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Introduction
Welcome to the Gringoes.com email newsletter!
This newsletter pulls together some of the articles, photos, polls and other information that has been published on the Gringoes.com web site over the last week or so. Don't forget to visit the Gringoes.com site to checkout our article archive, information pages, classified ads, services, forum and other pages. So read on and we hope you enjoy the newsletter. As always if you have any comments don't hesitate to contact us at gringoes@gringoes.com. Also if you're interested to know the origin behind the site name, then read the "Dear Gringo" article here by Dr. G.
Brazil: São Paulo Entertainment Guide
This week‘s entertainment guide for São Paulo features an Italian restaurant in the city centre, an exhibition of photos of Brazil, a park in Cidade Jardim, this week‘s recommended film release, and a roundup of some other upcoming events.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Brazil: Carnival in Your Living Room
By Jason Bermingham
It‘s late February on the Tropic of Capricorn. Down the avenue surges a tidal wave of sound - four hundred drums pounding out a two-four beat. Cloaked in iridescent feathers, flapping, leaping, singing, you‘re part of this swell. The bite of lemon, sugar, and cane alcohol is on your tongue. The tang of sweat, perfume, and the sea in the breeze. A fiery mulatta perched on the two-story papier-mâché float before you spins in impossible circles. Beside her is a black Adonis. Wearing nothing but a sequined G-string, he flaunts his oiled body in Freddy-Mercury style. The samba quickens, your toes clench. It‘s two o‘clock in the morning, and the party‘s just beginning.
Then the phone rings - and you wake up on the couch. The remote control is on the floor, the television screen is a scramble of gray fuzz, and saliva has dribbled onto the collar of your pajamas. Like some transplanted, tropical Dorothy, you‘re not in Rio anymore.
When the ringing stops, drowsiness overtakes you. The couch pulls you back into its arms and suddenly the hiss of the TV screen is the roar of sixty thousand men and women in the bleachers. The lights of the Sambódromo are upon you. This time it‘s you wearing the G-string, and you‘ve never danced so well. People sing your name, a chorus ringing in your ears. You feel dizzy, disoriented. You fall. Someone beautiful, with breath like eucalyptus leaves, catches you. Whispers words into your ear, a language vaguely familiar. Could it be Portuguese?
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Brazil: Going Once, Going Twice
By Robin Sparks
My mom and dad are selling their mountain home to move back to the Bay Area - close to health care and their children. Real estate is a strange animal - it‘s value has little to do with the actual property, and everything to do with current trends and times. The house my parents are selling is a beautiful three-bedroom home in the Sierra Mountains of California that my father built himself nail by nail, beam by beam. It was their retirement dream home, near Lassen National Forest, close to trout fishing, where deer frequently sauntered across the lawn. But my father had a stroke and the fact that good health care was hours away, as were family and close friends, became suddenly relevant.
The money they will earn on the sale of their mountain home will buy them a pre-fab house on a tiny rectangle lot in Livermore, California and close proximity to Kaiser Hospital and my sister, and a year-round temperate climate. But from my vantage point in Brazil, where a stunning house costs a third of the tiny home in Livermore, and where retired people live well on less than $2,000 a month, it just seems crazy.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
The Thing About Brazil
By Robin Sparks
A list of 49 things the author (who doesn‘t believe in stereotypical lists) now knows about Brazil.
1. Brazilians sing, all of the time, not always on key, but always with heart.
2. Brazilians know all of the words to all the Brazilian songs. And Brazil is one of the few countries that prefers its own music to American pop.
3. Brazilians dance whenever and wherever they can, and they do it well.
4. There is always a party somewhere in Brazil.
5. Public displays of amorous affection are common, especially in restaurants.
6. Brazilians are happy people. Or very good actors.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Brazil: About Portuguese Part 1
By Jim Smith
A Little History of Portuguese
After Spanish, Portuguese is the second most widely spoken Romance language. It is eighth in the world in terms of number of speakers. There are over 165 million Portuguese-speaking people in the world; a sizable portion of the world population. For example, more than 150 million people speak Brasilian Portuguese, and another 10 million people speak Portuguese in Portugal. There are even some 4.6 million people in Africa who speak Portuguese. In addition, there are also half a million Portuguese speaking people in the United States.
Continental Portuguese is a modern version of the colloquial Roman Latin (from which all Romance languages evolved) spoken by the Romans who occupied the Iberian Peninsula for more than 500 years. It was a simplified version of Latin that avoided passive verb forms, complicated tenses, and the entire declension system. The variety of influences on Portuguese stems from the consecutive invasions of Visigoths and Muslims in later years, not to mention influences from France and Spain due to the proximity of those countries to Portugal.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Foreigners Through Brazilian Eyes
This week in our continuing Foreigners Through Brazilian Eyes series we have an interview with Samara Klug Szachnowicz. Samara works in psychology, and has experience of foreigners from travel in the USA and Italy. Read on as Samara tells us about her impressions of foreigners, and gives some helpful advice also.
1. Where are you from in Brazil and what do you do?
I‘m from São Paulo (City). I work as a clinical psychologist.
I‘ve traveled around the world and have friends all around. I am great with languages (and have foreign patients). Have lived for one year in the US as an exchange student and also when I was 20 I spent 2 months backpacking in Italy all by myself. Like to take cruises but also plane, car, train - however the trip is, I love to travel and see new things, people and places. It‘s my very favorite thing to do. I don‘t like the way Brazilian women show themselves "too sexualized" to the rest of the world.
2. What are the main obstacles for foreigners in Brazil?
Probably the language because Portuguese has one of the biggest dictionaries and too many verb forms and irregularities.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Article Writers
Are you a "Gringo" (foreigner) living in or travelling around Brazil with experiences you would like to write about, or with advice to offer? Are you a Brazilian who would like to write about Brazil, and help give advice on what to do, where to go etc. to "Gringos"? If you are interested in writing an article, or series of articles, for Gringoes.com we are interested in hearing from you! Don't be shy! All we ask is that the articles are focused on Brazil, will be of interest to foreigners either travelling or living here, and are written in English. If you are unsure about a topic then drop us an email or a draft article. Unfortunately we can't offer payment for any article, but if you offer a service or have a website we can give you a free plug within the article. Send your articles or any questions to gringoes@gringoes.com with "articles" in the subject.
Gringoes Poll
This week's poll, continuing from last week, is on carnival and where you spent it (or are still spending it). Whether you'll be donning a costume and dancing samba in the Sambadromo, or doing your best to get as far away from it as possible. If you haven't yet voted go to our homepage and look for the poll in the left-hand column.
If you have an idea for a future poll then send it to us at gringoes@gringoes.com with "Poll Idea" in the subject.
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Weekly Quiz
Last week's question was "on main routes leaving Sao Paulo you can often spot a hand painted sign with "chapa". What are the signs for, and what are the origins of the word "chapa"?". Congratulations to Celisa Canto who was the fastest to respond with the answer: "chapa" indicates a spot where truck drivers can find casual labour to help load and unload trucks. The word "chapa" can mean many things and the word's origin is arguably unknown.
This week's quiz question comes from Steven Engler: name five types of bananas that can be found in Brazil. Send your answers to gringoes@gringoes.com with ‘Weekly Quiz’ in the subject line.
Also if you have any ideas for a Weekly Quiz question (help, we need them!), then please send them to gringoes@gringoes.com with ‘Weekly Quiz Ideas’ in the subject line. Don't forget to send the answer to the question also. Remember it needs to be relatively difficult, and not something that can be found from a simple Internet search.
Photo of the Week
The photo of the week is Beach Drink and was taken by Lilia DeGregory. Click here to see the photo. If you have a funny or unusual photo depicting life in Brazil please send to gringoes@gringoes.com with ‘Photo of the Week’ in the subject line.
Brazil: A Layman's Carnival Guide
By Mark Taylor
Often there's a misconception that carnival (or "carnaval" in Portuguese) is a week of non-stop partying engaged in by every Brazilian, at the start of which the entire country shuts down.
The reality is quite different though, and different areas of the country celebrate carnival in different ways. São Paulo and Rio do Janeiro have turned the celebration from an art into arguably a science, as it's centred around the "Sambódromo" in each city. The Sambódromo is an area where various samba schools come to present their show, a little like a walkthrough (or sambathrough) football stadium. Each samba school is judged on various items, such as the costumes, song, band, and float, and highly prized awards are given. The whole matter is taken very seriously, and incredible costumes, floats and dance routines are constructed and practised the whole year round, with a particular focus as carnival approaches. It can be the bane of those who live near a samba school as practices often occur at weekends, are loud, and go on to late at night.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Brazil: Traffic Business Part 1
By Jason Bermingham
With unemployment in South America‘s biggest city at 18%, more and more workers are turning to the streets for survival.
It‘s 7:38 a.m. in São Paulo, Brazil. Rush hour traffic streams through the intersection of Avenidas Pompéia and Matarazzo. Motorcycles dart between vehicles. A garbage truck slams a pothole, clanging metal and coughing up exhaust. When the traffic light goes red, the commotion grinds to a halt.
This is when José Silva Ramos - one of the city‘s nearly two million "jobless" workers - goes into action. Stepping off the avenue‘s cement median strip, he begins draping plastic sacks on the side-view mirrors of stopped vehicles. Each sack contains ten pieces of candy, a ballpoint pen, and a photocopied slip of paper that reads: "Unemployed Chauffeur. 45 years old, 8 years of experience, I need your help. My family depends on my work. I accept meal tickets and transportation vouchers. 1.00 real. Thank you."
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Brazil: The Legal System
By Stephen Thompson
The Brazilian justice system works slowly, so slowly in fact that many of the biggest criminals are never caught. Brazilian justice is also unjust. Brazil has one law for the rich and another for the poor. According to one lawyer I spoke to, prison is only for PPPs: pretos, pobres e as putas (blacks, poor and prostitutes). If you have money, you can escape from Justice easily in Brazil.
Brazil's legal system is also a mess. There are many different kinds of courts, the system is understaffed, and lawyers deliberately delay proceedings by appealing even when there is no chance of success. They are allowed to do this. There are many different privileges and corrupt politicians use these privileges to escape justice. For example, when they are caught receiving bribes they they can escape punishment from the Brazilian legislature by resigning. If they are being prosecuted, then the court case must be transferred to another court once they leave office or are re-elected. This is one way that corrupt politicians delay Justice.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Brazil's First World Cup?
By David Gilman
Yes it‘s true, for cricket at least. A squad of 16 players, who had to prove they were residents of Brazil for more than 7 years, or have a Brazilian passport, of which we had 3, went to Suriname to play in the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifying round 3 for South America. Captained by ex-Kent player Matt Featherstone, Dave Gilman manager, Vince Bastick coach and John Landers, President of the Associação Brasileira de Cricket.
Brazil went to play against the hosts, Chile and Turks and Caicos.
There are only 2 flights a week to Suriname so we got to Belém on Sunday the 12th to get the early Monday Suriname Airways flight to Paramaribo. It had been raining solidly in Paramaribo for 2 months until the previous Friday and the pitches were a mess. The ICC development officer for South America, Grant Dugmore, decided that he would concentrate his efforts on repairing the main field of Snellen Park and all the games except one would be played there. The wicket was clay which could be easily repaired overnight for the following game. A heavy roller was borrowed from the government and by Wednesday the pitch was decent enough to be used.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
"Down in Brazil," with Michael Franks Part 1
By Joe Lopes
Poor Michael Franks. He gets no respect, no respect at all from jazz purists.
Although most critics have grievously placed him in the same New Adult Contemporary, bush-league music category as that of L.A. keyboardist David Benoit - that is, of artists who‘ve been plying their trade for years without either public acclaim or mass countenance - Franks doesn‘t look like a Rodney Dangerfield, nor does he act or sound anything like the late stand-up comedian.
Despite decades of slaving away in the pop-music business - in itself, nothing to laugh about, that‘s for sure - his biggest obstacle to lasting success has always been his inability to please those same critics, if indeed that‘s anything to lose sleep over.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Brazil: Terraço Itália
By Mark Taylor
Located in Edifício Italia, one of the tallest buildings in São Paulo, you know you're in for something special when you need to take two elevator trips to the restaurant Terraço Itália (the first takes you to the 37th floor, and the second to the 42nd).
Terraço Itália is one of the city‘s more famous landmarks, not necessarily in terms of geography, but because of its reputation and age within the city. Edifício Italia was opened in 1964, and Terraço Itália opened soon afterwards, currently due to celebrate its 40th birthday. A further detailed history of the restaurant can be viewed at the web site (link below).
The restaurant itself comprises four specific areas: the "sala nobre" (the noble hall), the "sala panorama" (the panoramic room), and the "sala São Paulo" (the São Paulo room), as well as the "bar executivo" (executive bar) for drinks only. Both the sala nobre and sala panorama are restaurants, with the sala panorama offering a dance floor as well. Sala São Paulo is typically used for events organised by companies, although is turned into a public restaurant for special days such as new year's eve. Between the restaurants there's a classic Italian feel, although the restaurants themselves feel a little more relaxed in design. Each restaurant and the bar seat around 100 people, so around 450 in total.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>
Discussion Forum
If you've not had a chance yet then pop over to our web forum, register, and start joining in the discussion about Brazil. The forum has many discussion areas such as Living in Brazil, Teaching English, Visas and Documentation, and even a place to Vent Your Frustrations! There's also an area which allows you to comment on Gringoes.com, either with your views about past articles or other areas of the site, or to make suggestions for future articles or other content.
Each week in the newsletter we will choose a Post of the Week to give you some idea of what's happening in the forum, and a good thread to visit and read. This week we recommend the post "Best City in Brazil" started by the user Hezza in the "Best of Brazil" area. As I'm sure you can guess the post asks what is the best city in Brazil.
If you have a recommendation for the best Post of the Week then send us an email to gringoes@gringoes.com with "Post of the Week" in the subject.
On a serious note, foul language and abusive posts made in the forum will not be tolerated. The forum is intended to be a constructive and lighthearted place for discussion about Brazil.
Forex
This week saw further weakening for the US dollar, now trading at R$2.11, compared to R$2.16 last week. The Euro has also weakened, and is now at R$2.52, down from R$2.56 last week. The British Pound has also weakened, from R$3.75 last week to R$3.68.
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Classified's
Oceanfront Homes
Oceanfront homes, beachfront lots, and private islands for sale in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Please check out our site at www.investmentsonthebeach.com or call 1 (866) 772-8760 (toll free)
Home for sale in Marica, RJ
Oceanfront home for sale in Marica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. $65,900 including closing costs, purchase taxes, transfer fees, and CPF card. Please check out our site at www.investmentsonthebeach.com or call 1 (866) 772-8760 (toll free)
Programmers/Designers
Gringoes is seeking programmers and designers to help restructure the site. This will be an interesting project as we have some novel ideas for improving the site, to make it more user friendly and dynamic. We are particularly looking for people with experience in opensource content management systems (like Mambo), setting up databases, and also talented designers to give the site a facelift. If you would like to give some of your time to this project please send an email to gringoes@gringoes.com
Palmtop for Sale
PDA Palm Tungsten E for sale. Like new. Portable keyboard included. Contact gartlan@hotmail.com for more information.
American Roots Trio
Live music in English for cocktail parties, weddings, and events. Trio comprises professional musicians with experience in Nashville, TN. Repertoire includes Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, and other classic American artists. For information and to hear demo MP3s visit: www.jasonbermingham.com and click on the "MUSIC: AMERICAN ROOTS" link.
Apartment for Rent in Pinheiros
Duplex penhouse for rent in Pinheiros neighborhood (Rua Alves Guimaraes). Two bedrooms, fireplace, Jacuzzi. 75m2. Rent R$1,300 + R$530 condo. For more information and photos contact Luiz by email. lspi@dglnet.com.br
Duplex Apartment for Rent
Duplex apartment in Campo Belo, Sao Paulo city (close to Av. Berrini).
One bedroom with wardrobe; one parking spot; balcony; kitchen with fridge, stove and cupboard; condominium with shared garden; swimming pool; party hall; jacuzzi; sauna; meeting room. 46.51 m2. Rent R$ 1,400.00/month. More information and photos contact Nathalie. nathalie.cella@gmail.com
Job in São Paulo
No experience required. Monday to Friday. English speakers. Brooklin/C.Belo/Moema/Itaim/V.Olímpia. http://www.instrutordeingles.com
Portuguese for Foreigners
Learn fast. Private lessons in our school in Brooklin. Contact us: 11 3442-5390 or 11 5096-5640 from 12am to 9pm. fabioqueiroz@hotmail.com
Maresias
Wonderful apt for rent. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large kitchen, furnished, private BBQ grill, holds max of 7 people in a family condo. Pool, tennis court, 50 m from the beach, located in the nicest spot of Maresias. For more info, send email to fariamario@hotmail.com
Computer Support
Problems with your home computer? Need computer support or consultancy for your small business? I can help with IT strategy, hardware install and upgrades, wireless/wired networking, computer crashes, broadband, virus/spyware removal, email problems, ongoing maintenance and more. No call out fee - competitive rates - confidentiality respected - no job too small. 10 years Professional Experience. English and Portuguese speaking. Within São Paulo city. Tel. 8505 6428. Email marktaylor@uol.com.br
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