São Paulo Update

Ok, here is my update with all the crap I am supposed to be doing this week while I am here:

1. Register with Policia Federal - All permanent residents must register with the federal police. They basically collect all the same information as the visa application. I have a feeling this is going to be a royal pain to accomplish. Adamo called several times to figure out what documents I needed to register and was repeatedly told I just need 2 passport-type photos (only a little smaller) and my visa with copies. Nothing could ever be that simple! When we arrived at the police station, I about had a heart attack: the room was filled with people waiting. But, apparently the room is used for many different purposes and when we got into the right line, there were only 2 people in front of us. As I said before, I am staying with one of Adamo's friends, who is fluent in English. He translated for me what the officer was telling me: I need a copy of EVERY page in my passport that has any stamp or document on it, the original or a certified copy of Adamo's RNE (a Brazilian ID card), payment of R$124,23 and R$64,58, 2 photos, their application form filled out, and my visa application form. I happened to have every one of those things except Adamo's document. So, we are spending more money for him to Fed-Ex the document to me overnight, which amounts to about 4 days. That leaves me only Wednesday and Thursday to register since I am leaving Thursday night. Unfortunately, if I do not register, I will not be allowed to come back into the country. Ugh...
2. Get my CPF card: This is the equivalent of a SS card in the US. I applied for this at the consulate and they assured us that it was relatively simple to get. It takes about 8 weeks for the number to be ready, then we can go online and look it up. We were able to look up the number with no problem. The instructions to get the actual card is to go into the Banco do Brasil and they will either give the card to me or mail it to me. When we tried to do this, the people at the bank insisted that the government will mail it to me and they don't really have anything to do with it. UHHHHH???? We will see who is correct in a few months... They were nice enough to print the page from their system for me and supposedly I am able to use the paper until I receive my card.
3. Reserve an apartment/flat for us to stay in while in São Paulo: It is very hard to find something here that has both internet and a kitchen and not be super expensive. Adamo gave me a few places to look at, but only one had both an internet connection and a semi-kitchen. It is in an okay area and is not fancy, but it is enough for us for a little while. But, of course there was a hitch: the apartment Adamo called about was available earlier last week, but when I went there, it was not available until July 27th. So, we will be in a smaller room for about 10 days when we get there. Oh well. I did actually get this chore accomplished, so I guess 1 out of 3 is not so bad.

First Trip to São Paulo

Ok, I have been here before, so it's not really my first trip. I was here when my oldest daughter was about 6 months old; she's turning 8 this year. Where does the time go? But, in Brazil, not much has changed in the 7 years of my absense.

This was a last minute trip, so I didn't have time to plan anything. We weren't ready to move at the time we were supposed to, so we moved the dates into July. The only problem with that is I need to use my visa ASAP or else it won't be valid anymore and I will have to pay for a new one. Adamo booked the trip, and here I am! I got back from Oregon at about 2:00 Tuesday morning and I flew out Thursday morning (after getting crowns put in on Wednesday). Yeah, bit of a rush for packing!

I will be honest and say that I was dreading this trip. Going some where you don't speak the language, without the husband who does, is a little intimidating. I didn't even really get a chance to review the things I learned in Portuguese. While I was sitting at the airport, I realized that I'd forgotten my phrase book. I searched every store in the vacinity, top to bottom, with no luck. I did panic a little after that, since there was no real way for me to review now. My thought was to spend the 8 hours on the plane trying to relearn what my brain forgot in the last month I didn't even touch learning Portuguese. Then I realized that I would be sitting next to someone who invariably knew Portuguese. I was bound and determined to step out of my comfort zone and practice my Portuguese with the poor soul who would be sitting next to me. I figured the person wouldn't mind, since Brazilians like to talk to everyone and don't mind helping when it is needed.

After sitting in my seat, I thought it was strange that the man next to me didn't even say hello. In my mind, I came to the conclusion that maybe he didn't speak English. This, while all around me people are chatting happily away to the strangers next to them. While the flight attendants were passing out drinks and asked in Portuguese what we wanted for our "bebidas", he didn't understand and asked her to speak in English. Great. I was sitting next to the only other person on the plane who did not speak Portuguese! Ok, so no practicing my inferior language skills on the plane for me...

Towards the end of the flight, I got pretty worried and anxious. What if my visa doesn't work? Tourist visas are much more common than permanent resident visas. If I get stopped by customs or immigration, how will I communicate? I'm pretty sure they don't know that much English. I filled out the required customs and immigration forms and had butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Again, the language barrier had me more than concerned.

Immigration was the first stop, even before I got my luggage. I thought it was kind of ironic when the line for "Brasileiros" was a mile long and the "Estrangeiros" was very short. When it was my turn, the woman smiled and told me "Oi" and I handed her my passport. Apparently, the first time you go in with a permanent resident visa, it takes a LONG time to type things in! I was watching all the other people in my line fly right through while she is typing and clicking on her computer. I got a little worried, but she didn't seem to be, so I tried not to panic. Then, she gave me my passport and I was on my way.

At the luggage carousel, Brazilian Machismo was putting on a show. A passenger was in the middle of a screaming match with one of the airline workers. I think he was upset at the way his bag was handled; I thought it was pretty funny. My bags came out after a few minutes, and I was on my way to customs. This was the part I really dreaded. I have heard horror stories about the officers going through your clothes and charging you for anything new. Since I had my laptop, I was already over the "new" limit. But, I handed my form to the woman working at the desk and she waved my through.

Luckily, I am staying with my husband's friend and his wife. He speaks English, and she can get by with what she knows. They were there and waiting for me, so there were no incidents in the airport with my having to try to use my suckish Portugues. They have been extremely accomodating and have been driving me around to do all the bureaucratic crap I have to do on my first visit. More on that adventure later...