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.


Understanding Brazil: Permanent Visa by Stable Union

By Andrea
For those interested in applying for a Permanent Visa based on the "união estável" (the stable union, based on Resolucao Administrativa Nº 05, de 03 Dezembro de 2003), here is how I successfully applied for one in September 2006, with the visa finally issued in February 2007.
It‘s a lengthy process and from start to finish probably took 9 months, but if you are super organized and lucky - it can probably be done in 3 months (they advised 1 - 5 months from the time they receive the documents). It's very useful for those who don't want to marry to receive the visa, or are in a homosexual relationship where marriage may not be recognised. The resolution can be viewed, in Portuguese, at the Ministry of Work and Employment's website, and details the various options under which the visa can be obtained, paraphrased below:
1. Proof of a relationship issued by the applicant's government, which must be translated and legalised by the Brazilian consulate, when applicable.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Around Brazil: Salvador

By Ricky Skelton
I was looking forward to my trip to Salvador. I couldn‘t wait to get to the heart of Brazil‘s African culture, and sample food and music that were different to the more European-influenced areas of the south. I enjoyed the journey there, bouncing along at the front of the boat as the city slowly appeared on the horizon. Most other people didn‘t though. Todo mundo were seasick.
Maybe it was because of the sky and the sea being the same colour that rough day, but at first sight, Salvador appeared to me to be totally grey. This wasn‘t what I‘d expected! From everything I‘d read about the city, I thought I was going to find bright swirls of African colour on every corner! The buildings of the lower part of town seemed run-down and empty, even if there were shops on the ground floor. The ride in the lift to the high part and the old slave market gave me a good view of the bay and the islands in it. I think that was the last time I felt relaxed in Salvador.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Nature and Nurturing in Chile's Lake Region

By Marilyn Diggs
Chile really has it all: the Atacama Desert, its Mediterranean-like central valley, mountainous lake regions, and frosty Patagonian glaciers. These contrasts aren‘t surprising given it is in the longest and narrowest country in South America: 2,700 miles stretching from the tropics almost to Antarctica.
The Lake Region, or Los Lagos, attracts tourists year-round with its mirror-surfaced lakes reflecting the surrounding snowcapped volcanoes (many still active) and pleasant weather. Volcanoes usually yield hot springs, and one of Chile‘s most famous thermal resorts is Termas de Puyehue (pronounced Poo-YEAH-way, and pictured to the right). I included it on my recent trip itinerary as a must-see.
The hotel‘s location in southern Chile couldn‘t have been better. It is at the entrance of the Puyehue National Park with over 100,000 hectares of evergreen forest and is next to a thermal water source located in the Andes Mountains. I learned from the park ranger that the region‘s earliest inhabitants, the hearty Mapuche Indians, resisted Spanish conquistadores for 300 years. It wasn‘t until the 1880s that treaties made it safe for European settlement. Puyehue is Mapuche for the "the place of the little bird" and everything is named Puyehue - the lake, the river, the volcano, the park, hotels and restaurants.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Understanding Brazil: Sworn Translations Part 3

By José Henrique Lamensdorf
Here's part 3 of José's article about sworn translations in Brazil, subtitled "Almost Everything You Wanted to Know About Certified/Sworn Translations in Brazil". To read the previous parts click the link at the end of the article.
5. I've seen some Brazilian sworn translations, and they looked quite different, one from each other. What varies?
There are specific rules for the stationery or joint printing of the Public Translator's letterhead and text. The layout and content must be identical to a sample submitted by each translator and specifically approved. Otherwise, there are no restrictions to appearance. Some translators use one or more of the following: hard cover, green-yellow ribbon, eyelets, golden stamps, embossed seals, etc. Some will take great pains to replicate every graphic element on the original. Others won't use anything like this, as it won't represent any difference in cost.
6. How much does a sworn translation cost?
The mandatory rates are set by the "Junta Comercial" of each state. For the State of São Paulo, the prices per "lauda" can be found at JUCESP. The rates are set by the "lauda" and depend on the type of document (common or special texts), and if it's a translation INTO Portuguese ("tradução") or FROM Portuguese ("versão").
…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've almost run out though, 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!


Gringoes Poll

Last week's poll was on what section you most enjoy in the newsletter: do you prefer the articles, photo of the week, or something else? The current favourite by far, with 49% of the vote, is "articles", followed by "interviews" with 23%, and "photo of the week" with 19%. Of course if you feel something is missing from the newsletter you can always drop us a line.
This week's poll is on your favourite region in Brazil, and where you'd live given the choice: would it be in the cooler south, or the hot northeast? If you haven't yet voted go to our homepage and look for the poll in the left-hand column.
If you can't stand our poll ideas and have better ones, or are curious about some aspect of the Gringoes.com readers, then send your ideas to us at mark@gringoes.com with "Poll Idea" in the subject. If we choose your poll you will get a credit in the newsletter, as well as the satisfaction of seeing what the answers are!

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.

Earn your Executive MBA degree with the University of Pittsburgh in São Paulo Ranked 17th among US-programs and 35th in the world by the Financial Times, the University of Pittsburgh offers an Executive MBA Worldwide Program in Brazil. With 10 modules of study in São Paulo, one in Europe and one in the U.S., the program helps professionals advance their careers, enhance their network of important high-level contacts, and develop their managerial competencies. For more information, please email BrazilMBA@katz.pitt.edu or call (011) 5180-3639. Website: www.emba.pitt.edu

Competition! Submit An Article

This is the first in a regular fortnightly competition for budding writers who just needed some extra incentive to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard). Each fortnight we'll give a prize of a R$150 voucher for the Tabu Restaurant located in the Sonesta Hotel, in São Paulo.
To win the prize this week you need to submit an article about São Paulo city that will be of interest to foreigners living, working and/or travelling in the city e.g. a review of a place you've visited, tips on places to visit etc. Next fortnight we'll open the article topic out to anywhere in Brazil. Note this is open to both new and regular contributors.
Send your articles to mark@gringoes.com with "Competition" in the subject. Note that the article needs to be your own work, and cannot have been published previously.


Weekly Quiz

Last week's quiz question was from Jacques Allain and was: what is the name of one of Brazil's foremost writers, onetime doctor and for many years diplomat, and polyglot, who died three days after taking up his chair at the 'Academia Brasileira das Letras'? And what is his most important book's title? Congratulations to Michael Roy Smith who was first with the correct answers as follows: João Guimarães Rosa (1908-1967), 'Grande Sertão: Veredas'.
This week's quiz question is from Laize de Lima (thanks Laize!) and is: what was the population of São Paulo in 1600, and how many houses did the city have? Don't forget to answer all parts of the question!
Do you think you can stump the Gringoes.com readers? If so then please send your quiz questions 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 The Tree Was Stronger and was taken by Vasily Sosnovskiy in São Paulo. 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

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.


Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

Meet Eric Karukin, from the USA, who first travelled to Brazil almost 20 years ago, and has subsequently moved there. 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.?
My Name is Eric Karukin, I am from Tampa Bay area of Florida USA, raised in Miami Beach. I was married for 15 years to a Carioca woman that I met in Miami, and we divorced a little over 2 years ago. She remained in the USA with our 2 children, my daughter 15 years old and my son 13 years old. I am currently expecting a baby boy due January 22nd with my new wife who is also a Carioca. We currently live in an area of Bangu called Rio Prato a middle class area.
2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?
I first came to Brazil in 1989 on vacation, and later got married to a Brazilian in the USA. I then came every year on vacation to see her family and let the children visit their family here as well. I came down with my children a couple of years ago to Angra Dos Reis where their family is living. While in the street one afternoon I met an English speaking Brazilian woman and we hit it off. I have only returned to the USA to visit and now consider Brazil my home.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: Weekly News Roundup

Congonhas Runway Confusion
On Tuesday three large types of jet were banned by a judge due to fears that the runway wasn't long enough to cater for them, and spurred by a lack of funding for runway repairs. The ban was subsequently reversed , and plans are now going ahead to ensure that planes have better traction. The work could take four months and cause delays at the airport.
Triple Border Area Under Scrutiny
Brazil's Justice Minister has promised to step up policing efforts in the so called "triple border area", between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. The area is home to 20,000 Arabs, many of whom are drugs and arms traffickers, smugglers and counterfeiters. The USA has described the area as a focal point for Islamic extremism in Latin America.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: The Great North Road Part 3

By Tamashin
Here is part 3 of Tamashin's article about his road trip from São Paulo to João Pessoa. To read the previous parts please click the relevant links at the end of the article.
The next day was very overcast. As we made our way to São Mateus, I found the scenery to be as equally dull and uninteresting, nothing like how my friends had described. The road conditions were good. Approaching Campos is quite surreal. Everywhere around the city is completely flat and then your have this city with its high rises which looms up in front of you like a scene from Mad Max 2. We lost a lot of time driving through that city just because of poor traffic management. Our well intentioned lorry driver friend had given us a "Flecha" hotel guide. The hotels were basic but sound. However, when we finally reached São Mateus we found that the hotels were part of a petrol station, bus terminal, and truck stop, and the noise from the bedroom was unbearable. So we drove a bit further to what appeared to be a nicer hotel called "The Royal Palace Hotel". By now the rain had taken a firm hold on this side of Brazil. As we slept, São Mateus flooded and its main bridge carrying the BR101 was underwater. "It can‘t be passed" the hotel manager said gleefully "you‘ll all have to stay here" he said to the assembled guests. The thought of staying there one more night spurred us into conversation with a fellow traveller. He was a local travelling salesman. He had been on his mobile chatting to all his friends, working out an alternative route. He announced to the assembled throng that he had found a way round but it was a 184km detour! With "you‘ll have to stay here" still ringing in my ears I said that I would go with him. Then he added "don‘t worry, I‘m not going to kidnap you" which in my book meant he was.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Around Brazil: Natal Part 1

By Hal
Natal (Christmas in Portuguese), the capital and largest city of the state of Rio Grande no Norte (RN), was one of the first European settlements in the northeast. The village which grew to be our city, was established 25th December 1599. It is on the South Atlantic at the mouth of the Potengi river. On your map you will find it on the big hump on the northeast coast of Brazil closest to Africa. We are about 5° below the equator.
French pirates "occupied" Natal in the 1590's. They "traded" with the native Potiguares - a name which is still used to characterize folks born in Rio Grande do Norte: in the indian Tupi language it means "people who eat shrimp".
The French were driven out by the Portuguese in 1597 leaving no traces. The still standing Forte dos Reis Magos (named after the biblical Three Wise Kings, and pictured above) was built in 1598-99 to guard the harbor and mouth of the river. I think it one of the most interesting historic sites in Natal.
…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 "St. Valentine" started by the user Russell in our "Romance" forum. The post is discussing about celebrating Valentine's Day in Brazil.
If you have a recommendation for Post of the Week then send an email to mark@gringoes.com with "Post of the Week" in the subject.
Note that foul language and abusive posts 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 rise earlier in the week the US dollar remains unchanged overall from last week, at R$2.09. The Euro had a similar rise, but is up slightly at R$2.74, versus R$2.72 a week ago. The British Pound has dropped slightly, and is currently at R$4.10, compared with R$4.12 a week ago.