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A fantastic interview of somebody who really has an appreciation of what living in Brazil is (and should be) all about.

Enrico is right on point with his very good advice,

"Don't expect to change Brazil, prepare to change yourself!
After five years I've seen a lot of 'gringos' arrive with big plans, usually to set up a business or cash in on the property boom here. Most of them are back home now, because they just couldn't adapt to the way things are.
So I'd advise anyone considering a move to Paraiba to be flexible in the extreme. It may be frustrating at first, but long-term it's the only way to be."

This is exactly what I've been telling people all along and it's good to see it coming from someone else. It's really true - if you don't come here with any preconceived notions of how things should be, how you're going to change things to suit you, then your chances of making the adaptation necessary for being here long-term or permanently are much greater and your love for the country will be even greater still.

  Cheers, 
  William James Woodward – Brazil Animator, Expat-blog Team

Thanks William, I'm glad I'm on the right track.
A lot of people seem to think Brazil is like Thailand 15 years ago, and that you can live like a royal of 10 Bucks a day.

Truth is, if you plan on eating more than rice and beans, your cost of living is now about the same as back home in Europe or North America, maybe more.

Still it's a great place to live

Interested to hear any other opinions on living in Brazil...
Enrico