Shopping Mall

Don't laugh but I've been visiting the mall almost every day I've been here so far. Apparently the Amazonas Shopping Mall is the best place to exchange traveler's checks. The people at Cortez Cambio e Turismo are very nice, but I had to go back in the evening yesterday to remedy a mistake they made, which was mainly failing to give me a proper receipt. True, I should have noticed this before I left, when they simply gave me the adding-machine print out, which won't do for our records. But I was probably overly focused on counting everything and making sure I had the right amount. Upon return, they immediately recognized me and made the receipts quickly so it was no problem.
Nevertheless, I've enjoyed my little morning jaunts to the shopping mall. The first time, we arrived there just before 10 AM where everyone was lined up outside the big glass-door entrance. After going to the money exchange, I went to Carefour to pick up some shaving supplies (I forgot to bring extra razor blades). While waiting for check-out, I couldn't resist picking up a Red Bull too, since the jet lag was really weighing heavily on me. That first day everyone was feeling drowzy, but the Red Bull was a nice pick-me-up when I drank it later in the afternoon.
My second trip to the mall, after exchanging money, I went to a sports shop to pick up a new tennis racket. I didn't bring mine from Japan this time, and since I'll be here a few times this year, I figure I'll keep one here. We are playing later this afternoon since today is a holiday, so I'll get to try it out. I also got 3 free tennis balls and a black Addias sweatband. How cool am I gonna be!?
The guy who helped me at the sports shop was nice, and as he'd been studying English, seemed happy to practice on me (as I was equally happy to have an English-speaking shop assistant on hand). He seemed genuine and hoped that I would enjoy Manaus during my stay.
The shop also had some music on, and I noticed a few people sort of dancing as they shopped. Even the girl at the cash register was doing a little jig while ringing up my order. There is something about Brazil that makes you want to dance I guess. I remember a number of years ago talking to a well-travelled Japanese guy who moonlighted as a DJ saying that he felt Japanese people need to learn to incorporate dance more into their everyday life. He commented on how common dancing and singing was in other places he'd traveled, which included S. Asia and S. America, and how strange he felt coming back to Japan after that where everyone seemed so stiff. Back then I could appreciate what he was saying, but I think I can now finally understand it. That little moment in the sports shop, just about everyone within earshot perked up when the song came on and sort of did a little groove.