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: The Business of Climate Change Part 1

By Tim Cowman
October 9, 2007
Climate change is THE hot topic (please excuse the pun) of the moment. No more so than in the country commonly referred to as the lungs of the world, Brazil. Over the next four weeks Tim Cowman will bring us up to speed on the newly created business of the climate.
Despite presently having no commitment targets under the Kyoto Protocol, Brazil has been one of the countries at the centre of the carbon market that has been created off the back of this international agreement.
Consultancies, chambers of commerce, banks, investment agencies, technology suppliers and industries have flocked into this country to set up Clean Development Mechanism projects (see previous article The Kyoto Protocol: A Brazilian Opportunity? Part 1 & 2). In short, CDM projects are ways in which European or Japanese companies can invest in carbon reduction projects here in Brazil as a way of reaching their own commitment targets.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: A Clean (but Sandy) Break From Life Part 2

By Katie O'Hara
October 9, 2007
Here is the second and final part of Katie‘s article about Jericoacoara. To read the first part click the link at the end of the article.
Recharged by solar energy, I took advantage of the fresh water once more. I rented a mask from a young boy and challenged myself to a swim to the other side of the lake. The water was clear enough to see the bottom the whole way across which was nothing but a soft layer of dirt, sand and clay. I did see a shipwreck though on my way over, and dove deep down into its murky shadows. (Alright, perhaps it was just a little paddle boat about ten feet under.) Afterwards, I climbed into one of the hammocks suspended inside the lake from two large wooden posts. In the reserve position from Lagoa Azul, I lay supine with my hands folded behind my head, water tickling my bottom, feeling completely at ease, happy to not have a care in the world. My mind was as clear as the water, my body so relaxed I had to sigh, no place to go, nothing to think about. I could just be... until the group decided to move on.
Without knowing or caring what the next destination would bring, I sat in the back of the truck and let the wind blow through my wet hair. At the request of another passenger, Sandro made an unexpected stop at a hut on the side of the road where they were processing mandioca flour.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Will Lula Leave Brazil in Safe or Unsafe Hands?

By John Fitzpatrick
October 8, 2007
Politics is an ongoing process that never stops and the democratic system of holding regular elections means that as soon as one election is over the politicians start looking ahead to the next one. The losers can plan a comeback, the winners can try and consolidate their victory and new entrants can aim for a place. In Brazil, the political parties are looking ahead to 2008 when there will be municipal elections and to 2009 when there will be presidential elections. The next presidential election will be the first in 20 years in which current President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, will not be a candidate as he is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election for a third term. Since he is the only national figure with any genuine popular support, he will play a crucial role in the electoral process and would-be contenders are already trying to gain his support or figure out ways to overcome the Lula effect. There are reports that he might take official leave i.e. drop out for part of 2009 to canvas for his chosen candidate. Ironically, this may not even be a candidate of the Workers Party (PT) which Lula founded almost 30 years ago.
…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.
An extra addition this week, as we've had a couple of article suggestions that none of the Gringoes.com staff feel they are capable of writing. So the hope is that a reader out there would be interested. The two topic suggestions are:
1. Renting Cars in Brazil - covering say any license requirements, insurance (and any related peculiarities), and perhaps a summary guide on the oddities of driving in Brazil
2. Brazilian Swear Words and Slang - we're a bit wary of this topic in case we offend more sensitive readers, but it could also prove a useful guide to not saying the wrong thing (we're aware that Tamashin has already written a large slang guide).
If you are interested in writing then contact mark@gringoes.com.
Equally if you have any article ideas that you'd like to see written, then feel free to drop us a line.


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 is on the English fluency of Brazilians you encounter in everyday life. Do you encounter English speakers all the time, infrequently, or never? 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.

Weekly Quiz

Last week's quiz question was from Karen: what is the complete name of Oscar Americano's father and whom was he named after. Also, who was his famous uncle, whom was he named after, and what was he famous for. Congratulations to Jacques Allain who was first to reply with all the correct answers as follows: The father of Oscar Americano was OSCAR AMERICANO DE CALDAS the son of a poor Portuguese immigrant called Pereira, who had 2 sons. He called the first Oscar, AMERICANO for the continent and CALDAS after the village in Minas Gerais where they lived. The second son was called VITAL BRASIL DE CAMPANHA. Vital meaning vitality, BRASIL for the country and CAMPANHA after the village they had moved to. He became a doctor, famous for his research of tropical diseases, who founded the world known Instituto Butantã.
This week's quiz question is again from Karen (thanks Karen!): the Solar da Marquesa in S.Paulo is the former home of the Marquise of Santos, mistress of Emperor D.Pedro I, which was bought for her in 1843 and auctioned in a public sale 12 years after her death in 1867. WHO WAS THE NEXT OCCUPANT of the Solar? WHICH IS THE ONLY FURNITURE ITEM that belonged to the marquise and remains there to this day? Don't forget to answer both parts of the question! Send your answer to mark@gringoes.com with ‘Weekly Quiz’ in the subject line.
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 O Sapateiro, taken by Manfred Teubner in Peruibe. 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

October 5, 2007
Meet Jim Jones, from the USA, who recently moved to 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 am 43 years old, married to a Carioca and we have a 6 yr old son. I am a Tennessee native, we lived the last 6 years in Florida which helped prepare me for the Rio weather. I was in the real estate and construction business.
2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?
We moved to Rio de Janeiro in Feb 2007. We wanted to be closer to my wife‘s family even though we would visit 3 weeks a year for the last 7 years. We also wanted our son to know Brazil and learn the language. The Brazilian people are the best! They have a way of making you feel at home, a real part of the family.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


On Soul (Brazil as a Mission)

By Teacher Claudia
October 5, 2007
Dear readers, why does one come to Brazil? Give it some thought, before you answer. I believe it was back in 2000 the first time I saw the clip of the song "A Minha Alma" by O Rappa. I cried in despair. It was a song clip, yet it showed the best and the worst of my country. It‘s hard to put in words what they sing of, and how the images picture it.
But you know, we do get used to anything. That‘s human. Be it in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, we just get used to homeless people sleeping on the streets, we get used to beggars everywhere, and we go past them as if it were natural. We can distinguish the sound of bullets from fireworks, and we know more or less where and when to go. We keep living, among corruption and misery. And this is the point of my starting question. Why would anyone come here?
As a language teacher, I‘ve met all kinds of people and a variety of reasons to explain why people come to Brazil. Job assignments. Health recovery. Love for a Brazilian. Love. I can honestly tell you I‘ve just had my best Immersion Course, thanks to the student. She‘s come to my country because of love.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Ask a Brazilian: Truck Wheels

October 4, 2007
This is our regular column called "Ask a Brazilian", the idea being that you can quite literally ask a question of a Brazilian for those issues you aren't sure about but perhaps dare not ask someone else. It is meant as a bit of fun and answers should not be construed as expert opinion or the definitive reply on the matter. For that reason we ask you to please send comments and experiences in order to add to our replies.
Hi,
What are those strange metal things that are attached to the wheel-hubs of trucks, that sometimes have a little black cord or tube that attaches to the air valve?
James
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: "Opera" in the Amazon - Werner Herzog‘s Fitzcarraldo, or The Madness of Foreign Men Part 2

By Joe Lopes
October 4, 2007
Here is the second part of Joe's article about Werner Herzog's film Fitzarraldo. To read part 1 click the relevant link at the end of the article.
Opera à la Carte (and in Your Face)
Relative to this is Fitzcarraldo‘s openly mad obsession with the operatic art (shared fully by the movie‘s obsessive-minded director), made apparent by his constant playing of scratchy old 78‘s on a dilapidated Victrola - a lifesaver, it turns out, for him and his steamboat‘s motley crew; and in the fantasy-like opening sequence, a harbinger of greater "eccentricity" to come.
In it, we glimpse the disheveled Irishman, in his trademark white planter‘s suit and wide-brimmed hat, alongside his bordello-owner mistress Molly (played by Italian actress Claudia Cardinale), exhausted after a 1200-mile trek down the Amazon River, feverishly paddling away in an open-air motorboat, as he tries to catch what remains of Verdi‘s four-act opera Ernani, starring his favorite singer, the fabled Enrico Caruso (voiced by real-life tenor Veriano Luchetti).
…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 again this week, and is currently at R$1.80 versus R$1.84 a week ago. The Euro has also dropped over the week, from R$2.59 to R$2.55. The British Pound also fell, from R$3.74 to R$3.69.