When I think of cultural differences between Brazil and the US there are so many that come to me - all the typical things you notice when you travel. I don't want to write about those things. I want to write about the mundane, the boring, the lowest of the low. The sidewalk.
First let me start by saying I don't walk much in the US. I have lived in many cities and outside of University walking has never been a part of my daily life - I never thought about sidewalks in the US. So you would think my experience with sidewalks would not be blog worthy. Actually I think one good characteristic of a good sidewalk is that you don't have to think about it. You can walk with peace of mind that the ground below your feet will be predictable, consistent, and safe. In 95% of the cases in the U.S. where there are sidewalks this is the case so I never spent much time thinking about them.
In Brazil (at least in Porto Alegre where I live) the sidewalk situation is an daily pain both literally and figuratively. Honestly I wonder to myself if American sidewalk builders are working with an unfair advantage b/c the Brazilian sidewalks do not fit any of the characteristics of a sidewalk. Lets look at each issue separately:
1) Flatness - In this aspect the sidewalks in Porto Alegre, and I suspect all of Brazil, are an utter failure. The sidewalks are made of ceramic tiles (as apposed to concrete slabs in the U.S.). Each tile is subject to changes of elevation, angle, composition, texture, and various other factors. The end result is the the sidewalk varies as a result of the ground as apposed to the remaining constant.
2) Straightness - In this regard the sidewalks are acceptable however often there are so many obstacles (trash, cars, chairs from restaurants, dog poo, people) that you are not able to walk in a straight line.
3) Consistency - Once again the sidewalks fail in this regard. On my block for example there are at least 5 different building materials for the side walk. It appears that each individual has been left to decide how to maintain their sidewalk (this is not the case) and that everyone has choose a side walk material that suits their own individual needs. There are rocks, many types of tile, bricks, concrete, and sand in a one block distance.
4) Cleanliness - I mentioned this above but it bears repeating. The side walks are so dirty it is ridiculous when compared to American sidewalks. Basically everyone in the city puts their trash on the sidewalk for collection and then there are various people (city workers, people who collect trash to sell, homeless) that rummage through the trash. Naturally much of the trash ends up in the street and sidewalk. Also there are people who live at particular sidewalk "hotpots." Needless to say not clean.
5) Traffic - Wow. Americans don't walk and it is a problem however if you are an American and you want to walk you are in heaven b/c you have full access to amazing sidewalks. I remember walking in downtown Fort Worth a few months ago and I only passed someone every few blocks and didn't have to change my path b/c the sidewalk was so wide. In Brazil there are 10X the number of people walking on sidewalks that are smaller and of lower quality.
The end result for me has been to live in a constant state of minor foot/leg pain. I trip and fall more than necessary and now something new has developed. I often have the uncontrollable (I do manage to control myself, how I do not know) urge shove people out of my way. I don't want to hurt them or even bother them I just want to shove them just so I will not be impeded/slowed while walking. I just want to push them and pass and they continue on with there cell conversation and not even notice what happened.
"American pushes future President Dilma" I can see the headline now. Blame it on the sidewalk. I have been spoiled by American neatness, lines, and industrial perfectionism.
No comments:
Post a Comment