Working with windows open/ working out BR style
Trip Start
Mar 30, 2011
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Trip End
Jun 11, 2011
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Friday, April 1, 2011
When Gabi got home, she and I put on our running shoes and walked to the gym down the street. I had to fill out an extensive application, thank goodness Gabi was there to help me interpret it! Lots of big medical words like saúde cardiovascular, diabéticos and a bunch of others that I can't remember!
Some new words that I do remember:
palavra: word
caderno: notebook (paper)
escritorio: office (not oficina as in spanish, that is a car mechanic place)
ontem: yesterday
almoco: lunch
alface: lettuce
requejao: a creamy white cheese sauce that is delicious on bread with ham
lonje: far
perto: close
and then some curse words that I won't repeat! I'm getting good at making a polite but slightly confused face and giving the thumbs up sign often, which is common here. Never make the O.K. sign here, very offensive!
The gym membership comes with a personal trainer. Each one has 4 years of physical education training. I think that gravity is different here in BR. I know I don't lift weights all the time, but it was super hard here. And of course Gabi was a champ and lifting the heavier weight :) Strength was never my strong suit. ! My arms were more pumped than usual, probably due to the heat. I think part of it is that the gym was open, no a/c. Needless to say I worked up quite a sweat on the treadmill. It felt good to get the blood moving and sweat pouring. A baby banana (banana pequena) and some pao (bread) and requejao made a great recovery meal. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow.
Tonite the favela next door is hopping with music and the sounds of people calling out to each other rising from the streets up to my window. I hear dogs barking and cars honking, but I don't dare go explore for myself. From here, I can see someone in the top floor watching tv on a flat screen. Earlier the gym was open downstairs from the tv watcher on the 2nd floor. It has a hand painted Gold's Gym logo on the window, and I can see men bench pressing and talking on cell phones on the balcony. I wonder if Gold's Gym sees any royalties for the use of their trademark ;)
