Last year, when we arrived here, I immediately noticed a cultural difference: it seems everyone owns a bike. In fact, probably more people here own bikes than cars. Our town isn't really all the big (just under 18,000), but it was still shocking to me to see so many people riding their bikes. The cultural difference is that most of those people are not riding for exercise. They are riding out of necessity. They don't have a choice. Most families here might own one car at the most. Owning two is very rare.
When I was teaching the English class last week, one of the students commented that he was surprised when he went to the States to see so few bicycles on the road. Everyone was driving a car. Funny that he and I noticed the same cultural difference.
Well, fast forward a year. The Schrag family owns one car. We have only owned one car the entire time we've lived here. What I thought might be a hassle has actually worked out quite nicely. Sure, we have to coordinate our schedules every day, but it's not that big of a deal. A few days ago we made an appointment for a mechanic to check out the brakes on our car. The appointment was this morning, and although they had told us it would take half the day, I planned not to see my car for the entire day. Actually, I realized I wouldn't be surprised if my car wasn't returned to me at all today!
The mechanic gave Emma and me a ride home. I had class at 9. I figured I could walk, run, or ride my bike. It was late enough that I couldn't walk and I didn't feel like getting all sweaty and gross before class, so I jumped on my bike and rode off into the sunset. It's less than a mile to the building where I have class. I felt so Brazilian. I didn't feel awkward, unless you count the fact that Emma's seat is on the back of my bike and she wasn't in it. I had my class and rode my bike home. No big deal.
I wasn't feeling in the mood to make lunch so I asked Emma if she wanted to go to the hotel to eat. She was so excited and I was too! It was almost noon. We put on shoes and jackets and I grabbed the car keys and walked out into the garage. It was empty. Crap. I had so quickly forgotten about the car. I debated for a minute whether or not I wanted to ride my bike to the hotel with Emma on back. Then I figured it would be great exercise and a way to really "feel" more cultural. I was a little sweaty when we arrived, due to the loooonnnggg hill I had to climb for the last 1/2 mile. We had a great lunch and saw quite a few familiar people. It was well worth it! Funny how I'm writing a whole post (way too detailed, I know) about my day of bike-riding and it's simply life for most people here. It's just life. It's not a big deal to go a day without a car, or a few years for that matter. People walk. People ride their bikes. People don't complain about having to do so because it's just life. And it's OK. I was OK. My car was returned to me around 7pm tonight. I had gone for a run with Emma in the stroller and wondered if anyone was going to call me about the car. After we came home and started supper, the mechanic brought it back to me. I wasn't worried. I figured it would be good for me if I had to ride my bike for a few days!
Anyway, today I felt a little more Brazilian.
Oh ya, and Emma and I have been playing soccer in the house.
