MineirinhaUai
Introduction
I am a Brazilian who lived in the US for almost a decade, spent some time in Spain and is finally returning home to Belo Horizonte. I hope to survive the reverse culture shock I am sure awaits me back home by discovering what BH has to offer beyond the 12,000 bars and nightclubs... Wish me luck! I have joined this site hoping to keep in touch with foreigners who would like to meet up to practice English and Spanish or "trocar figurinhas" (exchange note cards) on our experiences in Brazil and abroad... What the Times has to say about BH: http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/travel/28next.html
I joined expat.com on 06 January 2010.
Expat experience
I came to DC after graduating from college looking for a job. I found that and much more as I discovered all the wonderful things this city has to offer and the great variety of people it attracts.
I love the cultural options DC has to offer, from the Screen on the Green at the National Mall, the Jazz Series at the Sculpture garden in the summer, the Hirshhorn After Hours events, the international film festivals, the concerts from musicians from around the globe to the monuments, bars, lounges, restaurants and people.
DC can be too political and purpose-filled sometimes. After 40 plus hours at the office the last thing I want to discuss is what i do for a living, which is Washigntonians favorite way of starting a conversation.
Student living in Spain was GLORIOUS! I did a business study abroad program in Sevilla and loved every minute of it. I greatly improved my Spanish, learned a lot about Spanish culture and life style. I would LOVE to have the opportunity of living there again someday...
Loved the FOOD, the flamenco shows, the botellones, the people, the sights, etc... I loved to sit by the Guadalquivir in the afternoon, next to the Torre De Oro and just people watch, or watch the river go by, draw the sculptures along the river or the river itself. I also loved the historic Barrio de Santa Cruz, la Catedral and, of course, Plaza de Espana.I highly recommend the flamenco show at the Carboneria. I was not drinking when I went to Spain but I hear the "agua de sevilla" is delicious.
The city was a bit dirty compared to the abnormally clean streets of DC but as a Brazilian I was just fine. You might have to jump a few "land mines", as we called the little "regalitos" the carriage horses left the pedestrians across the city, but you should have a PHENOMENAL time.
