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: Physical Fitness and Personal Training in São Paulo Part 2

By Stephen Thompson
August 28, 2007
Here is the second and final part of Stephen's article on personal trainers. To read the first part click the relevant link at the end of the article.
My third and only female personal trainer taught me one of the most important lessons: it is just as important, or even more important to rest, as it is to exercise. Up until I started training with her, I had subscribed to the rather macho philosophy that more exercise is better. We are all living in her shrinking "Motion Ocean", in which technology is eliminating our need and incentive to take exercise, causing and aggravating problems such as obesity and RSI and chronic pain. Pete Egoscue‘s book "Chronic Pain" explains this concept well.
Before moving to Brazil, I had gradually been building exercise into my working routine, by cycling to work, and swimming in the lunch hour. I had gotten rid of my car, and used public transport or my bicycle to get around London.
The Pope once said that if God is Brazilian, then the Pope is a Carioca. Brazil is a wonderful place to get fit, and for physical activity, whether it is climbing, rafting, canoeing in the Amazon, floating down rivers in Bonito, horse riding, playing soccer on the beach or in doors, diving or swimming.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Connections: A Creative Side of Brazil

By Bernard Morris
August 28, 2007
A Brazilian friend of ours, who knows much about construction in Brazil, once told me that Brazilians have a "creative" approach to electrical hook ups. He was renovating his condo apartment in São José dos Campos at the time and bemoaned the difficulties he was having with the wiring. He said that standards are either not set or not adhered to when it comes to electrical connections. Since my wife and I had never had a problem with connecting our electronic devices to plugs in Brazil, I was more intrigued than concerned. He was adamant, however, that problems occur, inevitably, because of the apparently poorly regulated system of electrical connections in his home country. Once on a shopping errand with me in his hometown, in fact, he pointed out an example of the problem, and having my camera handy, I photographed an example of Brazilian connectivity.
Mingling vines and electrical wiring shows a taste for the artistic, I must say. After hearing my friend‘s impromptu lesson in Brazilian public works, I began to take note of the connections wherever I went, and, sure enough, I began to see other examples of creative wiring and began as well to wonder at the marvelous facility Brazilians have in making things work that seem unworkable. Back in Jarinú, for example, the connections appeared to be slightly better than those in Sao José dos Campos (see picture left).
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Around Brazil: Baía de Paranagúa

By Philip Wigan
August 27, 2007
On Superagui island, 400km south of São Paulo, there was rumour of a beached right whale 15km up the beach. We won a sea-soaked cycle race against the rising tide and reached our whale before the vultures. Locals said the 3-month old calf had died that morning, lost on its passage to warmer waters further north. Not being big on animal observation, I have to concede that this one fascinated me. You can pay good money to view live whales frolicking around the coast of southern Brazil in the winter (www.baleiafranca.org.br), but you will not touch the warm, translucent grey-blue-pink skin nor the hundreds of brushes in its foamy mouth through which the whale ingests plankton. And you will never get close enough to open its blowholes and have a look inside... no, come on, surely not?!
A 5-day cycling trip around the Baía de Paranagúa was supposed to be about saddles, mud, panniers and physical challenge. As it turned out the memories were dominated by whales and boats. ‘A Mata Atlantica‘, the Atlantic rainforest, was our stage, lush hills cascading down in a huge continuous bank from Curitiba, dispersing into a huge bay dotted by a series of islands. Water, mangrove, forest and lots of it... our two-wheel wilderness playground.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Gringoes.com Interview for ‘Around Brazil‘ Project

August 27, 2007
We managed to catch up with Chris Coates who has gone from English Teacher to TV Producer and Presenter. He has made the first cultural programme in a series about Brazil, starting in the state of São Paulo.
1) Well Chris, that‘s a big step how did you manage to get involved in television?
It‘s quite unbelievable really, after my second visit to Brazil 3 years ago I had a small idea about making a programme about Brazil, to show an image other that football, carnival, the Amazon, violence and poverty. I never talked about it again until I arrived in Brazil last year and met a journalist, we started talking about this idea again and all of a sudden she introduced me to the right people and 2 weeks later we were shooting.
2) Did you have any experience on television prior to this project, if not how did you feel in front of the camera?
To be honest no, but as for working in front of the camera, it felt a bit weird at first but after a while I gained confidence. The fact that I was doing and talking about something I enjoyed made it easier.
…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

We currently have problems with the poll, so unfortunately it's not accepting votes correctly.

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Weekly Quiz

Last week's quiz question came from Teacher Claudia: where does the popular expression "para inglês ver" come from? No-one replied correctly, so here's the answer according to Claudia: Brazil made two laws to abolish slavery. In 1831, due to England’s sanctions against slavery, Brazil created the first law, which was never put into practice, but only “para inglês ver” (for the English to see). The real slavery abolishment occurred in 1888, thanks to one of the bravest Brazilian women, Princesa Isabel.
We've run out of quiz questions so a special request for more. 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 titled Culture on Strike, taken by Leann Good in Paraty. 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.


Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

August 17, 2007
Meet Adrian Woods, from the USA, who has travelled to Brazil and the rest of Central and South America several times. 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 originally from Berkeley, California, USA. I've just returned to California after spending almost two years living in Rio de Janeiro teaching English.
2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?
This last trip was my third to Brazil. I first came to Brazil back in April, 1995. I was traveling all over Central and South America and stayed in Salvador, Bahia for 5 months and Sao Paulo for one month.
What originally attracted me to Brazil and Brazilian culture was going to the Brazil-Cameroon soccer match at Stanford stadium during the 1994 World Cup and thinking how much more fun it was to be around the Brazilian fans than fans from other countries. The singing, the dancing, the drum playing, the beautiful women, etc. I thought to myself "what unique people". I was planning to travel all around Central and South America and decided I definitely needed to add Brazil to my itinerary.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


The Brazilian Beat Goes On: My Own "Best-Of" List of Present-Day Bossa Nova Classics Part 3

By Joe Lopes
August 23, 2007
Here is part 3 of Joe's article, covering his top ten favourite tracks that reflect the pervasive influence of the classic bossa nova sound in their makeup or design. To read the previous parts click the relevant link at the bottom of the article.
4. "Breakout" (Swing Out Sister) and "Astrud" (Basia). Two other European-based artists, the Manchester, UK trio Swing Out Sister and the Polish songstress Basia (real name: Basia Trzetrzelewska - please don‘t ask me how to say it), have been co-equal contributors to the ever-widening Brazilian-music sweepstakes, and share the Number Four spot with their similar stylistic leanings.
The first group out of the gate, Swing Out Sister, comprised of lead singer Corinne Drewery, keyboardist Andy Connell, and drummer Martin Jackson, gained some semblance of notoriety (mostly in Europe and Japan) with their energetic hit single "Breakout," a horn-heavy, synth-laden production that also appeared on their debut It‘s Better to Travel from 1987 (Mercury/PolyGram).
While both bands were rushing headlong toward the winner‘s circle, the sophisticated chanteuse from Silesia grabs the top trophy overall for her fabulous Time and Tide outing on Epic (1987), an entertaining first-try at a promising solo career.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Ask a Brazilian: Brasilia Girl

August 23, 2007
To whom it may concern,
I am a man seriously considering courting a Brazilian woman from Brasilia. I am a little insecure of one thing, I don't want to be used for a ticket. I am not shallow but I am more naive and a little wet behind the ears. I do not feel that she is after papers from me but I want to know what are the signs to look for because my heart might blind me of the truth or if it is going on. We have been talking on the phone since January sometimes for hours at a time. Most of the time I call her. What will tell me if she is going to use me? Please help me understand so I don't blow it.
Anonymous
Hi,
I understand your doubt. It's hard to be sure about someone's character, right? Even when we know a person very well, we can be disappointed. In your case, as you badly know her, it gets even harder to expect anything.
…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.
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 has dropped, and is currently at R$1.97 versus R$2.01 a week ago. The Euro has also dropped, down to R$2.69, versus R$2.73 a week ago. The British Pound dropped earlier in the week, but remains unchanged over the week at R$3.97.