Presidential Status

Imagine driving down Pennslyvania Ave in Washington DC and seeing a small gathering outside of the Whitehouse. You´d probably think just another protest....well in Brasil things are a little different. Canzé and I were headed to the Brasilian `Whitehouse` because I hadn´t seen it yet when we noticed a rather small gathering outside of the gates (50-60 people). We parked next to the crowd and got out to see what was going on. Well it just happened to be President Lula´s birthday which was in the midst of celebration. He was in attendance within the crowd and we got to go right up, no screening, no ID check, no metal detectors and pat him on the back.

Afterwards I was still in shock and amazement about the amount of liberty people had to just go up and shake hands with the president. This is how it should be in the USofA. I asked around and people would just tell me ´´it´s not like people hate him, sure there are political rivals, but Brasil doesn´t go around telling people how to do their business so no one has true intentions or ambitions on harming the president.´´

WOW that´s refreshing to hear, well anyway,

Let´s play SPOT THE GRINGO:

Brasilia's Landmarks in Big Sky Country

Nothing but blue skies from now on...

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1. The Brasilian Congresso, offices are in the tall twin center buildings. The H shape symbolizes humanity, the bowl to the right is for the Deputados (representatives) and it is open to symbolize that the number of Deputados is uncapped, like the U.S. House. The dome on the left is for the Senate and is closed to symbolize that the number of Senators is capped.

2. Museo Nacional, great photo exhibit on wide-ranging communities throughout all parts of Brasil.

3. Cathedral Nacional, looks good from the outside but supposedly better internally, too bad it was closed that day.

4. More Museo Nacional with bureaucracy buildings in the background.

5. Museo Nacional continued.

6. Bureaucracy: The many agencies of Brasil are all lined up in a row like encyclopedias on a bookshelf. They are all identical and have gold letters on the front to distinguish which agency is which.

7. Biblioteca Nacional, on the right. Portions of the city skyline in the background.

8. The sun shining on the Museo Nacional.

9. Museo Nacional continued.

10. Nacional Cathedral with Agencies in the background.

Brasilia; A ¨Smart¨ City?

Welcome to Brasilia, the captial of Brasil, younger than most of our parents yet much wiser. The dream of Brasilian President Kubitschek (1956-1971), this actual Sim City was planned to the T on what was once empty Kansas-like farmland. Most of the trees were planted, no residential building can be taller than 6 stories, unless it´s in the center of town, and long stretches of roads connect secluded neighborhoods spread out across the city. While the city is growing on me I´m still having a hard time buying into the idea of a ¨smart¨ city, whereas I prefer the faults of man which have given us such jewels as Austin and Lubbock.

In due time I will post pictures of the uniquely modern architecture of Oscar Niemeyer that dominates the skyline of Brasilia. But for now...

Two of my Brasilian host-brothers, from left: Canzé, Stewart, Felipe. Notice my US$4 haircut I got at the bus station the night before.

A capoeira baptism (changing of the chords, like belts in karate). I´ll try and post a video I shot of this at the bottom of the post.

Brasilians love them some Jesus Juice. This is actually a special pink version of a soft drink that´s quite good, Guarana, which usually tastes like a cherry ginger ale, this one is more like cotton candy flavored DISGUSTING!

More of my Brasilian family posted up on the deck of their apartment. From left: Felipe, Carol, and Gustavo (they say he´s my Brasilian twin). With Canzé, pictured above, and Clovis who´s in Austin, there are 5 kids ranging from to 24-31. Felipe and Gustavo are actually twins even though they share little resemblence. It is not uncommon in Brasil for siblings to look very different from each other, and no there is not a surplus of milkmen in Brasil.

ENJOY THE SHOW:

with love and respect,

Stewart

The Brazilian Oaxaca

OURO PRETO, BRAZIL

After spending the last three days in Ouro Preto, a beautiful colonial town of about 65K set in the hills of southcentral Brazil, I can´t help but be reminded of other beautiful colonial towns in Latin America, namely Oaxaca and Cuzco. With a Brazilan twist this place had it all; a great art scene, numerous cathedrals, and a sizable student crowd. Ouro Preto was also the first stop of what I hope to be many with a Servas host. And the first might just turn out to be the best. The whole family was out of town except for the father, so it was just the guys strolling the town. He showed me all the restaurants and banks which used to be the homes of his friends and family. We also could not walk two blocks without someone shouting greetings to him. It was really a special time.

PICTURE TIME:

Jose Enfêngio, my Servas host, and me in front of his latest lanscape painting of Ouro Preto.

Some of the many cathedrals of Ouro Preto:

...And it´s off to Brasilia

Rio o Rio

RIO de JANEIRO- What a place to kickoff my trip. Rio is tropical both inside and out, the people are colorful, the food is never ending and the women defy traditional anatomical standards. If you like flip-flops and t-shirts, no problem, you can eat at nice restaurants, go into office buildings and go out at night all in beach wear.

>I have also been blessed with accomadations made possible by Clovis, Brazilian friend from Austin, who arranged for me to stay with two Brazilians girls (Tati and Dani). All week it has been a big party with Dani's boyfriend Bruder and Clovis' brother Canze in town, not to mention the countless Brazilian friends of theirs.

>Everything has worked out nicely as they want to practice their English, and me my poor Portuguese, Brazilians in general have a better knowledge of English than Spanish. My Spanish is not suiting me too well as Portuguese and Spanish are two different languages (go figure!).

Now let the pictures do the talking:

Arte Vaca everywhere, like the big guitars around Austin.

Atop Pedra Bonita, Rio in the background.

Appropriately wearing my St. Ed's
t-shirt when visiting Corcovado. Chasing paragliders

Praia Ipanema on the first weekend of Summer.
(Daylight savings time already started here)

Estadio Maracana (Sao Paulo vs. Fluminense)
Rowdy, Dangerous, Incredible Capacity:95,000!

UFO-like museum by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer
with Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf mountain) in the background.

On my way to Ouro Preto, one of the colonial and ex-mining capitals of Brazil.

chao,

Stewart

Destination Rio and Beyond

Welcome,

You have taken the first step into what should be an entertaining and efficient blog for the next 3 months. My decision to travel is based primarily around cheapness, boredom at home and an unquenchable thirst for adventure. Hope everyone checks in frequently (once/twice a week) or whenever you have the time as I plan on updating with pictures and stories throughout my South American journey.

Tentative Itinerary:

BRAZIL
OCT 9-early NOV









ARGENTINA
Early NOV-mid DEC








CHILE
Mid DEC-JAN 9








* URUGUAY and PARAGUAY possibly in the mix.

thanks for your continued interest and let me know how I can do this better.

Respectfully,
Stewart