Case of the Brazilian Mondays

Today I went into centro to go and pay bills. It seems that’s all I ever do is pay bills…and we don’t even have that many yet… Anyway, the past couple of weeks it has been really, really hot. Today was no exception, but accompanying the heat was a cool breeze. So as I am waiting in line at the Caixa, the breeze hits my sweat, and gives me the false illusion that I am not hot.

Let me tell you something about lines here….they are long. And even when they aren’t long, you will wait. Today they had one person helping people buy lottery tickets and paying bills. So I waited for a lonnnggg time. When I finally got inside (since the line wrapped around outside) there were only 4 more people in front of me when the warning bell in my head went off. My brain said, “Ummm, you aren’t feeling so good suddenly.” I pushed it away and said, “No, I’m alright, I just need some water. I will be fine, I’m almost there!” Again, brain says, “You really don’t feel good, you are dizzy and kind of feel vomit-y” Determined as ever, “I’ll be fine, I’ll go get something cold as soon as I’m finished.” One more person in front of me.

My turn comes up, I walk to the window, dizzy, hand the agent my bills, and then she says something. However, I have no idea what she said, because I am hanging onto the counter for dear life trying not to pass out. It felt like a bubble went over my head. All sounds were muffled, I couldn’t hear anything. But I knew people were concerned. Someone from behind me was holding me up. All I could concentrate on was not falling over, I actually wore a skirt that day. I did manage to say ‘agua.’ The agent found me some water and a stool! So I sat, I drank, and felt much better after a minute. Except that my hands were weak, shaking, and tingling really bad. It was all very strange. This lady kept trying to talk to me, except I was focusing on staying conscious and Portuguese was difficult. So I told her I didn’t understand her. Then there was an uproar from all the women behind me, saying I shouldn’t be out by myself. Poor thing. It was too hot. I was accustomed to this weather. Poor thing, make her drink more water. Then someone rubbed some kind of salt/alcohol solution on my wrist. I don’t know why, I was just glad there were these wonderful people here. Strangers, who didn’t know me from Adam, super concerned and taking care of me.

After I really felt much better, the drama subsided, I paid my bills, apologized profusely, thanked everyone more than once, and promptly went and bought agua de coco (coconut water) and an ice cream cone. Coconut water helps to rehydrate you and the ice cream for the sugar (and I love ice cream).

Just as a mention, you will be the only souls on this earth who know this information. Because if my family here were to find out, I’d never go out alone again. And Sidnei would just flip out (I also had my first trip to the hospital last week, which may have also contributed to this episode. I will blog about that soon as well).

After all this, I went and bought the dog food (I would have gone straight home, but she was completely out) and then I went to find the bus. Exhausted, head pounding, my bus finally arrived (though not the one I wanted. The one I wanted drops me off directly in front of my house, but runs less frequently. The one I caught is about an 8 minute walk home). I got on the bus, sat myself down, and after a few minutes I doozed off. I didn’t really sleep, but my eyes have a tendency to get really heavy (I know this is not very smart, but seriously I just couldn’t help it. I was sick and it was all warm..I was trying to fight it and I was sitting across from the guy who takes money and I was in a single seat), so I go back and forth with them opening and closing, not really sleeping. However, I became fully awake when the bus rammed into a car door. We were just cruising down the street when some idiot (who parked on the side of the street) threw his door open without looking. So we had to stop. And wait, and it was REALLY hot. I started feeling all vomit-y again. We finally were allowed off the bus, but had to wait for another bus to come and get us. But we had to wait in the sun. No shade anywhere to be found. So I promptly sat myself on the curb, with my head in my lap, skirt and all. An hour and a half later, I finally arrived. Then the dog threw up.

To make a long story longer…I have a case of the Brazilian Mondays.

 

*But I’m still extremely grateful to all my kind, kind strangers who helped me. I wouldn’t have made it if the girl behind me wasn’t holding me up.