You know it is winter in Brazil when

Photo source: http://www.madeinbrazilblog.com/blog/too-hot-for-monday-the-boys-at-frankie-morello/

You know it’s winter in Brazil when:

The women break out their shin-high boots (even if it’s still warm out).

You close your windows for the first time in 10 months.

The electric shower head water heater does not have the oomph to heat the cold water.

All the windows on the bus are closed, and the air conditioner is off.

Scarves are everywhere – everyone is wearing a scarf.

The gringos’ toes are white in their Havaianas.

Ice cream parlors are selling hot chocolate and coffee drinks.

Weekend street festivals (Festa Junina) feature hot corn on the cob and a super delicious piping hot stew over polenta to warm the belly (Angu à Baiana).

Locals will spend an hour in the sun on the beach (for exercise), but gringos will try to pretend it is sunny and warm all day.

Even the most unlikely among us will learn to cook bagels – if only to heat the kitchen.  =;-)

The mosquitoes are oddly absent.

You dig around and find your socks.