Cars and houses

Today we have finally got our car - a Golf VW (tinted windows, automatic etc. etc.) What a palaver this has been. The car actually costs more than the apartment. The apartment is fantastic - all mod cons (i.e. fridge freezer (enormous ), microwave, dish washer, washing machine, gas cooker, ensuite bedroom, additional bathroom, 2 verandas , views over the sea front and back etc. etc.) but the car costs more and has been a lot more hassle to organise.

I have also been told that plastic is cheap in Brazil - but a plastic kitchen chopping board is 4 times the price of a wooden board.

However the mod cons are amazing compared to when we lived here 24 years ago. Brazil has definitely moved on in terms of ease of living - but is this progress. I will have to reflect on this.