Day 36

Metrosexuality and a Reminder of Home

The combination of two very busy days and the loss of an hour on the clock has us two days behind.  So, again we will have to work diligently to get you caught back up to speed.  I apologize for the delay in these postings, however, having burned the candle at both ends for the past two days, I needed a little R&R.

Saturday was to be our day of commerce.  The boys needed new shoes so it was off to a couple of local shoe shops to see what we could find.  I had an agenda of my own . . . new underpants.  After we had previewed a few of the shoe sellers, I decided to venture into a neighboring clothing retailer where the promise of new underpants seemed . . . . well, promising.  Unfortunately, all that could be found was quite a row full of very brightly colored and heavily patterned man panties.  Now, I have a very good friend back home that argues that I am but a single chromosome from actually being a chick, but even I couldn't pull the trigger on a pair of sateen man panties.  The choice at this point would seem to be the man panty or nothing at all.  I am not a big fan of going commando . . . the boys need a home if you know what I mean.  I suppose I will eventually break down and purchase some pink man panties, but this would not be the day, so we returned our focus to shoes.

Perhaps proving my friend's earlier point, I did find two very nice pairs of moderately heterosexual shoes to purchase for myself.  Daddy likes a new pair of shoes.  The boys had mixed success.  The youngest was easy to please and we found two very stylish pairs of "Block Boy" shoes that he was willing to trade his mud boots for.  The eldest however, being much more fashion conscious than his younger sibling, was difficult to please.  The brands were foreign and the style was not quite to his liking.  My eldest has always trended to the urban skate scene in his choice of apparel, so he had his eye out for a nice pair of DC's.  Unfortunately, we couldn't locate a single pair on our outing.  Many of the brands are foreign, but there are many familiar faces out there as the American style of apparel is not lost on the youngsters here.  DC and Nike are just a couple of the typically American brands that can be found, so we knew there would be something out there for him, we just had yet to locate the correct retailer.  With the morning rolling away with the rise of the noon day son, it was time to conclude our time at the commercial center and head back home.  The eldest's shoes would have to wait for another day.

While we are on the subject of fashion, it is interesting to note that many typically American brands are quite the status symbol here.  Most notably, Levi Straus has a foot hold here that elevates it relatively humble US sales in recent years to rock star status among area retailers.  And they cost a fortune here as well.  If we are envied for anything, it is our access to Levi jeans at a cheap price.  The same can be said for Lee and Wrangler.  They are also very expensive here and seem to be very popular as well.  Everyone says we should buy them in the states as they are cheaper, but something is lost in translation that we can't seem to clear up for them.  The truth of the matter is, the brands are the same, but the jeans are not.  The cut and styling of the Wranglers, Lees and Levis here are much different than that which you find in the states.  These are fashionable brands here and workhorse brands back home.  Wranglers have a designer look and fit and the only similarity to their American counterpart is the familiar "W" stitch on the ass cheek.  I may look into a pair since it appears that here, unlike in America, you don't have to be a rough stock rider to legitimately pull this look off.  After a day of shopping, it is clear that our wardrobes need some help.  We will keep you posted as we begin to blend in a bit more so to speak.

This would be the evening that we would make good on our promise of a trip to the Carnaval.  After an early dinner we loaded the boys up and headed for the city center.  The weather had been predicted to take a turn for the worse by the end of the weekend and it appeared that we were going to get an early preview.  About half way from our parking garage to the public square where the Carnival is held, the rain began to fall.  Fortunately we reached an awning at a food stand before the rain started in earnest.  I could see the disappointment in the eldests face, so I was not about to call it quits because of a little rain.  Fortunately, we didn't have to.  As if by divine intervention, the clouds quickly parted and the short rain show subsided.  In fact, the weather for the remainder of the evening was glorious.  We sampled all that the Carni had to offer.  After Mom and I were certain that our pocket books could take no more abuse, we decided to head back for home.  One the way, we decided to stop at on of the food vendors for quick bite to eat.  Food in hand we settled into a plastic table and chairs at the outskirts of the fairgrounds.  Usually our chatter in Americanese brings scorn and wry looks from the locals, but this evening it brought about a welcome voice.  From the table next to ours, a voice inquired . . . "where are you from".  The accent quite familiar.  Californian to be exact.  A conversation ensued.  Our neighbors were a nice pair of folks . . . one from the US and one from the UK.  After a pleasant hour or so discussing culture and politics, we bid them a farewell and headed back to the house feeling somewhat less homesick than we had at the beginning of this day.

With spirits relatively high for such a late hour, we made it home and put ourselves to bed.