Posted in My Trips, News, Travel Recommendations on 25. Dec, 2011
Hi all, A few years ago, National Geographic produced an amazing miniseries called Planet Earth. It’s running again right now on the Animal Planet channel. If you can catch it, watch the episode about the Fresh Water environments. I saw it late last night (couldn’t sleep anticipating Santa’s arrival). At about minute 45 of the [...]
Posted in Brazil Facts, News, Rio de Janeiro on 14. Nov, 2011
Perhaps things truly are changing. Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio and perhaps in Latin America, was retaken in the pre-dawn hours yesterday (Sunday) without a shot. This stands in contrast to, for example, the invasion of Complexo do Alemão about this same time last year, when fighting was fierce and dozens of armed gang [...]
Posted in Brazil Facts, News, Random Musings, Rio de Janeiro on 12. Nov, 2011
Hi all, This will be an historic weekend here in Rio. The BPChoque, the “Shock Troops” of the Military Police – Brazil’s SWAT – will occupy Rocinha, Rio’s largest favela. If you saw the 2008 version of The Hulk, starring Edward Norton, you will probably remember the opening sequence in which a helicopter flies over a [...]
Posted in News on 06. Nov, 2011
Hi all, The big story here the past week has been the announcement that former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva – known by everyone simply as Lula – has throat cancer. Or maybe that’s the second-biggest story. The big story seems to be that he is being treated in a posh private hospital in [...]
Posted in News, Rio de Janeiro on 17. Oct, 2011
Hi all, Wow, so much has been happening in Rio recently. I’ve been busy with my life, but will try to catch you up this week. Early last Thursday, about 7:30 AM, an explosion burst from a downtown restaurant, spewting debris and picking up and hurling unfortunate passersby over 100 feet. Three were killed and [...]
Posted in Brazil Facts, News on 23. Sep, 2011
Hi all, On Wednesday, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil became the first woman to present the opening address to the UN General Assembly. Rousseff addressed the 66th General Assembly, saying her speech represents the equality of women, a theme of her talk, calling this “the century of the woman.” Rousseff is also seeking to continue [...]
Posted in News, Rio de Janeiro on 04. Sep, 2011
Hi all, Last Saturday, as I was traveling back to Rio, a bonde car – the electric tram – derailed in Santa Teresa, a hilly bohemian neighborhood near Rio’s downtown. Five people were killed and almost 60 were injured. While no official cause has been given, a number of factors appear to have contributed to [...]
Posted in News, Rio de Janeiro on 24. Jul, 2011
Hi all, Recently I wrote that Brazil is hosting the World Military Games. Today Brazil and the US squared off in basketball – and Brazil won, 59 to 52. Argh. Yes, I live in Brazil now, and so am happy for their team, but come on! We INVENTED the game, guys! Here’s the game, presented [...]
Posted in News, Rio de Janeiro on 08. Jul, 2011
Hi all, I have said before here on JIB that the dangers of Rio are exaggerated. I may have to revise that statement. What? Are the drug lords making a resurgence? No, the “pacification” of the favelas by the BOPE (local SWAT teams) and UPP (“Unification Police”) continues steadily. Are robberies on the rise? Assaults? [...]
Posted in 2016 Olympics, Activities, News, Rio de Janeiro on 30. Jun, 2011
Hi all, Wow, that’s a mouthful! International Military Sports Council Games. These games are held every 4 years, one year before the Olympics. This year they will be held in Rio, in about 2 weeks. The games are generally called the CISM Games. CISM stands for Conseil International du Sport. Why they gave the games [...]
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