Get to Know a Gringo: Bella
"Florianopolis for living, Rio for VIBES"
New Series Launch!
I'm kicking off Get to Know a Gringo, a series featuring interviews with estrangeiros who are living, nomading, snowbirding, or just passing through Brazil.
Want to share your story? Send me a message.
For the first issue, I spoke with Bella, a Dutch nomad who planned a short trip to Brazil, but ended up making Florianópolis her base. She shares her take on cultural mishaps, the best moqueca, and why WhatsApp voice notes have become her new love language.
Follow Bella at @rebella.kate
Read her substack, Library of Love at
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to try Bella Boocha here
Get to Know a Gringo: Bella
A woman as complicated as Brasil
Equal parts this…
And this…
Current Location:
Florianopolis - It really is the Ilha da Magia.
Local spots:
Rio Tavares, Cumbuca, Paradiso
Home Country:
I grew up in Amsterdam but a part of my heart is Italian, and my soul (and hips) are defintely Latin-American.
Career:
Fundraising and Strategic Consultant, Cultural Sector & Creative Industries
Projects:
My projects vary from kombucha and writing a blog to having a boyfriend (the relationship is the project - not him), big on making tea blends and everyday I’m closer to becoming a natural fiber fairy. Also an aspiring pole dancer (which for now just means I am covered in bruises) and dancarinha.
How long have you been in Brazil?
In total 6 months. 3 months travel and now 3 months living in Floripa with a 6 months break of ‘who am I where do I wanna be’ in between.
Why did you come to Brasil? What brought you here?
It all started with my two Brazilian roommates almost 8 years ago. There was constantly funk playing in the house and we’d make late night brigadeiro that we ate straight from the pot.
They shared their love for Brazil with me but because of Covid and life it took me 7 years to finally visit. And when I did, it felt like home and I knew this had to be the next step.
Falo Portuguese? Choose one…
Fala
Mais ou menos
Obrigado
Falo bem bom!
How do Brasilians pronounce your name?
Beeeela - add an ‘eeh’ and it sounds like a sheep (‘beeehehela)’. Also, everyone seems set on writing my name with one ‘L’ - t doesn’t matter how many times I tell them it is with two ll’s’.
Visa sitch?
Digital nomad and I’ve finally accepted it.
The visa comes with a stigma and the reality of the increased purchasing power we have in this country we decide to call home. Whenever I feel ‘gringo guilt’ I tell myself I’m making an effort to learn the language and integrate. Having lived in Lisbon before where there is a big divide between the locals and ‘expats’, I love that here, all types of immigrants, Brazilian and other, have decided to move here and make Floripa their home. People are happy to live here.
What is your favorite holiday in Brasil?
Mini weekends away in the countryside that feel like a month-long holiday.
What is one thing from Brasil or Brasilian culture you think your home country needs?
BBQ cheese at the beach and gas stations with full churrasco buffet options, open day and night.
Least favorite thing about Brasil?
People saying ‘yes’ to social plans when they mean ‘no’. Also, no information on prices, availability, and opening-hours can be found online! I wish I could find out what time a sports class is without having to text someone to ask.
Favorite random Brazilian habit you’ve picked up?
Sending 5 second WhatsApp voice messages.
What’s your most Brasilian moment so far?
Gringo in Brasil moment: The capoeira teacher kissing me under the moonlight at a deserted beach. No, it was not pleasant, I was actually a bit scared and ran away.
Integrated gringo in Brasil: leaving a store by saying ‘Tchau! Obridaga, querida.’
Favorite Brasilian song?
Poema - Ney Matogrosso
Favorite Portuguese word?/ Brasilian slang?
Tamojunto! Satisfacao Familia! (Yes, I picked these up from Sintonia on Netflix and am waiting for the right moment to use these in real life.)
Nordeste or Sudeste?
Nordeste - for the music and men with swaying hips .
Favorite place in Brazil that no one talks about?
The interior of Santa Catarina - so many hidden waterfalls that have not yet become a common place.
What’s the most difficult day/ time you've had in Brazil?
Spending all morning at the Policia Federal to get my residency, not understanding what I am waiting for, what those documents are that they keep mentioning, not having brought the right document with me, not knowing why everyone is suddenly standing up.
Have you been electrocuted in the shower?
A 100 times almost. Scariest moment when the it sparks up and the electricity cuts out the moment I step into the shower. Still, I’d rather have cold showers than risk getting electrocuted.
Favorite thing about Brazil?
MOQUECA! The warmth, the rice, the pirao, the crunch of the farofa and the diversity of fish and seafood. I also love the version with only banana da terra, although I need a 4 hour nap to digest after eating that. Moqueca just speaks to my soul and I love a journey to find the best version of it (it was in a small restaurant in Itacare that I found a 10/10 Moqueca).
Pick one:
Rio
Sao Paulo
Florianopolis
Pipa
Itacare
Florianopolis for living, Rio for VIBES.
Something that every traveler should know before coming to Brazil for the first time..
Do some research on what areas to stay in and what areas to avoid, but don’t let the fear consume you!
What’s the weirdest Portuguese misunderstanding you’ve had?
It happens on those days when I’ve not seen anyone, not said a word and suddenly I run into my neighbours. See, my Portuguese is not a light switch, I need some time to get in the groove. It’s those extremely awkward 10-second conversations that make me cringe so hard that I want to run away and hide in the bushes when I can’t come up with anything to say in response to their ‘como vc ta?’.
What’s the most “gringo” thing you’ve been caught doing?
Screaming the whole condominium awake when I spot a cockroach right above me in the shower.
When you’re at the top of Corcovado what do you ask Christ the redeemer for?
To please get me out of this place crawling with tourists and zero shade.
I did ask the Christ - 9 months ago - to help me see what my next step in life could be.
And here I am! Back in its bosom.
Follow Bella at @rebella.kate
Read her substack, Library of Love
Tchau.