Morgan and Phill - Brasília

o    Today, we are going to interview Morgan and Phill L. They are American diplomats, and have been living in Brasilia for about one year. Dear Morgan and Phill, it’s so nice hearing from you. We, your former instructors, miss you a lot! Please let us know when you are planning on coming to DC, OK? Fiquemos em contato! 

Luso: How have you been? How is your life in Brasilia? Some people affirm that Brasilia compared to São Paulo and Rio is a little bit boring, is it true?

o    Morgan: it depends on what you think is exciting, but yes, in general one needs to be more self-driven to find things to do here. Outdoor activities are plentiful and affordable. We have gone paddle boarding and kayaking on the lake, and swimming at the nearby Parque Nacional. There are big malls and lots of open markets, so I think it’s comparable to RJ and SP in that way. I don’t know much about the club scene here, but I do know there is a club scene.

o    Phill: To be honest, I haven’t been to São Paulo yet, but Rio is certainly one of the more exciting places on earth. Brasilia is a strange city, but it has its charms. The weather is quite good for most of the year - blue skies and not too hot or cold. So, Brasilia can be a pretty exciting place if you are into outdoor activities. There are places to hike, bike, swim, play sports, etc.

Luso: Brasilia is very famous for having beautiful buildings and parks. Have you chosen a favorite place in Brasília? What would you suggest to someone who wants to explore the city?

o    Morgan: Parque da Cidade is a great people-watching place. There are always people playing futevôlei and jogging, and there’s an amusement park and go-kart course open on the weekends. It is quite lively but enormous. You could always find a secluded spot for a picnic.

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Phill: The architecture in Brasilia is interesting. Everyone who comes here should take a drive around the Esplanade dos Ministerios. The Palacio do Itamaraty is one of the better looking buildings. O Sanctuario do Dom Bosco is also a stunning place from inside.

Luso: What about food? Do you have a favorite dish and/or a favorite restaurant?

o    Morgan: I find myself returning to La Boulangerie (a french bakery) frequently. It’s got a neighborhood feeling to it, and they have a small evening buffet with good soups and other hot dishes. Their Pain de Mie is some of the best bread I’ve ever had. I’ve heard that Churrascaria Potencia is the best rodizio in town.

o    Phill: The restaurant scene in Brasilia is a bit limited. There are nice places to eat, but it is very expensive. There are a lot of good bakeries though.

Luso: Since Brasilia is the capital of Brazil, like Washington-DC, everything is surrounded by Politics. How do you define the presence of Politics in your daily life?

o    Morgan: Much like DC, there exists a large divide between the average citizen and those involved in politics. Most non-politicians I’ve met say that all the politicians and the government are corrupt, and don’t seem hopeful things will change. The average Brazilian is focused on making sure her children get the opportunities she did not. The politicians, on the other hand, seem to be highly educated, well paid, and generally happy with the current state of Brazil.

o    Phill: The thing to realize about Brasilia and Brazilian politics is that the politicians make so much money - most government employees make substantially more than their US counterparts with similar experience. This makes Brasilia a very wealthy place. Everyone lives behind gates and in guarded apartment buildings. So, it can be difficult to have a lot of interactions with people.