Category : Rio de Janeiro

Rock in Rio comes to an end

Rock in Rio comes to an end

Hi all, If I asked you what the largest concert event in the world is, would you guess Rock in Rio? I wouldn’t have. As I got up this morning, the stragglers from last night’s performances down in Barra were probably just falling into bed. Rock in Rio began this year on Friday, September 23rd, [...]

Independence Day in Brazil

Independence Day in Brazil

Hi all, It’s very quiet this morning here in RIo. It’s September 7th – Brazil’s Independence Day – and most folks seem to be sleeping in. Brazil’s road to independence was much different the than US’s. Whereas the US fought a long and bloody war – which they nearly lost in the early days of [...]

Tram derails in Rio

Tram derails in Rio

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 [...]

Earth Cam

Hi all, My buddy Greg loves Brazil and also keeps current with tech stuff. He sent me an email this weekend about a camera which automaticaly shoots and uploads pictures of Rio at intervals. Here’s the link: http://www.earthcam.com/brazil/riodejaneiro/. Greg figures the camera must be mounted on a hotel. The current series of pictures isn’t very clear, [...]

Say it ain’t so! Brasil upsets the US

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 [...]

My new post on HostelBookers: Paraty

My new post on HostelBookers: Paraty

Hi all, You may have read my post from a couple months back about hostels here in Rio. Hostels are one way to save some money when visiting this increasingly expensive city. Hostels have become more upscale. Don’t expect to find huge dorm rooms with racks of bunk beds. HostelBookers.com is a great place to [...]

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a manhole cover?

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a manhole cover?

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? [...]

International Military Sports Council Games

International Military Sports Council Games

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 [...]

Google has added street views to maps of Rio

Hi all, Not to sound like a dinosaur, but I am frequently amazed by the unstoppable progression of technology. I received an e-mail my my good friend Greg this week. Greg is a convert. I brought him to Brazil years ago, and he fell in love with the place same as me. We returned together [...]

Rio attacks poverty

Hi all, This Saturday the government of Rio de Janeiro state (the state in which the city of Rio lies is also called Rio de Janeiro) launches the Renda Melhor (Better Income) program. The ambitious three-year, billion-real (US$638 million) program is intended to eradicate extreme poverty in RJ. 340,000 families will benefit from the program. [...]