Snoop Dog and Monkeys

So, we went out on the town yesterday with Nil's sister Cassia. While we were at her house, she thought I'd enjoy watching MTV ... in English. I said whatever, so on the tv went. While I was taking in the music news, Cassia heard the beginning of a Snoop Dog song from the bedroom ... she came out just to join in. Now, if you didn't know that she's one of those people that goes to church 4 times a week, you wouldn't think this is funny. For me, it was hilarious because it was a grand departure from the Christian music we listen to in her car. Apparently, Snoop Dog still has a bit of a hold on her. Oh the things we export to other countries. ...

After driving around Guarulhos and Sáo Paulo for 3 hours we ended up at a Churrascuria. The food was so good! I was saddened to know that I can't eat as much as I used to. South Africa has ruined me ... at least until I return to the U.S. and am faced with Chipotle, Chilis, PF Chang's, Outback and the Olive Garden. After stuffing my face with just about every part of the cow available and a few legs of lamb, I was starting to get seriously full.

Just in case you don't know how these Churrascurias work - you have a card that has a red side and a green side. As long as the card is on red, you're safe. You can enjoy as much sides and salad from the bar as you want (but in the face of Brazilian and Argentinian beef, why would you?). Once you flip that card over to the green side, though, the barrage starts. Servers with all kinds of meat on skewers (like filet mignon, lamb, chicken, sirloin with garlic, etc.) will pass by your table and offer their services until you flip that card over again. I was so consumed with the goodies (and the beautiful men bringing it round) that I forgot to take pictures.

When I came to, I handed Nil my camera to take a photo of me and one of the servers. When she handed the camera back to me and told me to look at it to make sure it was okay, I lost it. The last photo displayed was of a monkey I saw at the park. Needless to say, our server was as confused as I was about which one of us the monkey was supposed to be.

Fun times at a very nice (and expensive) steakhouse. This has pretty much characterized my trip so far ... fun times with Nil's crazy family, taking in lots of yummy local food and admiring the beauty of the masculine side of God's creation. I'm fortunate that the men here like morenas, and are a bit more charismatic about their approach. It's nice to be admired, not ogled ... and to admire the admirer for a change. :o)