Yesterday I finally had my first “normal” work day. While I’ll probably stay without a desk, one of the lab members offered to share his locker with me! Now I don’t need to keep lugging my books back and forth when I go to the university. The people whom I share the laboratory with are extremely friendly, and made me feel welcomed.

Today was “running around after documents” day – I had to try and get a “proof of residence”, without which I can’t do anything serious here. So first I went to the Gas company, and got the gas bill of the apartment changed to my name – this is a valid proof of residence, but the next gas bill only comes in December. Then we tried to get register changed in the Brazilian IRS – they gave us a number and made us wait 30 minutes, just to tell us that we needed to go to a bank to do that… WTF – I wonder if the receptionist who gave us the number was just making fun of me… While doing the above and a bit more, Ju took me to a ride by Ipanema and other famous Rio Beaches – the day was clear and it was really a wonderful sight.

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Something people always asked me in Japan, is what kind of food we ate in Brazil. Because of that, this time I made sure to take some pictures of the stuff I ate – even though doing that was seen as strange by people around me :-P I’ll try to update this album every so often, so stay tuned!

Just go check the pictures, it is kinda late and I need to go to bed!

Update 2024: The Album is not available anymore… sorry!