Category : Random Musings
Hi all,
Recently I have gotten a number of inquiries from other guys who are thinking of making the move to Brazil.
While a move abroad isn´t for everyone, for me it certainly has worked out well. I´ve never looked back. That said, getting established in a new country presents challenges. It helps to have friends who [...]
Hi all,
Folks who have never traveled to a developing country often imagine that developing countries are uninformly poor and backward. In truth, what you will see in a developing country are marked contrasts, with, for example, a homeless man sleeping on the street in front of a towering office building. (Hey, kind of reminds you [...]
Hi all,
It´s Wednesday, which means another random musings post.
I have written before about racism and prejudice in Brazil, and I´d like to delve a bit deeper into this subject, as race is viewed a bit differently here than in the US. A comparison might prove interesting.
My students (I´m an English teacher when not commenting on social issues [...]
Hi all,
I am becoming very Carioca. Today was the beautiful sunny day, and I was able to knock off at noon. So rather than do the things I should have been doing, I went to the beach. And good lord was it great! Perfect weather. And it´s the winter break at the universities, so the [...]
Hi all,
Well, my Mac up and died again. I am hoping that it once again springs back to life. Meanwhile, I am making due with my netbook.
Today I’d like to introduce a series. I’ll be presenting a number of writings and photos by Sid Alford, a friend of my father. Sid was married to a Brazilian [...]
Hi all,
World Cup 2010 has hardly finished, the Spaniards are probably still hung over, and already doubts are being raised about whether Brazil will be ready for the next World Cup in 2014.
There is a lot at stake here, beyond the obvious wheelbarrows of money. Pride figures in every bit as much.
The Brazilian psyche is [...]
Hi all,
Sorry that I did not post here on Friday. As we say down here, “O negocio e o seguinte…”, which translates as “The business is the following…” Typically this expression signals the beginning of a long and involved story. Top off your beer and kick back.
I´ll keep it short and just say that my [...]
Hello all,
As I mentioned in an earlier post, Brazilians incessant obsession with futebol (soccer) is one of the more annoying aspects of living here. So you can imagine what is happening now. Offices are closing, bus schedules have been reduced, and beer is flying off the grocery shelves.
I’m trying, really trying, to get interested, but [...]
Hi all,
Wow, it’s chilly this morning. I like to head over to the fresh market first thing on Wednesdays to buy vegetables for veggie soup, but I think I’ll do this post first and wait for the edge to come off the chill. brrr
I teach English to businessman and -woman here. During the course of [...]
Hi all,
Whenever you travel, you encounter differences. Goes without saying I guess. However, often it’s the little things that you stumble over. Take the time I tried to make dinner for my host.
Raquel is a friend of a friend. I stayed with her on a sweeping tour through Brazil a couple years back. To thank [...]