It is 4,800 miles from Methuen to Brazil, a huge and harrowing distance that can eventually be conquered after a gnarly series of flights from Boston to Miami, then straight into the heart of Brazil …

Yet, the real chasm to cross is a different type of journey. You have to navigate your way around the inevitable and utter culture shock that can hit outsiders once they get a real glimpse of our daily life, here in our cozy little corner of the world.

Take my future father-in-law for example.

Marcelo Fonseca, 54, cashed in his vacation time at work, flew over on a direct 10-hour flight from São Paulo and spent the first two weeks of September with his daughter, Gabrielli.

In the process, he didn’t just see some of the local sights, like the apple trees and pumpkins at Mann Orchards or the castle that is City Hall; he was plucked from everything he called normal and routine, then dropped in a place that operates on an entirely different frequency than the big, bustling streets of São Paulo.

“It’s all much quieter over here,” Fonseca said. “The houses are big and the land is green. The lawns are very beautiful to see. It’s very peaceful to really experience.”

São Paulo sits in the southeastern region of Brazil as one if its most populous cities, with over 21 million people. The capitol of the state of São Paulo is named after Saint Paul of Tarsus.

“It’s completely different than back home,” Fonseca said of Methuen. “São Paulo has transportation that is much better. There are hundreds of lines, hundreds of buses, and the subway is also easy and more accessible.”

“I noticed here that there are very, very few buses for people, but I also understand that people travel more by car than by bus,” Fonseca continued. “I understand the difference and it’s huge. Here it’s much easier to have and maintain a car. In Brazil, it’s more difficult.”

So, it seemed completely right and reasonable to spare no expense, hop in the Honda and show him all the hidden gems and hot spots sprinkled around the city, just to get a proper handle on a different kind of lifestyle.

After getting him settled and unpacked back at Oak Street, it became an immediate priority to swing by Market Basket and gather some essentials for the duration of his stay … but it wasn’t the first-time trip to a bright and colorful American supermarket that phased him. He wanted to get right down to brass tacks. He wanted fast food.

Later that day, after a quick cruise down the road, past The Loop, we landed at McDonald’s. It was, in Fonseca’s mind, a significant benchmark of the trip: a solid chance to finally compare American versus Brazilian McDonald’s. We decided that the only option was to eat in, because he wanted to sponge up the atmosphere and get the full experience.

His summary dining at an American McDonald’s is described as follows:

  • The portions are much bigger; the burgers and drinks are huge in comparison.
  • The menu, ironically, is more limited than what the Brazilian locations offer.

Fonseca also noticed differences in society’s behavior. In São Paulo, Fonseca explains, the lots with houses on them can be smaller so neighborhoods are more compact.

“I found that people are a little more isolated here in Methuen,” Fonseca contemplated. “Back in Brazil, everyone is closer together; they know each other better. Here there’s more space for everybody. People do their own thing and don’t seem to talk with each other as much.”
 

It wouldn’t really be a complete tour of Methuen hot spots without a stop at Findeisen’s Ice Cream on Jackson Street. We saddled up to order and the movie-like, picturesque nature of the old-fashioned ice cream place took Fonseca for a loop.

“It was like stepping into the movies I’ve watched since I was a kid,” he said.

“One thing that’s interesting to see is how many different stores and shopping centers you have here in Methuen,” Fonseca said. “It’s busy but not too packed, and there is so many things that they offer.”

On his last day of vacation, it was suddenly obvious there were a few important stops we hadn’t made. We headed for City Hall to show off Methuen’s historical roots.

It was almost 5 in the afternoon when we pulled into the parking lot of the Searles Building. Workers were beginning to pour through the doors and trek toward their cars. After slipping inside before the doors closed for the night, Fonseca got a chance to see the old Victorian halls and peak behind the curtain of local government.

It was a warm and bright evening, so upon leaving we continued our neighborhood tour.

“I was really surprised by how secure everything was,” Fonseca admitted. “São Paulo is very violent. You can’t wash your car outside your garage there. I washed my daughter’s car in the driveway and felt safe. Life seems much calmer.

“Methuen isn’t just a much calmer place, but it’s affected me in the sense that I feel happier here,” he continued. “I ate better, slept better, my life was much calmer and happier while I was here.”