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: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Vivenda, Rio de Janeiro

By Alison McGowan
May 27, 2008
Pousada Vivenda is a dream come true for owner John Hudson. Not only is his eye for design evident everywhere, but also his belief in offering quality, comfort and personal service at all times. The result is a rustic-chic style, with exuberant tropical touches. Although not in the historical centre of Paraty, this has its own advantages. Most of the action is a nice safe 10 minute walk away, along the river, and the pousada, in turn, is wonderfully tranquil.
Vivenda is very small with 2 chalet-type self catering bungalows and one double suite, spread around a delightful swimming pool and bar. Add some gentle background Brazilian jazz to the very personal service and intelligent conversation with John and other guests, and the impression is that you are at a very informal, yet sophisticated, house party. Wonderful!
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Ask a Brazilian: What Do the Police Do?

May 22, 2008
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.
What I'd like to know is exactly what the function(s) of the PMERJ/PM (Policia Militar, Military Police) is. If any. I've asked my friends here, in Sao Paulo state, Minas state etc., and they all look at me mystified and either laugh or answer "eu nao sei!" (I don't know!). I've never seen them help in case of an auto breakdown, or an altercation, have seen them just watch traffic violations, and several times been in night clubs where they've been socializing with the girls and drinking chopp or mixed drinks in uniform (on duty). I have seen them stop motorcycles - myself included - for reasons my wife couldn't find out. Is there something I'm missing in their duties that I can't see? When I first started coming here - mid 70's - when the military was in control, there seemed to be much more law and order under them than there is now, with much less of an obvious presence.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Dave, EUA & RJ
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: Maracanã or Molineux?

By Rupert Rowling
May 20, 2008
Before coming to Brazil in February, I imagined Brazil as the spiritual home of football, where on every patch of grass or dirt people would be kicking about a ball, or substitute, and at weekends hordes of people would descend on full to bursting stadiums, all over the country to watch their stars perform. Such was the Brazilian passion for "o jogo bonito".
However, the reality is quite different. Apart from the "grandes clasicos", such as the state finals, international games and clashes between city rivals, the majority of games are played out in front of quarter-full stadiums or even less. For example, on a recent visit to Rio de Janeiro, I went to see Fluminense take on Americano in the Campeanato Carioca at the world famous Maracanã. This magnificent stadium was recently redeveloped for the 2007 Pan-American Games, making it into a 92 thousand all-seated sporting theatre, rivalling any of the great stadia across the globe. However, being there amongst a crowd of just over six thousand, on a rain soaked evening, watching Fluminense labour to defeat Americano, has to be amongst the least edifying sporting events I have witnessed. The seemingly never-ending stream of swear words that poured forth from one disgruntled fan could be heard by everyone, so lacking of atmosphere was "O Templo do Futebol". A help to my grasping of Portuguese it may have been, but a hindrance to the spectacle it certainly was.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Article Writers - Gringoes.com Wants You!

Are you a "Gringo" or Brazilian interested in writing for our site? Have you...

Photo of the Week

The photo of the week is titled I Want To See taken by Andrea Guimarães in Avaré, 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.


Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada da Terra, Minas Gerais

By Alison McGowan
May 20, 2008
Tiradentes is wonderful. After hours of rolling green hills, dark pink and terracotta earth, and seemingly interminably potholed roads you reach this picture perfect, almost unspoilt, colonial town, nestling at the foot of the huge escarpment of Saõ José, where gold was first found in the early 1700s. The town owes its existence to this, but its fame to Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, popularly known as "Tiradentes" - or "teethpuller" - who, convicted of rebellion and treason, was hung drawn and quartered in 1792.
These days Tiradentes is becoming better known, but it still retains a sleepy feel outside of festival season due to its difficult access. The Pousada da Terra, with its wonderful atmosphere and gorgeous surroundings, is only one of some 100 pousadas here, but is always the one I come back to.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil: One Country, Many Flavours

By Silke Tischendorf-Lewin
May 19, 2008
The large country between the Amazon and Pampas possesses a nearly inexhaustible variety of food and beverages. Brazil is one of the most multicultural countries - its cultural variety developed from the European immigrants to the descendants of the slaves over to the indigenous people, which becomes especially apparent in a culinary sense. Not only from the gringo's beloved Caipirinha, made of Brazilian sugar cane liquor (Cachaça), but also with Brazilian wines which are gaining popularity - not only in the domestic market, but also in Europe, Canada, the US and Japan.
Although Brazil is neither among the traditional wine growing regions nor among the major wine consumption regions (~2 litres/capita p.a.), its wine has gained an enormous importance over the last few years due to multiple factors: its more accessible price, guaranteeing that not only certain privileged people can afford wine, but also Brazil‘s ethnic mixture and climate. Historically Brazil has had a beer drinking culture (it seems, for some reason, beer transcends all ethnicity) - and let‘s say that the great majority of the Brazilian beers are very good. However, a more open group of the population with a certain amount of income tend to look for an alternative drink, something more sophisticated, diverse and elegant for the demanding palate. Drinking wine (of course in moderation) during your meal is one of the healthiest habits, however, it is not yet part of the traditional daily Brazilian diet. Sparkling wine in particular is almost only consumed during special occasions.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

May 16, 2008
Meet Eric Jones from the USA who has recently visited Brazil. Read the following interview in which he tells us about some of his most memorable experiences and gives some useful advice to newcomers.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?
I was born and raised in a small city located in the Southeast part of Wisconsin. Our family is very close (3 sisters and one brother) and we are lucky to have healthy and active parents who are in their late 70's. My education led me early on to a career in teaching and then to school administration prior to owning and operating my own businesses. My brother and I built up a school bus contracting business with over 750 school buses and purchased my father's business which entails chartering over-the-road motorcoaches. Over the past few years I have sold my interest in the businesses I owned and am now at a point where I am planning the next phase(s) of my life. I am single but hopefully will be changing that soon! My hobbies include staying active, flying private small aircraft, restoring classic cars and enjoying nature/traveling.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Around Brazil: A Last Minute Trip to the Amazon

By Marc Korn
May 15, 2008
It‘s amazing what you can accomplish with a "dar um jetinho" (can do) attitude. Like plan a trip to the Amazon... in the 48 hours before leaving! That‘s what I did last December. In this story I want to share my experiences of this trip with you, the good - and the one thing I would do differently.
I first visited Brazil 3 years ago and I loved it... the people, the food, the culture... everything! I‘ve been back 5 times now and I‘ve studied Brazilian Portuguese at language schools in New York City ever since that first visit. As a biologist I especially enjoy traveling to wildlife areas - of which Brazil has so many - the Pantanal, Chapada Diamantina, Fernando de Noronha, the Amazon - to name a few.
Christmas vacation week was fast approaching and I had no plans. Work was... well... the corporate world can be a trying place at times. Getting away would be great. But the logistics were somewhat daunting... could I get plane tickets and reservations a few days in advance of one of the most heavily traveled weeks of the year?
…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! If you've got some burning question about Brazil, or just want to discuss a particular topic, then you're bound to get an answer there.
There's also a forum which allows you to comment and give us feedback 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, abusive posts and certain types of advertising in the forum will not be tolerated. Make sure to check the Read This First area first before posting. The forum is intended to be a constructive and lighthearted place for discussion about Brazil.


Forex

The US Dollar remains unchanged over the fortnight, at R$1.67. The Euro has risen, from R$2.57 to R$2.61. The British Pound has also risen, from R$3.24 to R$3.31.