Well, well

February 25, 2013

Just under 99 degrees in the shade today feels like one thousand, give or take. Out of drinking water again which makes it difficult to stay hydrated. Clean drinking water is not self-evident for everyone. Whereas Seattle drinking water is monitored two to three times daily, bottled water is checked two to three times per month in comparison. I could not locate a reliable source for water testing statistics in Brasil. In my search, I discovered Pepsi was forced to admit their Aquafina water is just improved tap water. I think about all of the tourists who insist on drinking out of single-use plastic water bottles with a straw that is presented encased in plastic nonetheless! In Latin America it takes three to five times more water to make the plastic liter bottles than the amount of water in the bottle. Bottled water is a privilege of those better off and, like gated communities, separates the privileged from the “dirty people.”  There are no wells on the island, they have been prohibited for quite some time.

I glance suspiciously at the 12 liter water bottle delivered via motorcycle by the cute son of the family-owned company located a good distance away. He hesitates to commit to any details of their private business. I tease him that I will get out the pool tester to check the drinkability of their water. Rafael is certain the company they purchase the water in- question from, to then resell, is legit. Whatever that means!

Thunder storm halted all technological activity in the house this afternoon. Yanked all plugs from their sockets; tv’s to computers to refrigerator and clothes washer for fear of burning up the appliances. It has occurred more than once and everything is so costly to replace. Not uncommon to peek in a garage or back yard to see an extra stove or refrigerator placating off to the side. Just as expensive to repair the items as purchase something new especially given you can make ten reasonable monthly payments. Also common to post-date checks for just about any service from car repair to dental work, pet stores, bakeries and even some grocery stores. The little corner markets can hardly afford not to accept such fragile requests. Creates a Catch 22.   

I, on the other hand am back to trading pebbles for things I collect to bring back to the States. Bartering for services is a thrill. Dealing with the colorful monopoly money of Brasil makes it feel more like a game than the serious transactions of credit and debit cards. It has been so freeing not to have plastic cards in my wallet nor juggle a cell phone or car keys. I leave the house with a CPF identity card and copy of my passport, several bills and a coin purse. At home, Taelor swears I can live out of my purse for two weeks time. When I ask her to go in my bag to find something, she sighs in resignation claiming it is difficult to track anything down in the great abyss.