The Feiria

There are some things that we take for granted. For example, our phones. Aren't they some kind of magic tool, able to tell us where we are, give us indication of where to go, translate, record, memorize, play mind games (or craft), appease the monster next to us, connect us with friends via email, facebook and texts, beyond just the plain phone call?  So when they brake we are in trouble.
Over the last week, my ipad screen broke, Paul's cell phone screen cracked, my own cell phone stop hearing what I said. And my old iphone (a.k.a Emmanuel's own play device) appeared completely dead. So we were in deep trouble.
In China, I was fond of all those geek markets, where I could find free advice and fun technical gizmos for my apple gear. I could bargain my phone repairs and get things done over a bowl of noodle, and it was really not too far from home. These typically were huge, sometimes as much as 4 floors of computer and electronic devices only, plus all sorts of related services.
Here there is the Feiria dos Importados. It used to be known as the Mercado do Paraguay, but maybe because it is flooded with Chinese stuff it was renamed at some point. It is sitting at the extreme south of the Plano Piloto, and from our house, with the proper highway it takes about 20 to 25 min to reach.
The Feiria is a group of small stalls under some gigantic roof. All stalls are grouped in blocs of four back to one another, and a large number of them are grouped in 4 "quadras" or neighborhoods (to take the name from Brasilia city planning). The numbering system of these stall is far from being orderly, A345 sitting next to A215.
And the Feiria here is not only for the computer geek in you. It is a mismatch similar to Beijing's markets: clothing, sport gear, shoes, fishing and pet food, kitchen ware. And repair shops of all kinds, and electronics too. Anything you can imagine in fact. But with no specific order. And with real Brazilian prices.

After unsuccessfully attempting to get my devices serviced in a stall or two, I found him at the end of the maze of stalls, in a tiny booth of probably 2 square meters. I discovered Rogerio. The magician. He is the kind of guy that can fix anything. Anything. The simplest problems - broken screens or stucked buttons - are repaired rather quickly - maybe 20 to 30 minutes. He is also excellent with more complicated things.  My old iphone needed a few fixes that nobody else wanted to do, but upon opening it he just didn't hesitated and explained what needed to be done.

So at first, I took a slip and assumed that the date given would mean work done. Neihg. Nope, Not. The winning combination between "Brazil laidback mode" + "His stall filled with phones waiting to be repaired". When I was back I realized there was at least 3 other men waiting for him to do the work. But I had to rush, and was promised another date. Twice.
In the end, I dragged my kids there and just waited in front of his booth. It was the only way to get the work completed.
In the process, my kids befriended about anyone around Rogerio's stall. I assume that waiting for 4 hours is enough time to meet someone!

By the way, with his little business, the guy is able to support a family of 8 kids...