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 restaurant in the city centre, an exhibition at IAC, two recommended films, 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: St. Andrew's Society Golf Tournament

The American and St. Andrew‘s Societies of São Paulo are pleased to invite you to participate in our 2nd Annual "Challenge Cup", an inter-society charity golf tournament. The format will be a team competition between the two societies, AmSoc & St. Andrews.
Please confirm your participation immediately since spaces are limited.
Format: Team Twosome Best Ball
Teams: 48 golfers (each Society will have 12 teams of 2)
Winner: Team with most points wins "The Munro Cup" (only 10 best scores count)
Date: Friday, December 8, 2006
Time: 9:30 am - Registration (get your team shirt) and Warm-up
11:00 am - Brunch and/or sandwiches
11:40 am - Foursomes to Tees for Shotgun start
12:00 pm - Start of the tournament 5:00 pm - End of the tournament
5:30 pm - Awards, Cocktails and Munro Cup presentation
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Book Launch: Ships and Ports of Brazil

Solaris Cultural Publications cordially invites you to the book signing and release party of Ships and Ports of Brazil - In Postcards and Souvenir Albums, by Joao Emilio Gerodetti and Carlos Cornejo. Translated by Jason Bermingham. Edited by Johnathan E Amacker.
Date: December 7th, 6:30 - 10pm
Location: Livraria Cultura. Loja de Artes. Conjunto Nacional. Avenida Paulista, 2073. São Paulo. Tel. 3170 4033.
Read an excerpt from Ships and Ports of Brazil.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: Belo Horizonte Meet Up

For readers in Belo Horizonte there‘s a new monthly gathering for English-speaking expats called First Fridays.
The meet up will occur the first Friday of every month in the the Livraria e Café da Travessa (Av. Getulio Vargas, 1405, in Savassi) at 7pm, starting on Friday, 1 December 2006.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Gringoes.com São Paulo Meet up "debrief"

By Mark Taylor
A big thanks to everyone who attended the meet up at Drake‘s last night, I hope everyone had a great time!
Unfortunately the weather wasn‘t with us so we had to decamp from the rather chill deck to the smaller/cosier and warmer climes of the pub itself, and it did mean we got to hear some chilled tunes from the jazz trio that were playing there.
We had around 60 people, some new and some familiar faces from the last meet up. There was an incredible variety of ages and nationalities again, including readers from Siberia, South Africa, France, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Great Britain, the USA and Brazil. If I‘ve missed a country out then please let me know. One of our readers drove all the way from Itapitininga, normally a 2-hour drive, which took 6-hours because of the traffic!
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Two Brazilian Charmers Part 8

By Joe Lopes
Here is part 8 of Joe‘s article about two famous personalities from Brazil, Bidu Sayão and Carmen Miranda. To read the previous parts click the relevant links at the end of the article.
Carmen Goes Bananas
As bad as this experience may have been for Bidu, it was nothing compared to the cold shoulder offered by her own callous countrymen to Brazil's cultural ambassador of the war years, the exciting (and excitable) Carmen Miranda.
The Brazilian Bombshell's runaway success on the New York stage during the 1939-40 Broadway show season had only begun to whet the appetites of post-Depression era audiences starved for more novel and adventuresome musical fare.
It segued directly into Carmen's American movie debut in the comedy Down Argentine Way, which starred Betty Grable and Don Ameche. Released in late 1940, this first of several Twentieth Century-Fox productions featuring the exotic performer was an immediate smash with enchanted movie audiences.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: Weekly News Roundup

English Tourists Robbed in Rio
18 English tourists were robbed on their way from Rio's airport, while being transported by bus. None were seriously injured, although one was struck in the head. The bus was robbed by four gunmen carrying automatic weapons and a grenade.
Pilots Families Visit for Thanksgiving
The families of the two pilots currently held in Rio, relating to Brazil's worst air crash, came to visit them for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Telefonica Defies Communication Minister
Telefonica has launched it's pay TV service despite being told by Hélio Costa that it should wait for approval. Costa had threatened they would be taken off air, although Telefonica have said they've opened pay TV services in other South American countries without the need for approval.
…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.

Please send this email to anyone you think might find it interesting. If you have not yet registered with gringoes.com and would like to receive future newsletters click here. If you have mistakenly received this message, or would no longer like to receive mail from us, then please reply to this email with the word 'take out' in the subject line. If you are unsubscribing because the newsletter doesn't meet your needs then please let us know how we can improve it.

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Weekly Quiz

Last week's quiz question, from Steven Engler was: what are four different names that have been used for the country (besides "Brasil", which began to be used in the 1520s)? Congratulations to Eduardo D'Angelo P. Silva who was the first to reply with Monte Pascoal, Terra dos Papagaios, Ilha de Vera Cruz, and Terras de Santa Cruz. Steven's complete list is as follows: Pindorama, Ilha de Vera Cruz, Terra Nova, Terra dos Papagaios, Terra de Vera Cruz, Terra de Santa Cruz, Terra Santa Cruz do Brasil, Terra do Brasil.
This week's quiz question again comes from Steven Engler (thanks Steven!) and is: name two famous Portuguese castaways (or perhaps deserters) in the early 1500s who lived among indigenous peoples, each marrying a daughter of a cacique, and becoming important local leaders. 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 Broken Leg Biker and was taken by Martin Riordan in Rio Grande do Sul. Click here to see the photo.
Thanks to all those who've sent in photos based on our request, but we can always do with more. 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 traditional shots of beaches and sunsets. Please 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

The tip of the week comes from the Gringoes.com staff. Those travelling to Guarulhos airport can not only take advantage of the duty free shop, which can be a lot cheaper for some items, but they can also browse and reserve items over the duty free shop's web site and save time.
We've run out of tips, so a special request to Gringoes.com readers for more! 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.


Around Brazil: Ilha de Gigoia

By Ricky Skelton
Most visitors to Brazil (and possibly most Brazilians) will never have heard of Ilha de Gigoia, let alone been there. It's not a very big island - twenty minutes walk will take you right across it. The walk is an easy one as there are only footpaths on the island, no roads or cars. This gives it a tranquil air, one of those places where it's impossible not to relax with no other noises except birds singing, meat grilling and beer cans being opened around the pool. What may surprise you is that it is possible to get from the island to Leblon or Ipanema in a little over half an hour if the boats are timed right. Because Gigoia is right in the heart of Rio. Or very close to it.
It is one of the largest islands in Lagoa da Tijuca, which lies at the northern end of Barra de Tijuca, around the rocks from Praia Leblon and Pepino, and from the twinkling lights of Rocinha. If you have a car, you leave it at the edge of the lagoon. There are boats that transport all the residents from home to work or to the shopping centre and back. This means you get to know the drivers and some of the locals quickly, and feel part of the furniture within a couple of days. It may take a little longer to get where you want to go, but your journey will always start with a smile. You can sit at the Gigoia equivalent of a bus-stop and watch crabs fencing on the roots of the half-submerged trees as you wait. Then you can kick back and watch ducks drift past the boat and clouds drift past the treetops of the Floresta de Tijuca on the hills above you.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Understanding Brazil: Health Insurance

By Volker Ruther
This is one in a series of helpful articles by Volker which are a collection of information and experiences about how and where to get documents and permissions, or how to resolve bureaucratic subjects and matters in Brazil as a foreigner.
Note that although the best efforts have been made to ensure the information is valid, we cannot guarantee that it is 100% correct, as the article is based on a mixture of personal experiences and information that has been collected from various sources like Internet sites, official documents and an exchange of experiences with other foreigners in Brazil. Also even Brazilian law is subject to change, and often difficult to interpret.
Always check your own situation via a suitable source e.g. consulate or appropriately qualified lawyer, before proceeding.
The public health system (SUS, Sistema Único de Saúde) in Brazil has a lot of problems, such as crowded public hospitals and medical service units (Postos de Saúde), and long waiting lines to be attended for exams and consultations, even in cases of emergency. Therefore it‘s recommended to get private health insurance (Plano de Saúde) which can cover all medical and dental emergencies partially or completely.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Preparing for Brazil

By Cipriana Leme
Brazil is becoming the preferred destination for people seeking a drastic change of lifestyle, wanting to escape war, violence, stress, and persecution or simply find a better place to live and settle down or retire. Although Brazil has countless benefits and advantages, there are some things that you have to be ready for if you don‘t want to fall into other types of traps.
Even though the news shows increasing violence in Brazilian cities, it is not the impression you get when you first settle here. Whether you encounter violence later on all depends on following some basic rules of survival. The good thing is that there are rules and guidelines that can make life a lot easier here in contrast to there not being any, which would make the first years all the more difficult.
In my years in Brazil, 20 in all, I have travelled all over looking for the best place to live. To really get the feel of Brazil, I lived 7 years in the centre-south (São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro regions), 5 years in the northeast (Bahia) and 4 years in the south (Santa Catarina). No final conclusions yet but one thing I do know is that each part of Brazil serves its purpose. If you need to work, can handle or like cities, want a better education for your kids and cannot bear living more than 5km from the nearest hypermarket, the centre-south is the best option. For those who seek the real feel of Brazil, the northeast is the answer. And, for the less brave who want to live in a tropical country but don‘t want too much contrast and lots of peace and quiet, the south is the best choice.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

Meet Matthew Ward, from the UK, who has travelled to and is now living in Brazil. Read the following interview where he tells us about some of his 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 36 years old, British, from the Bournemouth area, where I was an English teacher for foreign students, though here in Brazil as well as teaching I've worked in Human Resources - mainly dealing with training and development for a large Brazilian metallurgical company until earlier this year.
2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?
I arrived here to live on 1 June 2002, though I'd already been for three weeks holiday during each of the previous three years, so I kind of knew what I was getting into - or thought I did! Mine is a classic EFL teacher's story - I married one of my students (Brazilian of course) and though we lived in Bournemouth for just over four years, my wife found it hard to settle and so we decided to try life here.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: A Guide to Fernando de Noronha Part 4

By Mark Taylor Here is the fourth part of Mark's guide to Fernando de Noronha. To read previous parts click the relevant link at the end of the article.
Water Sports
The water sports essentially breakdown into dedicated snorkelling trips, "planasub", and SCUBA diving. As mentioned the snorkelling trips can be very worthwhile as guides know where to spot the marine life.
Planasub is an incredible experience in its own right, and involves being towed behind a slow moving boat holding a type of waterfoil made from rigid plastic. While doing this you wear a mask and snorkel, and can be accompanied by up to 3 other people also being towed alongside you. The waterfoil when inclined allows you to descend into the water, the more it's inclined the faster you sink, and vice versa. The experience lasts around an hour, and surprisingly it's very relaxing and doesn't tire the arms. If you're lucky you may well spot a turtle or two as well, but what can make the experience even more incredible are the dolphins that often accompany both the boat and you, and will often get quite close. So you get a chance to be an honorary dolphin for a few minutes in arguably one of the most incredible experiences on the island.
…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 "Brazilian Wine" started by the user maddog in our "Living in Brazil" forum. The post is a discussion about favourite Brazilian wines.
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

Despite a peak over the last few days there's been a recent drop with the US dollar, currently at R$2.15, versus R$2.18 a week ago. The Euro has shown a similar trend with a slight drop, now at R$2.86, compared to R$2.87 a week ago. There's been a similar trend with the British Pound, currently R$4.23, against R$4.26 a week ago.