What Surprises You About Brazil: 3 Unexpected Observations

Three things that surprised me about Brazil

The calendar throws you off: the week starts on Sunday. Weekend days have names, but weekdays are just numbered. Welcome to a world where quarta-feira — "the fourth day" — is what they call Wednesday!

Portuguese isn't like Spanish… but somehow people understand it anyway

You'd think knowing Spanish would help. Not really. And yet, by some miracle, Argentines and Peruvians chat away with Brazilians just fine — even while admitting, "I didn't understand a word, but sure, yeah."

The pace of life? Even slower than in Argentina

Getting your car washed in Argentina takes 40 minutes. In Brazil? Two and a half hours — if you're lucky. Slow, relaxed, and with a smile.