October 3rd 2008
Feels like the 50's, the 1950's
Brazil is full of contradictions. The Northeast of Brazil even more so, as we are told. The northeast is very poor, and not as developed or advanced as other parts of Brazil, so we are not sure if this time warp can be felt all over Brazil, or if it is just localized to where we are now. Here are a few examples.
They have very modern looking buildings and architecture, but for example, the sink fixtures are very primitive, with only a simple turn dial for on and off, and no hot water at the sink. The only place you get hot water, is from the electricity heated shower, which is also extremely dangerous.
They have building standards, but they are not enforced or followed. Their idea of a handicap enabled entrance is to put a ramp in a location that is inaccessible by a wheel care.
While many places have plasma or lcd big screen tvs, the doctors' office has a scale that could have been used to weigh Jesus, and a fetal monitor / doppler that was the size of a small car (over exaggeration, but you get the idea), and was probably first used by the navy as a sonar device to locate mines.
They are trying very hard bring the country up to first world standards, like with new laws for drunk driving (dry law - zero tolerance), as well as car seats for kids (they are so over priced, that many people can't afford this safety for their children). It is actually funny to watch the commercials on TV now that are meant to educate people about being considerate. They show a women who instead of walking by a piece of trash, picks it up and disposes of it, another person walking their bike across the street instead of riding it, and so forth. There are about 4 or 5 other acts of courtesy or consideration for others that they are trying to get across to the populace. It is interesting to see this initiative under way and I hope it helps mature this destination. I have not seen so much litter anywhere in the world before, and it would improve the image of Brazil considerably if people just properly disposed of their trash. I think with this new consideration awareness and access to information, this destination can really establish itself in the 21st century, or at least catch up to the rest of the 20th.
They have very modern looking buildings and architecture, but for example, the sink fixtures are very primitive, with only a simple turn dial for on and off, and no hot water at the sink. The only place you get hot water, is from the electricity heated shower, which is also extremely dangerous.
They have building standards, but they are not enforced or followed. Their idea of a handicap enabled entrance is to put a ramp in a location that is inaccessible by a wheel care.
While many places have plasma or lcd big screen tvs, the doctors' office has a scale that could have been used to weigh Jesus, and a fetal monitor / doppler that was the size of a small car (over exaggeration, but you get the idea), and was probably first used by the navy as a sonar device to locate mines.
They are trying very hard bring the country up to first world standards, like with new laws for drunk driving (dry law - zero tolerance), as well as car seats for kids (they are so over priced, that many people can't afford this safety for their children). It is actually funny to watch the commercials on TV now that are meant to educate people about being considerate. They show a women who instead of walking by a piece of trash, picks it up and disposes of it, another person walking their bike across the street instead of riding it, and so forth. There are about 4 or 5 other acts of courtesy or consideration for others that they are trying to get across to the populace. It is interesting to see this initiative under way and I hope it helps mature this destination. I have not seen so much litter anywhere in the world before, and it would improve the image of Brazil considerably if people just properly disposed of their trash. I think with this new consideration awareness and access to information, this destination can really establish itself in the 21st century, or at least catch up to the rest of the 20th.
Abby @ 4 years, 9 months, 19 days
Zoë @ 4 years, 9 months, 19 days
Enzo @ 9 days
News posted by christopher at 10:42 AM | 
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