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, useful information pages, classified adverts, services, forum and other pages. So read on and we hope you enjoy the newsletter. As always if you have any comments, such as what you'd like to see more or less of on the site or newsletter, don't hesitate to contact us at gringoes@gringoes.com.
Please note that although we are based in São Paulo, the site and newsletter are for the whole of Brazil. We are particularly interested in hearing from people outside of São Paulo city, specifically Rio de Janeiro and the Northeast, so if you would like to write about your experiences or any topic related to Brazil see our request for "Article Writers" below.
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 a French restaurant in Consolação, an exhibition in Ibirapuera Park, two recommended films from the International Film Festival, and a roundup of some other upcoming events.
If you have been to a restaurant, club, park, museum, or anywhere else in São Paulo that you would like to recommend to other readers in future Entertainment Guides then don‘t hesitate to contact us!
Also if you are a bar, restaurant, or night club owner (or hosting any other form of event that might be of interest to foreigners) that would like to be reviewed by Gringoes.com, as well as appearing in our entertainment guide, please contact us to arrange a visit. If you would like to submit an entertainment guide for your city we‘d be interested to hear from you also.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: Morro de São Paulo

By Rodrigo Matos
Morro de São Paulo is a village on Tinharé island, but the village itself is so famous the island has assumed the name of Morro de São Paulo.
With beautiful beaches, coral reefs and surfing, this island is a very good option for people that are spending some time in Salvador. It takes around 20 minutes by plane, or 2 hours by boat, to reach there.
The island is for people that want to relax and practice all kinds of water sports. If you're into diving, there are dive operators on the island. They offer boat trips to the best sites, you can choose free dives or use tanks, you can also rent all the equipment needed. The best time for diving is from October to February.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Gringo Blog: Studying

By Gringo Blogger
By way of introduction I'm a foreigner who's lived in São Paulo city for a few years. I came here for romantic reasons with the hopes of finding a job, like many gringos (only to find out that getting work in Brazil is a near impossible task). So I'm not your typical wealthy gringo. Thankfully I am now working part time in a great job, but am still on the Holy Grail-like quest of finding full time work. I married my girlfriend early last year, so have some idea of the highs and lows of a multicultural relationship.
In my blog I'm just documenting some of the day-to-day events that happen to me, amusing or not, to give an impression of what it's like for a gringo living in the bustling metropolis of São Paulo, and Brazil in general. It's at times also meant as a tongue in cheek look at gringo life, so shouldn't be taken too seriously.
So a couple of months ago I decided that enough was enough and I ought to make some better use of my spare time, having done little practical with it for a year or two. Brazil is on some levels a paradise for a student who wants to study any type of course, as so many people here study, for their whole lives it seems! Whether it means taking a degree, a second degree, a masters, a PhD, or any other possibility of full or part time study. It's almost as if people work to study. Here in São Paulo there's an arguably even greater focus, with so many courses available in the city.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: São Paulo's International Film Festival (and The Fountain)

By Mark Taylor
One of my enduring loves is that of films/movies, which started way back as a child. Generally speaking Brazil's not the best place for a lover of films, as many international offerings inevitably have release dates several months after the US and Europe, although thankfully not all. Brazil does have a relatively busy film industry itself, but it's rare for a title to make it to the international scene, perhaps once or twice a year on average. Even though many of the home grown titles released each year are inevitably still very popular at the cinema here, so perhaps it can be equated with say France on that level.
When it comes to watching films, most cinemas here still have a lesson to learn with regards to ticket booking and seat allocation. I'm fairly patient, but I'm still not quite patient enough to endure the typical long weekend queues to buy a ticket, followed by a second long queue to have a chance of getting a good seat. In fact several times I've got to the cinema to see the queue, and turned around and gone home again.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Two Brazilian Charmers Part 3

By Joe Lopes
Here is part 3 of Joe's article about two of Brazil's most famous characters. To read the previous parts click the relevant links at the end of the article.
Prima Donna Par Excellence
With the death of De Reszke in 1925, and Theodorini‘s own passing the following year, Bidu was forced to seek assistance elsewhere in planning for her operatic future. She journeyed to Italy for the express purpose of establishing contact with former diva Emma Carelli and her husband, the noted impresario Walter Mocchi, whom she had previously heard about while living in Brazil.
Together, the couple ran the Teatro Costanzi (later called the Teatro Reale) in Rome, and, since 1910, Mocchi had also been responsible for the opera performances at Rio‘s Teatro Municipal, as well as the summer seasons at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

Meet Atlanta Foresyth, from the USA, who has travelled to Brazil many times, works with Brazilian music, and is opening a pousada in Brazil. Read the following interview where she tells us about her most memorable experiences from Brazil and gives some useful advice to newcomers.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?
I'm a vocalist, dancer and actress currently living in New York, but slowly making the move to Brazil. I grew up in a small town in northwest Florida, and my mother is a Cape Verdean American, so I always felt a strong connection with Brazilians and Brazil. Many people aren't aware that Cape Verde even exists, so I've always told people that my heritage is Brazilian. I've never been to Cape Verde and I travel to Brazil about twice a year.
Here in New York, I work with an ensemble of dancers called Brasilierando (the act of being Brazilian), DJs who love Brazilian music or Brazilian musicians. In Brazil, I'm opening a pousada.
2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?
I first came to Brazil in 2002, a few months after Sept 11 happened in New York City. I was in the building, and after a few months of just feeling disconnected to all the things I thought meant so much (work, money, the city), I escaped to the beaches of Rio and Salvador to re-evaluate my life.
…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 explain about Brazil to foreigners, and help give advice on what to do, and where to go? Perhaps you just write a frequent blog about Brazil, and would be interested in publishing some of this on our site. If you are interested in writing an article, or series of articles, or posting your blog content on 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.
We are particularly interested in hearing from people who want to write about areas other than São Paulo, specifically Rio de Janeiro and the Northeast, although other areas as well. If you are unsure about a topic then drop us an email or a draft article. Send your articles or any questions to gringoes@gringoes.com with "articles" in the subject.


Interviews

Thanks to those who responded to our request for interviews. We're building up the queue of interviews, but can always do with more, so if you would like to be in our Brazil Through Foreign Eyes, or Foreigners Through Brazilian Eyes series please send us an email. As you can see it doesn't matter if you're a foreigner to Brazil, or Brazilian, we're still interested to hear from you. The interview series is a fascinating look at how real people are enjoying Brazil, and equally how Brazilians really see foreigners. They also give various tips on what to see in Brazil, and how to survive here.
The interview itself is a set of around 15 easy-to-answer questions, and ideally we like a digital photo of you as well we can place with the interview.
So if you're interested, don't be shy, send a blank email to mark@gringoes.com with "Interview" in the subject. We will then send you the questions, and instructions on how to complete. We'd love to hear from you!

A gentle reminder to those who have been sent questions. Please don't forget to complete and return them!


Book Donations

If you are leaving Brazil and/or have any unwanted books, and are happy to donate them, then Gringoes.com would be glad to receive them! We are considering setting up a book club for Gringoes.com readers if we can get sufficient interest. For details of how to donate your books then please contact gringoes@gringoes.com with "Book Donation" in the subject.
A special request: we've had an offer of around 200 books from a Gringoes.com reader in Belo Horizonte, but we are unable to get the books to our office in São Paulo. If any readers are travelling between São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, and are able to help with transport, then please contact us at gringoes@gringoes.com


Gringoes Poll

Unfortunately there's no change in the poll this week until we can resolve if there is an issue with the database system.

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Weekly Quiz

Last week's quiz question, from Chris Hare was: although Brazil was named after the red wood found here, where does the Brazil wood get its name from? Congratulations to Jacques Allain who was first with the answer, that the name pau-brasil for Caesalpinia echinata (Brazil-wood) comes from: pau, Portuguese for "wood", and brasil is said to have come from brasa, Portuguese for "ember". This name was used earlier to describe a different species of tree which was found in Asia and other places and which also produced red dye; but the South American trees soon became the better source of red dye. Brazil wood trees were such a large part of the exports and economy of the land that the country which sprang up in that part of the world took its name from them and is now called Brazil.
This week's quiz question, from David Long, is: at the turn of the last century, what did a US and a UK traveller to Brazil have in common? (aside from speaking English) Send your answers to mark@gringoes.com with ‘Weekly Quiz’ in the subject line.
Thanks to all those who've been sending quiz questions, we've built up our reserves a little but more are always welcome! Do you think you can stump the Gringoes.com readers, then please send them to mark@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 Stone Street and was taken by Edward Gowing in Parati. Click here to see the photo.
We're running out of photos for our "Photo of the Week, so if you have a funny or unusual photo depicting life in Brazil please send it to gringoes@gringoes.com with ‘Photo of the Week’ in the subject line. Ideally we are after photos that are of something a little different, not normal shots such as beaches and sunsets. Try to send relatively high resolution images (0.5 Megapixel / 640 x 480 or bigger), and let us know where you took the photo and if you have a title for it.


Tip of the Week

This week's tip again comes from Jeremy Clark, thanks Jeremy! My last two trips I have brought my laptop. I have used Skype to contact all my friends back in Canada for free! My pousada in Salvador had wireless internet.
Is there something you wish you had known while travelling, or something that makes life easier while living here in Brazil? Then share it, and let our readers know. Don't worry about the subject, it can be either a big or small piece of useful information. Send your tips to mark@gringoes.com with ‘Tip of the Week’ in the subject line.


Brazil: Lula Unlikely to Change Course after His Massive Victory

By John Fitzpatrick
For better or worse, Brazil can now look forward to four more years with Luis Inacio Lula da Silva as its president. Lula´s overwhelming victory, in the face of hard evidence that the Workers Party (PT) he founded was mired in corrupt practices from day one of his administration, must seem astonishing to foreign observers. However, Brazilian voters are not idealistic and do not expect their political masters to be saints. They know that corruption is endemic and it will take more than one man or one party to end it. Lula won because he convinced most voters that he would serve their interests. Over the years, Lula has changed from a fiery trade union leader to a familiar avuncular figure to a huge section of the population. The main question now is whether he will use his second mandate to concentrate more on social policies at the risk of the economic stability which has marked his first term of office.
Even before voting had ended, one of Lula´s top ministers, Tarso Genro, announced the end of the "Palocci era", a reference to former finance minister, Antonio Palocci, whose stewardship of the economy won him many friends in business and many enemies in the PT and the government in general. Two other heavyweights - Lula´s chief of staff, Dilma Rousseff, and the PT president, Marco Aurelio Garcia - made similar comments later in the day and said it was now time to pursue economic development. Reports in the press claim that the Central Bank, which currently enjoys virtual independence, will be brought back under political control. This would mean that the next chairman of the Central Bank would be subordinate to the finance minister. The current chairman, Henrique Meirelles, reports directly to Lula and not to the finance minister, Guido Mantega. Meirelles is unlikely to stay on should his status change.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Understanding Brazil: Dogs

By Ricky Skelton
Barbara Woodhouse, a famous British dog trainer, once said that there was no such thing as bad dogs, just bad owners. Brazilians seem to love their dogs, much as Gringos do, but I think the relationship is somewhat different. In Britain, a dog is usually treated like an extra, junior, member of the family. In Brazil, there are essentially two types of dogs, having different places within the family. The first, and most obvious, is the pet that is really a guard dog. They come in various sizes of large, from Alsatian to Rotweiler to Great Dane. They live in an outside yard about the size of a tiger‘s cage and they behave in much the same way as a caged tiger. They can smell you coming for miles and the first bark alerts every neighbouring dog, which join in the chorus for hundreds of yards ahead of you up the road. Something similar happens with the automatic lights in office buildings. (This makes it impossible for the straying Brasileiro to sneak home late at night.) These dogs are not ones to make friends with, even if the owner introduces you. The introduction serves more as a warning to behave yourself. If staying at somebody‘s house, it is best not to get too drunk and stumble into the dog‘s area by accident. They‘ve been waiting for that moment for years.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: Squatters Rights (Usucapião) - Be Aware!

By Jose Santiago
Brazilian Law describes the way by which one can acquire the title to land. One of the methods is the "usucapião", known as adverse possession or squatter rights. The current legislation allows a person to get title to land from the actual owner simply by using the land publicly and in a peaceful way, meaning, without the intervention of the actual owner. If this occurs for a specific and continued period of time, this person, know as the possessor, may be able to claim this property as his/her own trough a lawsuit called "Ação de Usucapião" and acquire the title. The theory is that by not disputing someone else‘s usage of your property, you, as the owner have abandoned your rights to the property which could be then forfeited/transferred to the possessor.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: Privatization - Lula and Alckmin Defend the Indefensible

By John Fitzpatrick
For every 100 Brazilians, there are now 51 mobile phones and there are expected to be 100 million cellular phones in operation by the end of the year. The mobile telephony revolution has given most of the population access to a means of communication which was unthinkable 10 years ago when telecommunications was the monopoly of the inefficient state-owned concern Telebras. In those days subscribers had to wait years to get a landline, with the result that a black market sprung up with lines being sold for thousands of Reais. However, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has made privatization a campaign issue and used it to attack his rival, Geraldo Alckmin of the PSDB. Instead of seizing this advantage, Alckmin has been intimidated and is ruling out the privatization of companies like Petrobras, the Post Office, Banco do Brasil and the Caixa Economica Federal (CEF).
…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. There are many forum areas such as Living in Brazil, Teaching English, Visas and Documentation, and even a place to Vent Your Frustrations! There's also a forum which allows you to comment on Gringoes.com, either with your views about past articles, areas of the site, or to make suggestions for future articles and 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 "Is Brazilian "butting" normal?" started by the user Nancee in our "Romance" forum. The post is discussing the topic of people butting into queues.
If you have a recommendation for the best Post of the Week then send an email to mark@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

There's been several positive and negative changes over the last week with the US dollar, although it's currently down at R$2.14, versus R$2.16 a week ago. The Euro has been less volatile and risen over the last week, now at R$2.74, versus R$2.71 a week ago. The British Pound has also risen, which is now at R$4.09, versus R$4.05 a week ago.