I am legal! Que legal!

Hello all,

The wheels do turn, especially when you know someone who knows someone, and yesterday I was approved for permanent residency here in Brasil. This is basically like getting a green card. I am not a full citizen, and I can’t vote. However, barring any bad behavior on my part (and I am much tamer these days!), I will be allowed to stay. I can apply for a carteira de trabalho, which is a work card. I can apply for citizenship down the road. Oh, and I get to pay taxes. Yay! Well, as the man said, the only thing certain in life is death and taxes.

My friends – both gringos and Brasilians – often ask me why I moved to Brasil. To my gringo friends, I say, “Come down and visit. See what Brazil is truly like.” To my Brasilian friends, I say, “No, Brasil isn’t perfect, but what country is? Brasil has many good qualities, and the future here looks bright.”

I fell in love with Brasil on my first visit. You can read about that first visit in some of my earliest posts here on JIB. The beauty of this country is matched only by the beauty of her people, who, among other qualities, have an unshakeable optimism which is contagious.

And, if you are dissatisfied where you are, there are opportunities here. Brasil needs many professionals, with engineers and English teachers topping the list. There are also opportunities to do business here.

I think the future here is bright. The present isn’t so bad either. Brasil isn’t perfect, but I have chosen to make her my home.

Am I crazy? Maybe, but I am certainly not alone. The line at the Federal Police yesterday stretched way down the hall. Some people had slept there the night before in pursuit of their chance to become permanent residents of Brasil.

Maybe we are all crazy. Or maybe we simply know something that you don’t.

John
Still in Brasil, and staying

PS for my gringo readers: Que legal! is slang here for “How cool!” A little inside joke.

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