Gym culture, a pretty library, and the least religious Easter ever

An update on life in a somewhat organized list form!

1. Women wear the most impractical spandex outfits to the gym ever. One-piece spandex outfits. With crazy patters, cut outs, and designs. I also don’t know how they pee.

2. Easter here is the most non-religious holiday I’ve ever experienced. Today is Easter and I haven’t heard Jesus’ name once (woohoo!) but I have been given a chocolate egg with turtle tattoos inside and seen the lines people stand it at chocolate shops to buy gourmet chocolate eggs. And the rafters at grocery stories are covered in hanging chocolate eggs. I’m very content with Easter here in Brazil, and don’t feel the least bit left out! I’m very much looking forward to wearing my temporary turtle tattoos!

3. I started doing some research in the Biblioteca Nacional this week. I think it was the perfect place to start my work because a) its RIGHT by/at the metro b) they had exactly what I was looking for c) it’s a beautiful century+ old building d) a nice guy helps me put my microfilm on the machine every day e) it’s slightly too cold (note to self, bring a sweater next time).

4. My internet was down for almost a week—it was painful, but I survived. I’m a trooper…hahah right.

5. Went to a churrascaria last night for the first time on this trip. It was so delicious. Meat down here tastes much better than in the US. And it’s such a fun experience eating it!

6. The weather is supposed to be rainy and cloudy all week—perfect weather for the archives!!

7. I made brigadeiro, a Brazilian sweet, from scratch. I was/am very proud!! Brigadeiro, according to wikapedia is, "The candy is made by mixing sweetened condensed milk,butter and cocoa powder together".

8. More blogs soon! I’m learning that list form allows me to write blogs much quicker—so get used to them!!

Tchauzinho!