Alegria
Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

When you come to a new place, distant from home, even in a new country, you see yourself almost immediately confronted with numerous questions you might like to get answered.  How do I do this?  How does this work?  Where can I find this and that?

Many of these questions are so common that we have anticipated them and summarized our answers in this "Frequently Asked Questions" information document.  We have -- more or less -- alphabetized them by key words and invite you to peruse them.  If you then still have a burning question that is still unanswered, please feel free to e-mail us.  We will then gladly get back to you as soon as we can with the answer or clarification you request. 

There is one particular key word which we have called "Peculiarities" which may be so important that we have addressed it right here:

---  Cleaning Agents: Do not use abrasive cleaning agents (such as AJAX, SOS, or alike) anywhere in the apartment.  (It will dull non-ceramic surfaces). 
---  Screen Doors:  Keep the screen doors closed at all times.  People who are sensitive to insects that can be present especially during the wet season may apply an electrically powered mild fumigator, which is simply plugged into an electric outlet and will emit a scent that is quite detrimental to flying insects.  These little devices can be purchased at the grocery store at a cost of about R$10 and will last for several weeks.  One is sufficient for the apartment.  It would be best to remove it during daytime, but no problem if you forget.  We usually keep one handy for our renters‘ use.
---  Outlets and Voltage:  Everything operates on 220V, 50 HZ in this part of the world.  Some of our outlets are built so that they will take American-type plugs, but they still deliver 220 volts, and anything you plug in that is designed for 110 V only will immediately burn out.  This pertains particularly to hair dryers, curling irons, travel water heaters, and similar high-wattage items that have no built-in electronic voltage adapters.  Good practice is to first look at the fine print on the item you want to plug in, and when it says “100-240 V, 50-60 Hz,” then you are safe.
---  Water faucets: the plumbing systems in private residences and apartments in rural Brazil do not operate on high pressure city water.  Instead, each building has its own water tank which is located (often quite unsightly) above the roof line and is filled with city water (with a toilet tank type of filling valve), and water runs from there by gravity to the faucets.  Therefore, the pressure at the faucets is low, and water runs at low flow rates.
---  Shower Heads: There are no hot water tanks, as is customary in the United States and most of Europe.  Instead, water for showers is heated at the point of use with an electric heating element built into the shower head. The heating element operates at constant power.  Therefore, if the water flow is high, the temperature rise is low, and vice versa.  Therefore, if you want hotter water, turn down (not up) the flow.   
---  Toilet Paper: Please note that essentially in all of South America, and also in Abadiania and in Alegria, no toilet paper (and no other manufactured items) may be discarded into the toilet. The septic and sewer systems are simply not designed for this "abuse." Please use the trash receptacle we provide instead. Once full, you can fold up the -- somewhat smelly -- plastic bag and deposit it into the garbage bin outside the curb. We always keep a good supply of these important plastic bags, and please do make us aware when the supply is too low.

And last but not least:  You came here for a very special reason.  Please familiarize yourself with the protocols of the Casa de Dom Inacio.  We have posted some of the more important rules and protocols at various places in the apartment. Please read them -- and know what to do and where to go to get the utmost healing experience from your stay in Abadiania. 
Just as an "FYI," especially on your first Wednesday morning, you will appreciate when you follow the recommendation to be seated in the big hall of the Casa de Dom Inacio no later than at 6:30 AM.  You won't find a seating place much later than that, and after 7:00 even standing room is hard to come by in the big hall.