Into the groove

Den visited this week. Den is a friend from New York. We worked together in the late 90's at Emporio Armani. I have seen him on and off at the bars and clubs in New York ( Splash and the Roxy ). He called me and said he was staying in an apartment in Ipanema. I took a bus the next day and went to the gay beach. He wasn't there so I walked to the apartment. I told the door guy my name but the owner of the apartment did not accept me. I started walking back down the side walk and Den came out yelling my name. He hadn't recognized my name through the doorman's accent. He went back up and got some of this things and we went to the beach. Toni was working but came to meet us afterwords. The sun was out. Winter in Rio has not been very cold or rainy so far. We then all went to lunch at our favorite Ipanema restaurant.



Monday night me and Toni met Samuel and went to a party that was held in a hotel on Copacabana beach. We stayed until four in the morning. It was funny because at the end of the night they served a breakfast upstairs so everybody just left the dance floor, went upstairs and ate and then left. They had tea, coffee and Juice. Portuguese bread with cheese and ham. And bowls of fruits, apples, pairs and bananas.



Toni worked a few times during the week. I went shopping and got us a new Coffee maker, frying pan and soap dish. Toni finally starting going to English class again and I helped him study the one night. Next week the big mission will be to find me a language teacher.

Red tape....finished.

Today me and Toni went to the airport to finish with our paper work. We went early so we thought we would get in quickly. Instead we waited 4 hours. But they gave out 46 number and we got number 42 so the people that came in the afternoon could't get an appointment. We went to the same agent that we saw that last times. He is very nice and helpfull. We showed him all our documents. Everthing was good. He finaly gave us a slip of paper with my picture. It is basicaly my temporary visa. It is good until my Permanant visa comes in 2 years. I also have to get a stamp every 180 days. The good news Is that I can do everything I need to do until then. I can get a job, bank account and drive in Rio. I did have to apply at the Department of work but they said I would get a card and be able to work in 30 days. I guess It is time to look for a Language school now.

We went and got groceries afterwords. Toni made steak and pasta for dinner. Toni is of course very excited that I don't have to leave tomorrow. SO the adventure continues...

Red tape...red tape...

The last three days have been kind of hellish. I have until next Tuesday to finish all my paperwork for my permanent visa. The last three days we have gone to the immigration department that is run by Polica federeis ( Federal Police ) that is located at the airport. The airport from our house is about $35 reias. There is a bus that goes to and from Copacabana that is $8 reais but it does take awhile because it also stops at the local airport and runs through centro.
When we get there we take a number and it usually takes us about 2 hours to talk to someone.

This is basically what they require for a gay couple wanting a permanent visa ( When one is a estranghero ..or foreigner )

A form with your info...name ..birthdate..parents name...visa info...etc

A letter basically telling your history with the other person...when you met ...how long...basicaly a one page essay...filled our by the Brazilian ( Toni in my case ).

Proof of marriage from another country ( which does not work for Americans...since it is not legal here ) or
Certificate from a judge...which we don't have...or
declaration of civil union....Bingo....that we do have of the following.

and then

Proof that we are dependent on each other...or..
certificate of a religious ceremony...nope..we don't have that either...or
Proof that we purchase or rent and apartment together...which we do have from this group.
or A bank account together...which is impossible because Brazilian banks don't give account to foreigners.

A letter from the Brazilian that he will be responsible for the other person

Proof of work...which Toni had to provide ...that he can provide for us.

Copy of Toni's Identification and a copy of my complete passport.

Proof that the foreign person is not a criminal ( which is the FBI form that I spent the last three months getting...and it has to be within the last 90 days )

You have to pay $102 tax. ( you have to download the form by Internet and pay in a bank )

The foreign person has to write a letter claiming he is not married in his home country.

2 pictures ( passport style ) 0f foreigner and one of the Brazilian.

All copies of forms need to be legalized in a Notary office....Everything. And the notary office is usually a nice hour wait. We have all spent a fair amount of time in Toni's bank and a copy center.

We are close ...but we won't be able to go again till Monday...which is cutting it short when the deadline is Tuesday. I can't of had a little argument with Toni because some of this could of been done while I was in New York. We have basically done everything in the last few days...as well as fill about our health insurance forms and translate my FBI form. This was one of the times when the Brazilian relaxed way of life is really driving me crazy. But if everything goes well I everything will be done....and I just have to wait for my visa to actually come.

World Cup Fever.

I have been in Brazil for a week now. The city is crazy with World cup fever. The matches are playing all the time on TV. Friday the 25th Brazil played against Portugal. We invited some people over but only a neighbor from across the street was able to come. Both teams played well and no goals were made. We ended up pretty much drinking all day though.



Saturday evening we went to a birthday party for the sister of Rita Ribera. Rita is a pretty popular singer here....check her out on You Tube sometime. We drank a lot this night too. There was also a chef making dishes from the Northeast. I had a bowl with rice and a thick yellow soup with shrimp. A miracle has happened and I actually am understanding a lot more of what people are saying. Maybe the three months away from Brazil let my brain absorb some things. The party was the usual cast of characters. A lot of people were smoking pot in the back room ( not that I had any ). We got home pretty late that night.



Sunday we woke up late and got ready for the next big game. Toni's friend samuel invited us to a churrasco at his apartment a block away from Copacabana beach. We went to the supermarket and got beer and Cachasa right when It was closing. A lot of businesses and supermarket close for the Brazilian matches because EVERYONE is watching the game. There was about fifteen of us watching the game. The match began at about 3:30pm. Everyone dresses in Brazilian colors for the game. You will also see lots of flags and green and yellow decorations all over the place during world cup. Toni made us Caiparinhas and I had three and then switched to beer. Brazil won by three goals over Chile. Every time they scored everyone jumped, danced and screamed. During half time we played dance music and danced the whole time.



After the game we strayed and went to Le Boy bar with samuel. They had Karaoke night and Toni sang one song. We had just a few beers. At around 11pm we left for home. The next time we went to Copacabana to get our papers ready for immigration. We made copies of a lot of our documents and had to pay to get my visa and entry card copied and then legalized with a notary stamp. Tomorrow we are going to the Federal Police at the airport to see if we can go ahead and apply for my visa. If we can we will apply...or at least see what I am lacking. We are both kind of nervous because I don't have many days left on my tourist visa.

Friday is Brazil's next games. England beat Portugal today by one goal. Hopefully my visa paperwork will be done and I will be able to enjoy the game.

Back to Rio...

I made it to Rio ok. I left Sunday morning bright and early. I was a little hung over because I went to dinner and then drinks with Andrew and Yeidy. The fligth was 10 hours and landed directly in Rio. I saw about 4 filmes but none of them were that great. Toni met me at the airport. I had to buy a playstaion 3 for Jinata, our landlady, who was so excited she was waiting for us at home. We took a taxi because Toni had been drinking beer while he was waiting.

After some unpacking me and Toni had dinner. Toni had made a large whole baked chicken with potatoes. We also had rice and beans. We then had some whiskeys and red bulls. We stayed up talking and I played one of the video games I brought.

The next day we woke up late and had lunch. We then went into Copacabana to run errands. Toni had to get a lease that we need for our paperwork legalized at the office of Registry. We also had to drop off my FBI document to the transaltor who is friends with Toni's friend Romulado. We then went to visit Apracida. I had bought a bottle of Pablo Picasso perfume for her at duty free. I met her husband for the first. After our visit it was getting late so we went home and made dinner and watched a horror movie that I had brought from america. It was touristas and is about a doctor who kidnappes toursists and robs their organs. Toni likes horror movies and I figured he would enjoy the Northeast brazilian setting.

The next day we woke up and in the afternoon a lady came to sign us up for a health plan. Medical treatment is free in Brazil..but if you want better care without waiting in lines forever it is a good idea to get a health plan. Also we need it as one of our requirements for my visa. Entering the country I was given 16 days to arrange total to apply for my visa. We are both kind of nervous to get eveything done but we are getting closer to having everything done.

The last day....( again )

Today is my last day in New York ...well again. I said all my Good byes before...but here I am doing it again. I lived at Jenny and Nishas for 2 months so I am sure they are ready to have there spare room back. I enjoyed working at Etro again. The new people were really great...Zack and Jr. And it was great working with Brenda, John, Jacob and Vanessa again. It was really great getting a paycheck again. But it is time to leave.

Toni has obviously been anxious for my return. My short couple weeks trip turned into three months. I have my FBI document so I just need to get in translate in Brazil. We have to get my health insurance and then hopefully we can apply for my permanent visa.

My flight is at 10am in the morning tomorrow on TAM. It is a direct flight and I will arrive in RIO around 9 at night. Toni will be waiting for me. I hope to begin blogging a little more regularly then.

I had some good times with my friends Tony, Yeidy and Andrew. I look forward to seeing them in Brazil or when I visit New York again. Good bye New york....I love you!

17 days left....

Time is starting to get a little quicker. I have 17 days left until I return to Brazil. I have my document. I have had it legalized by the Brazilian consulate. I have been going out with friends. I went out to dinner with Tony and his boyfriend Chris one night. I went to see a DJ with my friend from work, Jacob. Me and Yeidy saw Prince of Persia last night. I have purchased more video games. I also got some make-up and underwear for Toni and Guilherme.

The 9th of June is Yeidys birthday so I am happy I can share that with her. She was over Saturday while the girls were out and we drank two bottles of wine and sang Abba karaoke on playstation 3.

Toni is patient but he is very glad I am coming. I work full time up until the day I leave. We started our annual sale so that has made things go by a little quicker. If feels strange to leave my life here in New York to get accustomed to a life in Brazil...only to return here and get used to my old life again.