Independence Day Interlude

Happy Independence Day to everybody in the US! I’ve decided to celebrate by wearing my Captain America shirt and making a list of my top 5 favorite things about Brazil (so far)!

5. The food

I’m going to start with the obvious here, because I almost feel like this goes without saying – but I’m going to say it anyways. I looooove the food here. Pictures don’t do it justice, but it’s the best I’ve got:

Pastel

Brigadeiro

Pamonha

4. The music

So, they maybe told us that Luan Santana was the “Brazilian Justin Bieber,” and I’ve had Camaro Amarelo (by a different artist, but just as fun) stuck in my head for three days now. This music is great. Even if I’m not really sure what they’re saying?

This type of music belongs to a genre of Brazilian music called “sertaneja,” which is kind of like Brazilian country music. The music that our friends were adamant that we get to know is called “sertaneja universitário,” which is like country music for the younger generation. You know, cool people 🙂

Just google Luan Santana. You’ll be glad you did.

3. Festa Junina

So June is a big month in Brazil, because there are three separate Saints’ Days in the month, so the whole month is basically one big party.

In São Paulo state, the tradition is to emulate what we might fondly call “rednecks” or “hicks” and throw big country parties. There’s also a lot of traditional Festa Junina food that we’ve gotten to try out, including caramel apples and something that tastes like peanut brittle. In addition, the hospital has been decorated with colorful flags that just make everywhere so happy!

Flags hanging in the hospital cafeteria

Last Friday, the hospital held a big party for all it’s employees (they do this every 3 months – such a cool tradition), and it was roughly Festa Junina themed, though we were told that real Festa Junina parties involve a lot more costumes. Still we donned our plaid shirts and blue jeans, and danced the night away to sertaneja!

2. Hospital de Câncer de Barretos

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the work that’s being done at this hospital is unbelievable. The fact that they worked their way up from nothing into this incredible spread of treatment, prevention, and research is pretty amazing. You can see how dedicated they are to their patients, to the people of Barretos, and even to the whole country of Brazil. It’s really quite inspiring.

1. The people

Of course, the hospital wouldn’t be what it is without the people who work there. I can’t say enough good things about literally every single person we’ve met. We’ve been invited into people’s homes, introduced to their families, and treated like old friends. Here, just look at some pictures: