Luso: Maura, it’s great hearing from you. How have you been? Could you please tell us if you have noticed any major difference between your American life style and your life in Recife?
Maura: Laura, all the differences so far have been manageable, although a little hard to adjust to in the beginning. It's a little more difficult to arrange for services like Internet in Recife than it is in the US, but the quality of service we have is comparable. Things tend to move at a slower pace here, and there's definitely a cultural consensus that life doesn't revolve around work, and that family is very important. Both of us have been amazed and happy about how quickly our Brazilian friends and colleagues have included us in their lives and how close we have become. There have been many places I've lived in the US where I didn't even know my neighbor's names. That's not true here, and it's great!
Luso: Do you have a favorite place in Recife? What about the beaches? I heard that they are absolutely amazing!
Maura: The beaches ARE amazing, and we are not very far from Porto de Galinhas, which has some of the most incredible beaches in the WORLD. My favorite place, though, is anywhere on the Avenida, where I can sit outside, people-watch *and* ocean-watch, and eat as much fried shrimp as is humanly possible. And of course, drink a caipirinha or two, if you like that sort of thing! Recife is a very old city, and there are several neighborhoods full of colonial architecture, some of which is being restored. Less than 7 miles from Recife is the city of Olinda, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and not to be missed.
Luso: What about the Northeast food? Some of your colleagues are going to live in Recife, they would love to know more about the famous Notheast food. Do you have any suggestions?
Maura: Oh, the food! I already mentioned the fried shrimp, but there is so much more. If you're a steak-lover, Brazil in general is heaven. Carne de sol is everywhere in the Northeast, as is farofa. Coxinhas of varying kinds (shrimp, chicken, beef) are a very popular snack food. Pão de queijo has always been a favorite for me. Recife also has many restaurants that serve really good seafood, and several that serve a mean moqueca. Crab dishes are also common. And I can't forget to mention feijoada with couve and orange slices.
Luso: Nordestinos are famous for being very creative and having a very rich vocabulary. By the way, that fact motivated some linguists and writers to create dictionaries for some words and expressions used only in the Northeast states. Have you learned any new words or expressions that you would like to share with us?
Maura: My favorite, all-purpose new word has to be "Eita!" which, depending on how you say it can mean anything from "Wow!" to "You have GOT to be kidding me" to "Watch out!" In the south of Brazil, many people use "Viu" as an emphasis at the end of a statement or question, like "Obrigada, viu?" which means, roughly, "Thanks a lot, really." Nordestinos use "visse" instead of "viu" I've also learned a couple of "inappropriate for professional conversations" expressions that are very rich….but won't be mentioned here!
Luso: This area is also very rich in terms of music. Have you already danced FORRÓ or any other rhythm? How was the experience?
Maura: Sadly, I have two left feet, and although I would love to dance, my feet refuse to cooperate. But Nordestino music is toe-tapping and energetic, and fun to listen to, even if you can't dance. If you can - even better!
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