Describing

Hello,
I got an email from a friend today, with some questions, I thought I should answer them here, in case someone else was curious.
I've gotten a bit caught up in the emotions of Brazil, and have not taken time to give you guys a background. So here it is:

Starting with the most important thing, food!
Food here is, rice and beans, and rice and beans, and meat.
Pretty much this.
They dont eat many veggies, but they do have a lot of fruits. Many of which, I have not seen before. There is one called Goiaba, which I ate for the first time a few days ago, which looks like a guava on the inside, but is not so sweet. Its kind of acidic, has a green skin, and pink center, and the texture is like a ripe pear. They have this other fruit, maracuja, which is like no other fruit I have ever eaten before. It has a really thick skin, and you just eat the seeds and the juice that is in the center. It is also acidic, the flavor is like...orange and passion fruit mixed together.
They have this potato like thing here, called manjoca, (I have no idea how to spell it). its...like a potato, but better, more fiber-y.
As for the meats, they are very salty. Mostly people eat beef, but also chicken and pork. Fish is not common at all. I have eaten it only once, and it was a little awful. Barbecue is the most common way of cooking, all though broiled chicken is popular, and fried things as well.
The beans are beans, and the rice is white rice. Normal.
As for the breads...there are so many. When I was in the US, I dont think I went into bread stores, really ever, but here it is a once a week ritual. There are always French rolls, and a sweet bread, which i find not sweet enough (just have a coating of egg and sugar and maybe some cinnamon). They have little cookies that have a little jelly in the center. I have yet to see any chocolate chip cookies, I think I will have to make some for my family here soon. I think they have no idea. They have this think called pão de queso, which is a little round ball of bread, and the center is cheesy bread, its really good.
The cheese here is good. They have this white cheese that you buy in huge wheels, I think its a kilo... and its not fat at all. Its really light, the flavor is very mild, and its barely salted. Even though it is a little plain, its delicious.
Here, I'm not sure what kind of spices, seasonings, or anything of the like, they use. I dont know if they cook with oil or something else, as the maid is the one that cooks. which is strange for me to say.
There is one thing here that we dont have in the US that is delicious. but it has so much sugar, more then one person should have in a month. but it is realllllly good.
its simply a can of condensed milk and 5 spoonfuls of chocolate milk mix, like nesquick. You put all it into a sauce pan and stir for about 10 minutes, after, allow to cool, and then you eat it. you can eat it plain, or with cookies. Its bad for you though. Sadly.


Another thing, what do I do for fun:
I have been to a place called the aveneda, which is like a main-street with restaurants and bars lining it. That is pretty much where everyone in Montes Claros goes to hang out on Friday or Saturday nights...well actually any night.
There are chairs all on the sidewalk, with barely enough space to walk, and anywhere you go, you find people you know. There are a few places with live music, some just chill music, some dance music. It depends on the night. Sometimes there are things called "Pagoges" which is where you go to dance. you dont sit. People, usually from 16-35ish go to dance. There is samba music, along with fórro (you should look this up, its gooood), and some axé. all very dance-able music.
But when it's not night, I go to get ice cream with friends, which is reallllllly sweet here. I like sweet, but jesus.
I also go to the country club, where you can swim, play volleyball, basketball, batecca (which is like badmitton but without a racket), handball (I dont know what this is, but people talk about it), and of course, soccer.

People here dress like...brazil. I dont think that they fit into any American city exactly, but the guys, for the most part, would be like California, the girls, depend. They all wear high heals, wedges are really popular too. They wear skimpy things, a lot of tank tops, halter tops, and things of the like. They wear jeans, shorts, skirts. I suppose California is as close to Brazilian girl style as you can get.

Well, for now I must go to sleep. But more to come, as always.