So yesterday I went over to get Eli for us to go to see AfroReggae, an amazing band and NGO that was leading a bloco in Ipanema. However, since he was bringing half of the hostel and also his mom, sister, brother, and brother's girlfriend, it took us awhile to get going. By the time we got there, I'm not sure what bloco we met up with but I was like HEY since we're on the beach might as well go hang out over there instead of in the huge crowd of people. Great success. Other than this freaking ridiculously annoying Chilean girl from the hostel being constantly obnoxious, we all had a good time. My American exchange student friend came and hung out and then wound up coming with us to the Sambodrome. I kept telling Eli we needed to leave to go back, and that too took awhile and somehow we wound up in the worst traffic ever and I was dying of impatience. Eventually, we got back to Botafogo in time to change and leave.
Before we left, Eli's brother asked him for his keys. "What does he need your keys for?" I asked. "Oh he's staying at our house tonight." "Excuse me?" "Him and his girlfriend. My dad isn't going home tonight and my parents are staying at my uncle's house." Cue American Irritation Round 1. Shortly after, I tried to explain to Eliseu that in my world, even family is required to at least make a courtesy request to stay at one's house, especially if one is not going to be home when said family plans on staying. He goes, "Well, I didn't know either!"
Then this morning, rather, afternoon, when we dragged ourselves out of bed (we got back a little before 5am), the duo had gone out, leaving their stuff here. "Well, I guess they're going to stay downtown for a while," said Eli. Off he goes to work.
So I settle in on the couch for a nice lazy day of blogging and editing and being a slug watching (the few) TV channels we now have and eventually drag myself to buy some groceries. My house, my dwindling vacation time, my day. I go to make some lunch and I hear keys in the lock and the duo lets themself in. They are both extremely nice people, but also apparently are not on the same planet as mine. Cue American Irritation Round 2.
I try extremely hard to make friendly conversation without being completely annoyed, which is difficult. I ask as politely as possible, "What are you guys doing today?" "Oh, we were going to hang out with you and Eliseu." "Oh." (Was this ever discussed? No) "Well, I have stuff to do, and Eli doesn't get out of work until 11." "Oh...hm. Well I guess I'll call our cousin." "Yeah, ok."
Five minutes later. "Oh, hey is this movie any good?" Holds up pirated DVD Eli bought last week. "Oh I don't know, never saw it." Try to make small talk about not being able to use the DVD player. "Do you want to watch with us?" he asks. Not, "Hey can we watch a movie?" "Hey do you mind if we hang out here for awhile?" Nada. I hold back an, "Excuse me?" Are you inviting yourself to stay the rest of the day in my house? After inviting yourselves to stay the night? I politely decline, and they both cuddle up on the couch, where I had just been sitting. Now I have turned to my laptop, which I will probably bring to the bedroom soon to hide my extreme irritation.
I know I'm not being very hospitable, but I find it extremely hard to be hospitable when hospitality is forced upon me involuntarily.
UPDATE: Brother has just informed me they are staying a second night. When Eli and I were planning on watching the second half of the Carnaval parade.
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