have adjusted to it. I am again baffled by Brazil.
Diferenca Cultural #7: Recusa
Refusal is unacceptable. If you are offered something, like food, you had better damned well say yes. And if you say no, you are either told forcibly to take it (using the imperative verb form) or subject to the offerer pouting. It is a very generous culture, honestly. I am too sarcastic that it is even hard for me to tell the difference.
Diferenca Cultural #8: Tome Banho e Fique Cheiroso
3 showers daily is the norm. And you had better put on at least half of one of your 30 bottles of perfume or else no one will want to be near you. I get it--it is hot and people sweat! This is why no one dances with me.
Diferenca Cultura #9: Limpeza
Everything. Must. Be. CLEAN. And I mean spankin'. Bacteria is even scarier than rain. No joke. I placed a fork in the sink and then pulled it out and began to use it before it was ripped out of my hands, scrubbed vigorously with copious amounts of soap, and replaced in my grip. I was scolded, "The sink is dirty! There is bacteria! It is unhygienic!" I know I am the other extreme. I eat off the floor, I don't care. But do I ever get sick? I'm a smoker, I am tough (I think you have to know me to think I'm not a douchebag sometimes). I got the immunity of a horse.
Just NOW I was typing away, and suddenly I am being fed little crackers. As you now know, I could not refuse. But I did not feel comfortable being fed (of course, the feeder's motives were based mainly on love and care, and doting is what it is, really) So I began to take the crackers out of the feeder's hand and place them in my own mouth. But before I could get my hands on them, my wrist was slapped, because my hands are dirty! And that would be antigenico! And the hands feeding me were without bacteria, of course (why were my hands dirty? The same reason they always are. That goddamned bicycle). I continued to resist. So I was brought a plate of crackers and tongs.
Ha!
Perhaps this is similar to the fear of rain--this city is so dirty that obsessive cleanliness is a way to resist that. But the city wouldn't be so dirty if people did not litter so much! It is harrowing. Something interesting I saw yesterday: a woman of at least the middle class was washing her feet in a puddle in the street yesterday. Not even I would do that. I can't explain it. Its like putting all forms of human excrement in a blender with trash, grease, and dirt and then putting the product on your skin to make it clean.
Diferenca Cultural #10: Raca
This city is 85% black. Something really interesting: people who are clearly black will sometimes identify as "moreno," which is a tanned Latin skin tone. They do not want to be associated as black. Because here, racism is something else. I do not know what it is. But it is ok to call black people smelly or lazy or dangerous and that is not racism. The first 2 are outlandish. But unfortunately, the 3rd has statistical basis. Not because of race. Here we get into socioeconomic hierarchy and oppression of the past and I will stop.
It is of paramount importance to mention that none of these are complaints or condemnations (except #2)--just observations. Of course, it is impossible for me to remain completely neutral. I am the product of my own specific weltanschauung and I am bound to make judgments. But I speak these words with genuine attempts at acceptance and embrace. Not just to be politically correct either--I want this. I imagine sentiments are pretty similar across the board when it comes to cultural differences, ne?
*Something so wonderful about this place is that shit just always works out. You can't find a store and then you accidentally bump into someone on the street, get to talking to them, find out they own the store you are looking for, they take you there, and they give you a discount. Stuff like that is happening all the time. It allows you to go someplace, have no idea how to get there or back, but trust that it will happen easily. I was way off in God knows where yesterday and I had no idea how to get home when suddenly a bus going to my neighborhood passed and I got on. Simple as that. Things ALWAYS fall into place. You just have to have the time to let them. Schedules are useless and impossible. Cause the way these things happen is by talking to people. This culture is very much based on social interaction, which is really getting back to our human roots and I love that. In the States, if you can't get somewhere, you better have your Blackberry handy so you can look it up on Google Maps, cause you aren't going to talk to anyone and no one is gonna talk to you. Ya know? Truly, all you gotta do is ficar tranquilo...only problem is, if you need something done by a particular time, you need to struggle. But nothing is expected to be done at a particular time. Cause that is just not the way it works here.
I just finished this wonderful book, "Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice" by Mark Plotkin about a Harvard ethnobotanist (Mark mesmo) who goes to study plants with indigenous Indian tribes of the Amazon (by the way--don't fuck with me on the political correctness of the word "Indian" because that is the term he uses). One of his main arguments is that here we are, the white man, destroying this culture by cutting down the rainforest and bringing in missionaries (although he showed some benefits of missionaries too, and I appreciated the other side of this sword), and all this great shamanistic knowledge is being lost, and the pharmaceutical companies are making their millions off of the plants that these tribes have been using to cure the same ailments for thousands of years and they are seeing no profits. It is a great argument I think. And it makes me ask a lot of questions: why was it Europeans who came to colonize the Americas? Why not the other way around? Why was it not the Indians who developed these massive pharmaceutical companies to make millions? Why did the white man develop guns and not the Indians? Are guns better than bows and arrows to hunt with? What role does Christianity play in all this?
Anyways. I have been trying to work it out in my head. I think a lot of it has to do with climate. The European climate is kinda shitty and there was a lot of disease and filth in the Middle Ages. So why not seek out something new? The Amazon Indians did not need to do that--they had a beautiful warm climate and no epidemics like the Black Plague or Malaria. But why did these cultures develop differently? Why is there so much more reverence for nature in the Indians' culture? Does this have to do with climate again? Or environment? Why did Europeans develop guns and not the Amerindians? Both peoples are equally as violent. Bows and arrows are probably better for that type of hunting--they are silent. But what about killing humans? Guns are surely more effective. But why do we think of guns as progress? What if the invention of guns is devolution, for 2 reasons: 1, we kill ourselves off faster. 2, perhaps they create an unhealthy mindset, or "lower" ideals and values. And pharm companies. They are so rich, so progressive, so advanced, right? I don't think so. I think that is some devolution right there. Or what I am trying to say is, that is not necessarily progress. Pharmaceuticals are pretty detrimental--not just the companies, but the ways we abuse the drugs too. And the ways we rely on them and weaken our immune systems is devolution. Whereas these Indians are taking the same chemicals but in a manner that is harmonious with the source. I am not going to get into religion here.
This all leads me to one big question: are there genetic differences between races that result in different cultural traits? I have heard some people say absolutely there is proof and some people say no, that race does not exist and it is a social construction and only exists because of racism. And the main thing I can glean from this is: I try to put values on things always. Which is better? White or not? This is silly and impossible to evaluate. So I will just deixar la.
Speaking of which. I try to milk everything for meaning or reason. And sometimes, it just don't got it. I gotta learn to be ok with that and ficar tranquilo. Goddamn if I learn 1 thing here it will be that! My purpose. No--no purposes! Deixa la deixa la!!!!
I have been homesick lately. But I woke up this morning feeling really sad that I am leaving so soon. Shit, I am really going to miss it here. I love Brazil. It is nuts. I hate it too. But I feel that way about everywhere I have made my home, especially while I am there (when I am not I conveniently forget, always to be unpleasantly rereminded). I have made a home here. Yeah. That feels good. It is in me. I am natural here. And it will be a big change going back. I gotta get back here.
I am thankful for this healthy body.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Excitement and Subdual
I have some great things coming up in my life.
I will travel alone to the Amazon with no plans except for a flight to one city and then a flight 10 days later out of another city 700 km down the river--and the only way to get there is by boat.
I get the opportunity to show some family members my domain here in South America.
I get to spend my grandmother's birthday with her, then I get to spend the evening alone with my mother whom I haven't seen in months, then the next day I get to drive to beautiful upstate NY to see a Phish festival.
I will come back to 4th of July barbecues in my home town.
I get to road trip with my little brother and best friend down to my other home.
I will head to one of the most nourishing places on Earth for me. And there I will see many people I love and get to cook for 2 weeks.
I get to go to the beach with my mother, go backpacking with my father, and soak up the joys of Boston, MA.
I get to see Bob Weir play a solo acoustic show in a theater with only 700 capacity. And I have seats in the orchestra, right next to the sound board.
I get to relax back in VA before I start the final year of my undergraduate degree and the first year of my Master's degree at a school I love.
Looks like I have some really good things coming up in my life. I am really lucky. I am really privileged.
But I am only looking towards my future. What about now? Today? Well, I have not been present here in Salvador. When not in class, I spend my days indoors playing music or writing or watching the NBA Playoffs. Which is great--I am really nourishing my creativity and love of sports. But I have closed off from this city in a way. I am not exploring it anymore. I am not going out to be in it anymore.
So today I am asking for a spark, the same excitement that I have about my future, to strike me in this moment right now.
And really, my future is just things--great things, but things that do not have the power to make me happy. I and I only have that power.
I will travel alone to the Amazon with no plans except for a flight to one city and then a flight 10 days later out of another city 700 km down the river--and the only way to get there is by boat.
I get the opportunity to show some family members my domain here in South America.
I get to spend my grandmother's birthday with her, then I get to spend the evening alone with my mother whom I haven't seen in months, then the next day I get to drive to beautiful upstate NY to see a Phish festival.
I will come back to 4th of July barbecues in my home town.
I get to road trip with my little brother and best friend down to my other home.
I will head to one of the most nourishing places on Earth for me. And there I will see many people I love and get to cook for 2 weeks.
I get to go to the beach with my mother, go backpacking with my father, and soak up the joys of Boston, MA.
I get to see Bob Weir play a solo acoustic show in a theater with only 700 capacity. And I have seats in the orchestra, right next to the sound board.
I get to relax back in VA before I start the final year of my undergraduate degree and the first year of my Master's degree at a school I love.
Looks like I have some really good things coming up in my life. I am really lucky. I am really privileged.
But I am only looking towards my future. What about now? Today? Well, I have not been present here in Salvador. When not in class, I spend my days indoors playing music or writing or watching the NBA Playoffs. Which is great--I am really nourishing my creativity and love of sports. But I have closed off from this city in a way. I am not exploring it anymore. I am not going out to be in it anymore.
So today I am asking for a spark, the same excitement that I have about my future, to strike me in this moment right now.
And really, my future is just things--great things, but things that do not have the power to make me happy. I and I only have that power.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Aquelas Coisinhas
I see a lot of Yankee hats down here and no Red Sox hats. And I let it piss me off. These people do not even know how to play baseball.
I am doing well. But I am ready to come home. Things are not bad, I am not unhappy. But I am ready to leave now. I feel like I have seen enough of Salvador. Of course, there is much more to see. But it does not feel that way. Salvador is no longer exciting. It is just normal life. I go to class, teach classes, sleep, watch basketball...
...to cope I am exploring the city more on the bike. I am finding new ways to get to every place I go to routinely.
I suppose life is pretty normal.
I am doing well. But I am ready to come home. Things are not bad, I am not unhappy. But I am ready to leave now. I feel like I have seen enough of Salvador. Of course, there is much more to see. But it does not feel that way. Salvador is no longer exciting. It is just normal life. I go to class, teach classes, sleep, watch basketball...
...to cope I am exploring the city more on the bike. I am finding new ways to get to every place I go to routinely.
I suppose life is pretty normal.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Perkins
I have been such a raver!
When Perk got suspended last year in the Orlando series, we lost. When he got injured in the Lakers series, we lost. It all.
We were having an excellent season. WHY ON EARTH DID WE TRADE PERK IN THE MIDDLE? Cause ever since we went 16-12 and right now we are down by 10 to the Heat and the clock is winding down...
Who thought that was a good idea? Perk was our anchor. We won't get Dwight Howard either.
Fuck. Fuck man, fuck.
When Perk got suspended last year in the Orlando series, we lost. When he got injured in the Lakers series, we lost. It all.
We were having an excellent season. WHY ON EARTH DID WE TRADE PERK IN THE MIDDLE? Cause ever since we went 16-12 and right now we are down by 10 to the Heat and the clock is winding down...
Who thought that was a good idea? Perk was our anchor. We won't get Dwight Howard either.
Fuck. Fuck man, fuck.
More
I am getting wrapped up in this.
I was not sufficiently informed earlier. Apparently we went in there looking to capture him but it came down to a firefight where we killed him in self-defense. Ok, I get it.
But our reaction is...scary, immature, and frankly detrimental. Please read this article, I think it really gets at my point, and it is short:
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/05/02/osama_and_chants_of_usa
It seems like we have won for now. But maybe this is a victory for them. When it is us and them no one wins. This war is never-ending. People have reason to be worried about the repercussions of this. This is sad.
I was not sufficiently informed earlier. Apparently we went in there looking to capture him but it came down to a firefight where we killed him in self-defense. Ok, I get it.
But our reaction is...scary, immature, and frankly detrimental. Please read this article, I think it really gets at my point, and it is short:
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/05/02/osama_and_chants_of_usa
It seems like we have won for now. But maybe this is a victory for them. When it is us and them no one wins. This war is never-ending. People have reason to be worried about the repercussions of this. This is sad.
Addendum
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives,but i will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. hate cannot drive hate out hate. only love can do that."
-Martin Luther King Jr.
Bush was not cut out to be president, it just was not his calling. He may not even be a good person. But I would love to just go down to his ranch and ride horses and hang out with him for a week. I think it would be so fun chillin with W.
-Martin Luther King Jr.
Bush was not cut out to be president, it just was not his calling. He may not even be a good person. But I would love to just go down to his ranch and ride horses and hang out with him for a week. I think it would be so fun chillin with W.
Osama
Celebrating a death is so incredibly bizarre to me. I understand he was an evil man. But it is very difficult and almost sickening for me to watch people dancing in the streets hollering for joy that he is dead. It is kinda like when there were Palestinians dancing in the streets after the Twin Towers fell. I am sure they hated us and thought we were just as dangerous as we do Bin Laden. Why is this acceptable?
You know, Bin Laden absolutely should not have been a member of society anymore,; he gave up that privilege. But did we need to kill him? Why not imprison him? I understand that killing him makes more of a statement...but isn't this the death penalty? Isn't Barack Obama opposed to the death penalty? How can we reconcile this? Is this somehow different?
I do not like the attitude of revenge. We got that bastard back! That is unacceptable to me. I am glad he is not around anymore. But not for vengeful reasons. For reasons of global safety and well-being. One extremely dangerous murderer is now no longer a threat, and that is good.
I do not like Barack Obama saying "justice has been served." You stole my toy so I am gonna steal yours. You killed a bunch of Americans so I am gonna kill you, because fair is fair...how is justice served? How can one man's life pay for the thousands he took 10 years ago? It don't seem fair to me...but what does justice even have to do with it? You can never repay someone's life! There is no equivalent! Justice does not even enter the equation! Human life is so valuable that when lost there is no fair way to get it back.
I like Obama. He has made some good changes. But I do not like how moderate he behaves. I want him to be more radical. And I understand that it comes with the territory. All politicians, especially ones in is position, need to please The People. I wonder if he actually is as moderate as he behaves or if he is just putting on a show. Either way, I can't blame him for it.
I was also minimally effected by 9/11. I see revenge as an irrational emotion (a highly disputable claim). And for someone who lost their family that day, revenge seems the only option. I honestly do not know how I would feel. Perhaps more vengeful. So, of course, my perspective is seen through a lens different from someone more emotionally bound up in this whole thing.
Everywhere I go, people stop me and say "You are American, right? You must be so happy! What a victory! I am so happy too!" Brazilians are happy. But what do I say to this? I do not like celebrating death. It is good that he is gone.
Anyways. My 2 cents.
You know, Bin Laden absolutely should not have been a member of society anymore,; he gave up that privilege. But did we need to kill him? Why not imprison him? I understand that killing him makes more of a statement...but isn't this the death penalty? Isn't Barack Obama opposed to the death penalty? How can we reconcile this? Is this somehow different?
I do not like the attitude of revenge. We got that bastard back! That is unacceptable to me. I am glad he is not around anymore. But not for vengeful reasons. For reasons of global safety and well-being. One extremely dangerous murderer is now no longer a threat, and that is good.
I do not like Barack Obama saying "justice has been served." You stole my toy so I am gonna steal yours. You killed a bunch of Americans so I am gonna kill you, because fair is fair...how is justice served? How can one man's life pay for the thousands he took 10 years ago? It don't seem fair to me...but what does justice even have to do with it? You can never repay someone's life! There is no equivalent! Justice does not even enter the equation! Human life is so valuable that when lost there is no fair way to get it back.
I like Obama. He has made some good changes. But I do not like how moderate he behaves. I want him to be more radical. And I understand that it comes with the territory. All politicians, especially ones in is position, need to please The People. I wonder if he actually is as moderate as he behaves or if he is just putting on a show. Either way, I can't blame him for it.
I was also minimally effected by 9/11. I see revenge as an irrational emotion (a highly disputable claim). And for someone who lost their family that day, revenge seems the only option. I honestly do not know how I would feel. Perhaps more vengeful. So, of course, my perspective is seen through a lens different from someone more emotionally bound up in this whole thing.
Everywhere I go, people stop me and say "You are American, right? You must be so happy! What a victory! I am so happy too!" Brazilians are happy. But what do I say to this? I do not like celebrating death. It is good that he is gone.
Anyways. My 2 cents.
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