Here is a mix of houses in Bocaiúva and the surrounding area. There are very nice homes, which are usually of typical Brazilian styling. There is no city zoning laws, so the nicer homes are often built next door to tiny shanty homes. During the "summer" (Dec. 20 - Feb. 20), many people transformed their homes into very nice places, by either building new additions, or adding a few coats of bright paint. Other homes have never been painted or are badly needing another coat. It is very common for people to buy a small plot of ground (usually a on a steep hillside), then build 2-3 tiny houses on it for extended family or as rental property for income. Usually, grandparents live in the first house, followed by children's families in the back. Later, the grandparents move to the smallest of the homes. The larger picture below, which has 4 houses built on a small tract of land on a hillside, is a good example of what most homes are like here. Most Brazilians don't have many "things," and they move frequently and quickly. Families are GONE after a couple hours of 2-3 people packing a pickup or two--this makes it hard keeping our new Grupo Directory current!
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