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.


Gringoes.com Hacked

Unfortunately someone decided to hack our site, among others, sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, which caused it to either display gibberish or nothing at all while we switched it off for repairs. The site was restored to its prior state, but this unfortunately meant the loss of some of the posts in our forum. We're working on beefing up security so hopefully this doesn't happen again, thanks for your patience!


Swedish Chamber Event

Swedcham Brasil kicks off its workshop format with Bengt Hallqvist, a well-known speaker within the corporate governance movement.
Mr. Hallqvist is one of the founders of the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance and was its first chairman. He has a background as executive of multinational corporations and family-owned companies and has participated in more than 50 boards of directors in more than 20 countries.
Currently Hallqvist is, besides directorships, working within the Private Sector Advisory Group of the Global Corporate Governance Forum (World Bank/International Finance Corporation). He received the Intenational Corporate Governance Award 2005 for Excellence in Corporate Governance.
As an active member and former chairman of the Swedish-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Hallqvist is leading this workshop "pro bono".
Don't miss out on this great opportunity!!
When: Tuesday, 17th of April, 2007 , 08:30 - 12.00
Where: Swedcham Brasil, Rua Oscar Freire, 379, cj. 121.
Price: Members: R$ 150.00, Non-members: R$ 300.00
Parking: Parking available in cooperation with Regent Park Hotel, Rua Oscar Freire, 533
Language: English.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Around Brazil: Jericoacoara

By Ricky Skelton
Ahh Jeri. One of those places. The bus ride from Fortaleza is fun, but only for the last hour or so as you transfer to a strange 4WD open bus-truck with high wheels, and eight people across to bounce down the sandy roads through fazendas to the beach. Wow. What a letdown. Grey. I‘d never seen a grey beach before. But back inland, and around the headland to the rear of the town, and you‘re walking down sandy roads lined with bars and trees, and the grey has gone or doesn‘t matter any more, I can‘t remember which.
Jeri faces north, hiding amongst the dunes that make the place so difficult to drive to. The wide strips of beach with dunes behind make it one of the best activity beaches in Brazil for horse-riding and buggy rides. Because to make sand dunes, you need wind to blow the sand over some stationary object. Amazingly, huge dunes can start from something as small as a shoe having sand repeatedly blown over it, for years. I didn‘t dig deep enough to find out what was underneath in Jeri, the dunes are too big. So big, that as well as the high Atlantic winds making the place ideal for surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and more, and you can also sandboard down the dunes. I‘ve been snowboarding before but my one chance to sandboard in Namibia was ruined by a stupid fall on a gravel road in the middle of absolutely nowhere. We‘d stopped for a toilet break, and with nothing to do, we decided to have a race. I fell and put a hole in my knee through which I could see the bone, all white and dry. So in Jeri, I was determined to finally make up for that.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Change and Coins in Daily Spending in Brazil

By Mr. Trend
Every few years in the US, it seems, the debate over whether we should keep the penny or not pops up. Some argue against keeping the penny, claiming (probably rightly, though I've never done enough research on it to care) that the cost of producing the penny outweighs any benefits. Others counter, however, that to get rid of the penny would be a bad idea, for it would only lead to the increase of prices (something that even retailers are against, because, in the consumer mind, $12.99 is twelve dollars, but $13.00 is just 13).
However, Brazil has actually offered some fascinating insight into this debate for me. The change system here works so different, that it actually offers insight into life without a penny. Technically, there is a one-cent piece in Brazil, but nobody uses it. Instead, the market economy here at the microlevel operates on what can only be described as the "close enough" model. For example, if you go to the grocery store, and your groceries total 13.03, you only have to give 13.00 to the cashier - the three cents doesn't matter. Or, conversely, if your groceries total 12.97, you give the cashier 13 reais, and don't worry about the three cents you're not getting back. Everybody basically assumes that it all balances out in the end - sometimes, you pay a few cents more than you owe, but sometimes you pay a few cents less, and it comes out about 50/50. The funny thing is, from all of my observations, that's about correct. In all my experiences, it has come out about 50/50.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Understanding Brazil: Sworn Translations Part 7

By José Henrique Lamensdorf
Here's part 7 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.
18. I have (or I know someone who has) a degree in Translation, but I'm not a Certified Public Translator, and I need a sworn translation. If I do the translation and give it to a Public Translator to get it "sworn", will I be entitled to any kind of discount?
No, you won't. No Public Translator will "swear" your translation. Though a notary public may certify a photocopy you made yourself from a document, a sworn translation involves interpreting the document's content, something for which the Public Translator will be personally responsible. And the law that sets the rates does not allow any discounts.
If your document involves very specialized terms and you provide suggestions for the translation of some highly technical terms, at the Public Translator's sole discretion, he might (or not) use your suggestions.
…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

This week's poll, continued from last week, is on President Bush's visit to Brazil. Do you think the visit will strengthen ties between the USA and Brazil, or will it make no change, or even worsen the relationship? The current favourite answer to that question is "perhaps" with 25% of the vote, and "definitely" and "not really" are in joint second place with 21%. 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.

Competition! Submit An Article

There's another chance to win our 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 you need to submit an article by 28th March, which must be about São Paulo, and have a topic that would be be of interest to foreigners living, working and/or travelling in the city. Next fortnight we'll open the article topic out to anything about 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 Laize de Lima and was: what was the name of the first newspaper in São Paulo, and what year was it first published? No-one responded with the correct answer, according to Laize, which was O Farol Paulistano in 1827.
This week's quiz question is from Alex Magnus (thanks Alex!) and is: what link does James Mason, a former valet of the British ambassador in Ankara, have with Brazil?
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 Cats and Dogs and was taken by Michael Abrams 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.


The George W. Bush PR Show Comes to Brazil

By John Fitzpatrick
During his lighting visit to Brazil George W. Bush was hardly recognizable as the man who toppled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, engineered the overthrow and execution of Saddam Hussein, and gripped Iran, Syria and North Korea by the throat. He set in motion the procedures leading to a bilateral agreement on biofuels, heaped loads of praise on Brazil and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in particular, and even danced spontaneously at an event for poorer children. Apart from some scattered violence at a demonstration in São Paulo, the visit went very smoothly. As a PR exercise, it was highly successful but it is doubtful if it will bring any real breakthroughs, particularly in dismantling trade barriers or safeguarding the environment.
Lula looked a little ill at ease at times as though he did not want to be praised in public by Bush who is detested by his Workers Party (PT) and viewed with suspicion by a large sector of Brazilian society. He also sounded a little desperate when he repeated his "willingness to participate in a meeting in any part of the world to bring together leaders if this can help us overcome the final difficulties between us and a truly historic (trade) agreement", as though half a dozen world leaders locked in a room can suddenly solve one of the world´s trickiest problems.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

Meet Sylvie Campbell, from the UK, who has travelled around Brazil with an interest to working 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 Sylvie Campbell. I work in agriculture in the North East of Scotland, near Aberdeen. My interests are in livestock breeding, cattle, sheep and pigs. And I also help run a sizeable strawberry farm, supplying supermarkets.
2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?
I first visited Brazil in October 2003 and was shown round farms in the Campinas area. Over four days we covered nearly 2500kms but saw a lot of good farms. The highlight was probably Holambra. Agriculture was the pull. In the same year I visited Chile and Argentina to compare them all. I revisited in 2005 and 2006 and am now looking at the longer term out in Brazil.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: Weekly News Roundup

Bush Arrives in Brazil
The main story this week is President Bush's visit to Latin America, which kicked off this Thursday in São Paulo city. Bush's primary agenda is promoting democracy, trade, and cooperation on biofuels. His visit has provoked storms of protest across the country, which included a march of thousands in São Paulo city ending in a clash with riot police, and other protests have included an invasion of a mine and bank as a symbol of perceived US corporate greed. Several thousand personnel, including the army and police, have been involved in security for Bush's visit to Brazil, which included a protected route from his trip from Guarulhos airport to the Hilton Morumbi. Today (Friday) Bush will head to Uruguay, where more protest marches have been organised.
Murdered Toddler left in Church
The body of eighteen month-old toddler Gabrielli Cristina Eichholz was discovered in an evangelical church in the city of Joinville, located in São Paulo state, this Monday. The toddler had been left there by her parents earlier in the day to be cared for with a group of children, but was found floating face down in the font when the relatives came to collect her. It is believed that someone came to collect her purporting to be her father. The toddler had been raped, strangled, and hit over the head with a blunt object.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Around Brazil: João Pessoa Part 1

By Tamashin
I have always been curious about João Pessoa, especially when I read posts from the so called Captain Bill on the Gringoes.com forum. It did seem the ideal place for my young family to live in, and for me especially to retire to. Then I read John Fitzpatrick article, João Pessoa - a Victim of its Own Success, which gave a different view and realised I really must go and see this place for myself. I didn‘t want to write a travelogue. There are many tourist information guides on the web which do a much better job than I could ever do. Rather, I wanted to something from the perspective of wanting to live there, with a few tourism gems thrown in.
Due to the problems at the airports (December 2006 strikes), my wife and I decided to drive the 3000kms, rather than fly. It was a good decision. We saw and appreciated a lot more of Brasil than we would have done by plane.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


A Walk on the Weill Side: The Influences on Chico‘s "Modern" Street Opera Part 1

By Joe Lopes
"I have never acknowledged the difference between ‘serious‘ music and ‘light‘ music. There is only good music and bad music... the great classical composers wrote for their contemporary audiences. They wanted those who heard their music to understand it, and they did."
-Kurt Weill, in an interview in The New York Sun, February 1940
"It seems to me that the American popular song, growing out of American folk music, is the basis of the American musical theater... it is quite legitimate to use the form of the popular song and gradually fill it out with new musical content."
-Kurt Weill, in a letter to music critic Olin Downes, 1949
Two quotes, two different occasions, two strikingly similar views on music‘s universality and appeal. Both of these enlightened commentaries, spaced almost a decade apart, as they were, issued forth from the mouth of a German-Jewish immigrant to the U.S. noted for his enthusiastic embrace of American citizenship in spite of Old Country ties to Europe.
…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 "Hot food in Sao Paulo?" started by the user grindigo in our "Living in Brazil" forum. The post is discussing about the lack of spicy food in both São Paulo and 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

The US dollar is slightly down over the week, currently at R$2.09, compared with R$2.11 a week ago. The Euro has followed a similar trend and is also down slightly to R$2.77, versus R$2.78 a week ago. The British Pound has again dropped slightly to R$4.06, against R$4.08 last week.