Small Steps: Going Ex-Pat

As I wrote a couple weeks ago (see post Brazil’s Progress), I recently returned from 4 weeks visiting back in the US. Although I really enjoyed spending time with my family and friends, in the end I was ready to return to Brazil, which I now view as home.

Returning to Rio caused me to reflect on how much things have changed in the last 15 months. Or, perhaps, how much I have changed.

When I first arrived in Rio 15 months ago, I had a small room rented for a week and a list of schools to contact about jobs teaching English. Everything I had brought fit into two suitcases and a backpack.

How different my life is today! I live in a great place near Copacabana Beach, I no longer work for any schools but have all private students, and, unfortunately, I have again acquired a bunch of stuff – though not like when I had an entire house to fill.

All this happened via a series of small steps.

When I first came, I had to do many things initially: look for a permanent place to live, get a cell phone, look for work. But within two weeks, all of these things were handled. After that, things seemed to happen naturally, in the course of time.

Soon I had mastered the metro system, and with a bit more time, I learned the buses. In particular, I learned to ride the 125 / Central bus only as a last resort! (A 125 bus actually flipped onto its side last year when the driver tried to take a cloverleaf at an excessive speed. Rio’s buses could make an interesting post.)

I built a circle of friends, lost friends as some returned home, and found new ones.

After one false start, in which my application disappeared into the ether, I obtained my CPF, which is the equivalent of a social security card. It was a lesson in navigating Brazilian bureaucracy (Brazil raises bureaucracy to a fine art), but I prevailed.

Soon after, I obtained my provisional residence. Next month, I should receive my national identity card. After that, I can apply for regular work if I so choose.

Throughout all this, my Portuguese has steadily improved, if not as rapidly as I’d like. Last night I was out with three Brazilian friends and during the course of perhaps 5 hours spoke almost entirely in Portuguese. Being able to chat, argue, and joke in another language is a joy. Having another language opens up new worlds.

I officially went ex-pat October 31st, 2008. But the process continues, small step by small step.

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