Daily Life in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Air France Flight 447

Recently, on the birthday of my friend who passed away in the Air France crash, I thought I'd find out what the latest is on the investigation. There wasn't much news, other than that Air France does intend to continue looking for the black box, and that the families have filed suits.

Then, this weekend, there was a memorial held for the victims, here in Leblon. Apparently several people at the event wore black armbands to protest the lack of transparency of the French authorities in the investigation. Article here.

A glass plaque was also erected in memory of the passengers on board. 228 birds, one for each passenger. Canadoca and I will go for a walk there this week to see it.

Brazil in the News

As I haven't done one of these posts in ages, some of these news items are a bit old but have been in the back of my mind to share for awhile... I'll start with newer items and end with older ones.

• Perhaps the craziest news I've heard out of Brazil in awhile; Futebol on the praia (beach soccer) is being BANNED as of December 1! Article here. Apparently hundreds of police will be enforcing this law. Don't get me started on that use of resources... this is part of our new mayor's mandate to clean up Rio. I wonder when he plans to get started on the public urination problem? This is right up there with stopping people's household good shipments because of a lone jar of peanut butter but then letting a container of automatic weapons go through. Which is by the way something that happens like every day...  Maybe I should write him a letter. And for those who think it is not a problem in Rio any more than anywhere else, I have to tell you that my husband's auditors were in Rio last week and it was one of the only things that they commented on about Rio! (the xixi).
• Brazil is expected to publish a list of trade sanctions against the US tomorrow, in retaliation for Washington's cotton subsidies. Article here. 
• Curious about what the view is like from the Penthouse in the Copacabana Palace? Click here to see, part of an article on luxury resorts in RIo. 
• Madonna is expected to come back to Rio tomorrow, and is rumoured to be staying at Fasano. Portuguese article only, here. 
• 60 Minutes reported that a series of power outages in Brazil in 2005 and 2007 were caused by cyber attacks. Article here.
• Lula has an impersonator on the radio...
• There have been a number of large-scale international investments in Brazil's real estate sector lately, click here for more details. 
• The BBC reports on walls going up around a number of Rio's favelas here.
• It looks like Woody Allen's 2011 project will be shot and set in Rio. Should be interesting! Article here.

Explains the fear of Halloween?

This article is crazy. Maybe this explains why Halloween is so disliked here - the dead walk in Brazil on a normal day, why would we need a special day for it. Click the link but the gist of the story is that there was a man falsely identified by family members as being killed in a car wreck. He later showed up at his own funeral.

The key question that comes to mind: I wonder how much "paperwork" will be required to clean this mess up?

Tonight, On Oprah...

If you are here in Rio, try and catch The Oprah Winfrey Show on GNT at 8 pm. It will feature a segment on Rio de Janeiro. As Oprah runs about 2 weeks behind here in Brazil, I've already heard different things about this episode from a number of people back home, and therefore have had to try not to form too many opinions about what was featured until I see it for myself...  it is an episode about women around the world, and apparently a woman from Ipanema and her maid were interviewed for the Rio portion. To view some "after the show" questions asked, click here.

Also on Oprah's site about Rio - a guide to traveling here (there is one for each of the Olympic 2016 Candidate cities) 

I'm hoping some of you come back and let me know what you thought of the episode and how Rio and its women were portrayed. Can't wait to watch!

Parabens, RIO!

Well, Rio, you did it! I think I am still in shock. I am the first to admit when I am mistaken and in this case I certainly was - I did NOT think that Rio would be awarded the games, but I sure am glad it was.

I had a tear in my eye as I watched - up until the part when I saw Lula, red faced, bawling uncontrollably into a handkerchief, at the press conference and then at that point I switched to laughing... So cute. Brazil certainly brings the passion!!! I wish I could have been down on Copacabana with the masses, celebrating.

Now comes the hard part, and it will be interesting to see how Rio pulls it off. No matter what the outcome, the 2016 Olympics are sure to be picturesque, entertaining and one of a kind. I hope this brings about changes for the better for Rio.

Today's the BIG DAY!!!

I am anxiously awaiting the result of the IOC vote today - where will the 2016 Olympics be held?

According to what I've been reading, against all odds, Rio is now considered a frontrunner... who would have thought?

I remember how emotional I was the day that Vancouver was selected to host the 2010 games, and I think if Rio is selected this will be even moreso the case for me - it would just bring about so many opportunities for Rio and Brazil in general, and give it some exposure to the world. There are so many misconceptions about Brazil and this would help educate people on what it's really all about. I hope it would also result in the improvement of many living conditions and infrastructure in the city - much needed.

I've been a bit vocal about my disapproval of the amount of money spent on what seemed like a long shot bid, considering that Rio wasn't initially intended to make the final ballot (Doha was vetoed by the committee because of its hot climate, despite scoring higher than Rio in preliminary rounds of city selection). Recent crime sprees in the Zona Sul while the world's eyes are on any news coming out of Brazil also make me curious if this is sort of a demonstration of protest coming from the city's less fortunate - one could hardly blame them for thinking the money could have been spent elsewhere, considering the price tag of the bid and the lousy living conditions for many in Rio.  Considering how many issues first world countries have in preparing a city for the frenzy of the games, I've often wondered how on EARTH Rio could ever get it together - but when it comes down to it, I hope Rio gets the games.  I wish I were in Rio today to head on down to Copacabana for the big announcement - but I am still traveling.

Eu Quero!

While I Was Away

Something changed in Ipanema...

Anyone know what is missing from this photo? (Ie something that used to be there isn't anymore!)

Also - anyone know why?

Rio 2016 video

I knew this would be good. Here is Rio's little promo video as part of the submission for hosting the 2016 games. I remember when I watched Vancouver's a few years back and it brought tears to my eyes it was so beautiful. Rio's doesn't disappoint. One observation I do have is that it seems incredibly tranquil - and given Rio's reputation internationally, I venture to guess that this is deliberate. Check out the video, it's beautiful, and I am proud to say that I've been almost everywhere that is featured.

Where to go for HELP?

HELP Discoteca is a famous "landmark" on Copacabana beach.  Here is the web site.  I've often heard it referred to as the biggest brothel in South America.

It's right along Avenida Atlantica in Copacabana, across from where the outdoor market sets up nightly. Most of the female "clientele" consists of prostitutes and transvestite prostitutes. The male clientele consists of 1) men looking for this type of thing and 2) men who are gullible. I did a quick internet search while looking for the web site, and came across some hilarious travel reviews from men who didn't clue in to the club's actual setup 'the chicks were all over me!' haha... yeah you the man.

Anyway, word on the street is that Help Discoteca is closing its doors, and that the building will become a music museum.

Obviously there are positives to a place referred to as the biggest brothel in South America being shut down. However, there are also negatives.

Such as... displaced sex trade workers. Where will they go? Where will the work? On the streets? This does not seem like a positive thing to me.

Reading Rio's News in English

The Gringo Times is one way to read news about Rio in English. They even have an RSS feed you can set up (also available for this site, folks!)...

I also read online news in Portuguese but then usually take advantage of Google Translate on my toolbar to make sense of it all.  Helps a lot!

Rio Crime Crackdown

Rio's new mayor is making a serious effort to demonstrate his intent to crack down on crime. Even though it seems small, recent examples I've witnessed. Note - this is having not EVER seen anything like this before - when my dad was here, he commented that he hadn't noticed a single police officer doing anything - my response was that neither had I, and I'd lived here for months. Anyway, I've noticed:

• Towing of cars - something I hadn't seen before, now almost a daily thing.
• Checkstops - checking for vehicle registration and intoxicated drivers.

Other items I didn't personally witness:

• The shutdown of two cocaine factories in Rocinha.
• Walls are now being constructed around several favelas around town, to "stop deforestation" - I guess that is the PC way to put it. I found an article about this issue here.
• Illegal vendors being shut down/monitored.

Rio residents don't seem to be loving the new system. I've seen people yelling at the tow truck drivers (no, it didn't appear as though it was because it was their car), and according to this report, police officers at the checkstops have been receiving verbal abuse as well.  Many Carioca's feel like this is a post-election tactic that will disappear in time, but I hope not, because the city could use a bit more order and less crime.

Unpleasant no matter how you swing it

So I was reviewing some local news last night and came across a very tragic story - a couple was driving home from the shopping center after purchasing clothes and things for the bedroom of the baby girl they were expecting in a couple of months. They were in the Zona Norte, and they were hijacked, the wife was shot as she tried to exit the vehicle, and killed. Through some sort of emergency c-section the baby was saved, but at 28 weeks it is touch and go as to the baby's survival. What a horrible story! To read the full (Portuguese) story click here.

As a sidenote, being pregnant I have been slightly less concerned with something happening to me as I figure it's a bit of a security blanket and people will not mess with me, rather would have more compassion. Clearly this was not a fair or good assumption to make. Note that this has not meant I've been taking any extra chances, rather just a matter of feelings.  Also good to note - many victims of random violence in Rio are not "targeted" so much as they are bystanders. 

Security Update

I hate to make this such a regular thing, but such is life, of course...

Friends of friends were carjacked in Barra yesterday at 2:30 in the afternoon after leaving a bank. 2 guys pulled up on motorcycles (one on each side) and both people in the car were shot, both are alive, but wounded.  Not cool.

I also received a news bulletin detailing some stolen uniforms in the Rio area. Apparently this had happened in the past with the postal service, now it has happened with the "Dengue Patrol" from the Minister of Health. Meaning that if you are living here and someone just randomly shows up from the ministry of health for a dengue inspection, or a utility company for example, do NOT allow them access to your apartment. If you did order it, ask for company ID. This may seem obvious but still.

If the representative of a Public Agency with whom you have not scheduled to visit to your residence (i.e., CEDAE, LIGHT,  SECRETARIA  DE SAÚDE - DENGUE, PREFEITURA, etc.) ask to see their identity as well as the identification of the Agency they work for.

Back to Rio de Janeiro

The situation in Rio this week has started to hit the international media...

• The Washington Post's "Day in Photos" - See Photo 28.
• BBC News' "Day in Photos" - see Photo 1.
• Trend News Agency reports on a ton of marijuana being seized from Rocinha.
• The shoot-out in Copacabana on Monday was reported by The Press Association.

Use Caution!

I don't like having to make these posts all the time and do not intend to be a source of things to fear, but there have been a number of incidents in involving the gang in Rocinha recently, and last night there was a shooting on the street at 7 pm right by the Jockey Club/Lagoa.  Apparently Rocinha is warring with a favela in Copacabana, and yesterday there were many people shot, (four of which were killed) in Copacabana, on a main street (traffic was interrupted for an hour and a half). (Article here).  I don't have a lot of details but wanted to mention it to people... 

Just One More Reason You Should Not Get Your "NEWS" from FOX!

Bloggers are constantly getting a bad rap because we can basically post whatever we want and no one is "checking our facts" (except of course our readers, I know mine certainly keep me in line when I make an error, and I appreciate it, and when this happens and I have put misinformation on my site I do what I can to correct the situation).  I realize not all bloggers do this, and also realize that there is a lot of BS out there on blogs.  But bloggers should not be the only ones under fire when the professional media apparently does not have standards that are any higher! Take this example, which is currently creating a bit of friction between Canada and the United States.

See "How to Lose Friends and Alienate Countries" on YouTube.

Although the Canadian military seems to have taken the stance that FOX's moronic comments don't deserve more attention and should be ignored, I would like to address it.

The gist of it - a late night (I believe it airs at 3 am in some time zones) American political satire show made some rather inappropriate comments about Canada's military's plan to take a 1 year break from field operations after its tour in Afghanistan ends in 2011.  From what I understand, Canada at that point will have been there for about 10 years and has taken on much of the most dangerous territory.

So people have an opinion about it, that is understandable.  However, this is where it gets ridiculous:

"Isn't this the perfect time to invade this ridiculous country? They have no army!"

– Greg Gutfeld on Fox News's Red Eye, March 17

Later, the apology: "I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize."
– Gutfeld's official apology (which understandably has failed to satisfy most...)

Ummmmm no I think "isn't this the perfect time to invade this ridiculous country" is pretty clear. I don't think anyone misunderstood that one...

The show did not stop there and began poking fun at Canadian "culture" and police. As the daughter of a retired RCMP officer I do feel the need to clarify a few things for those who may not know.  One of Gutfeld's sidekicks made these genius comments in a very mocking tone (see video):

"Does this surprise any of us?... We have police officers and they have Mounties. Our cops ride heavily armoured cars, they ride horses. We have bullet proof vests, they have wonderful little red jackets that can be seen a mile away.  This is not a smart culture, Greg!"

Just to clarify...

• the RCMP generally do not dress in what we call "Red Serge" unless it is a special occasion.  They do not typically fight crime dressed in red.
  
• I'm not sure that my father has ridden a horse since he finished his training, about 30 years ago. I would suspect that this would be the same for most "mounties" unless of course they are part of the "musical ride"
• RCMP officers do wear bullet proof vests.

I am not claiming to be some sort of advocate of the RCMP nor am I suggesting it's perfect, I am just trying to provide some clarity and truth here.

The last part of the quote: This is not what we would call a smart culture.  I am not even going to touch that one!

Another panelist, a comedian, commented that he did not even know that Canada HAD troops in Afghanistan (so in that case, why are these people so upset that they are leaving in 2 years, if they didn't even know they were there in the first place?).  I read this morning in the Canadian media that said comedian was scheduled to perform in Edmonton next month was forced by the venue to cancel.  Probably a good idea.

As always, I love what Rick Mercer has to say on the issue... "If you're going to do satire, three of the most important rules are you have to tell the truth, you can't be a bully and don't be an asshole," he said, adding: "Being a bully is not satire." He added that the fact that Red Eye airs in the middle of the night is a sign that it isn't experiencing "the pinnacle of success."

My point:
I am not attempting to make some sort of big US vs Canada deal out of this, because a few ill-informed talking heads do not a country represent, and apparently a lot of Americans are very upset about this situation.  Rather, my priority is to point out how important it is that we consider our sources when consuming any media.  Credibility should be everything. Personally I do think some heads should roll, but not because of the "insults" to Canada or its military or RCMP, but because of the lack of truth and fact-checking. I realize it is a satirical take on the news and not the news itself but it is a FOX News program and so more care should be taken. How is it that these people have these jobs?

More on the Brazilian Economy

According to TIME, Brazil might be the only country to avoid the recession. Click here to read more.

In the News & On my Nerves

I believe these stories are meant to hit a nerve... mission accomplished.

From the BBC, on Saturday.... A nine year old Brazilian girl is pregnant with twins, after alleged abuse by her stepfather. She is legally allowed to have an abortion, as Brazil does permit abortions in certain situations, such as when there are risks to the mother, or in cases of rape.  The mother & doctors who came to this nine year old girl's aid have been ex-communicated from the Catholic church... and the vatican is now defending this move.  Sick.

President Obama uses a teleprompter. A lot. I think this is a big SO WHAT? I mean, doesn't the guy have better things to do than memorize a million speeches? He represents his country well when he speaks.  Read more here.

Check out RioGringa's blog for the latest on the Goldman saga, aka "the other side of the story"... poor David Goldman!

Vanity Fair explores the world of plastic surgeons... by having an attractive 27 year old 5"9, 120 lb woman go to three of them to see what she "needs" - check out the recommendations.  Unreal!

Another Scare.

I really don't intend to just write about the scary, horrible, crime related things that happen in Rio, and do not want anyone to get the wrong idea - living in Rio can be quite the fun adventure, if you read more of this blog, you will see that I feel very passionately about this. However it is not fair to only share one side of this very complicated city. The incident I am about to tell you about has really shaken people up here.

So today it's necessary to do two scary posts in a row, because two scary things have happened! It's just the way it goes.

I am a bit late to write about this, but I am writing about it nonetheless.  Last Tuesday night, a couple had dinner at Pomodorino, a favorite restaurant of mine on the Lagoa.  It's the "little yellow house" restaurant I've written up in the past. From what I could gather after reading several articles from different new sources, they were getting into their car at about 1 am, when another vehicle pulled up.  It does not sound like they used the valet service, rather that it was parked outside the restaurant. They thought it was someone they knew. Instead, it was a group of 4 carjackers, 2 of them armed. They got out of the vehicle in an attempt to hand it over, but were forced back into the car, he was headbutted, they had a gun to her neck, they were robbed, told that they would be killed, driven to Sao Conrado, and thrown over the cliff/into the wall down 10 meters near the VIP motel for those who are familiar, and left for dead. She held on to some rocks, he luckily got stuck in the branches of a tree, but they both lived.  They yelled for help and were rescued by police.

The police located the suspects in Leblon and began pursuing them, they led them to an entrance of Rocinha and fled on foot. 

Here is an interesting portion of the story - it has been written that traffickers lend weapons to such individuals as these carjackers, in exchange for a cut of what is stolen. In this case, once it was known that the police knew the assailants were in Rocinha, supposedly the traffickers beat and subsequently turned in the suspects to the police in order to get the police out of Rocinha so that "business" could continue as usual.

At the time of arrest on Wednesday night, three of the suspects had the stolen documents, credit cards and jewelry from the victims. The fourth suspect was arrested in the Miguel Couto Hospital, where he was being treated for injuries sustained by firearms.

These men are also suspected of having committed four other similar robberies in 2009, three of the four on that same Tuesday evening.

To read more, click here or here.

Expats + The Recession

So... how are expats affected by the recession?

Well, it depends on the expat. In our situation, we feel pretty well-positioned. For the time being my husband has job security in that he has a contract for at least the next year, yes our portfolio has taken a hit, but we're young, yes his company recently went through a bit of turmoil but it is weathering the storm.  He makes US dollars and so the weakening of the Canadian dollar is good for us (and good for exporters and most of Canada, too).  Our living costs are covered, so fluctuations are not an issue... we feel very lucky. That said, my husband has worked VERY hard and continues to do so. One item we may potentially be affected by in a big way is our home in Canada - we decided to keep it, and my sister and her boyfriend are currently living in it. We said right from the start that we probably would not move back into it once we repatriate, as we may even change cities.  We'd decide then what to do, it is in a very desirable area so renting it out could be a good option.  Now with the baby coming, moving back into it is looking even less likely.  We do like having our stuff stored there and cared for and it is certainly convenient to stay there when we are visiting Canada, also my sister has a great place to live at a significantly lower cost to her than she would find anywhere else.  However, being that it was probably worth at least $100,000 more when we left than it is today, we probably should have sold it!

This week there was an article in the Independent (UK) entitled "Move Abroad to Beat the Recession Blues" - encouraging Brits to move abroad. Interestingly enough, Brazil was the first destination mentioned in the article. Other recommended locales: New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Abu Dabi, Qatar. The article also features a "where not to go" - Spain, Australia & Dubai. I love how articles like this just make it sound so easy. I can see why this article came to be, though. It's tough to beat the expat lifestyle right now.

However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Other expats are not as lucky.  Some projects are being shut down due to cost cutting, and people are being sent home. It is not surprising, as expats are very expensive for companies. I often joke that shareholders should be enraged, then I am reminded on a daily basis of why we are all here when I hear stories from the offices...

The International Herald Tribune recently published an article about expats in the banking industry losing their jobs and being forced to return home.  The article discusses the trickle effect of losing these expats, for example the impact on private schools, as this is a very common perk in expat packages - private schools for children. In many cases where an ex-pat loses employment, they cannot afford to stay in their city as the cost of living is simply too high once they are paying for their own costs. This would certainly be the case for us!

So expats, what do you have to say? How is the recession affecting you? Do you feel more affected or less affected than you would back home? How so? Are you like me and sorry you didn't sell your house back home???

Bikers, Beware

Sadly, I must inform you of two incidents that happened to friends of mine in the past week.

One friend was riding her new bike (which may have made her a target) in the morning along the beach in Leblon. She stopped to cross the street, and a fellow came up to her and tried to grab her bike away.  She resisted a bit, and a couple who were walking nearby also came to her aid, they scared the guy off.

Another friend was riding her bike at 9:30 in the morning along the Lagoa, when a man sitting on a park bench jumped up suddenly, and stole her bike, knocking her to the ground. She was shaken up but not injured, thank goodness.

In both cases I am very glad that it was not worse, obviously, but it is still sad that this has happened. I will be much more careful on my bike... not that these women weren't being careful! I don't really think that there is anything they could have done to prevent these incidents, besides staying at home, and that's no fun.

So bikers, be aware!

As an aside, it seems as though many incidents in this area that I have been hearing of, have been happening around 9:30 in the morning, a time of day when I probably feel safest (and obviously shouldn't!).

Canadians pick up Goldman story

Click here to watch Canada AM featuring David Goldman.

Looking at the Bright Side

... of the economic crisis:

• An article detailing some of the benefits to health.   Reduction in consumption of alcohol, restaurant meals, not working out... all downsides of boomtimes. According to the article, economic studies suggest that people tend not to take care of themselves in boom times.  It was also found that parents take better personal care of their children when the economy is not booming.  I guess there has to be a silver lining somewhere! The obvious clarification I need to make is when people are in poverty as that is seldom good for anyone's health.
• You may not get a better wage, so how's a bigger title? Ahhhh title inflation... click here for more.
• Better sex during the recession? According to a funny piece by Bonnie Fuller, business is good at sex shops & lingerie retailers, despite the downturn elsewhere...  hits a common thread as the first article, on investing in life & relationships rather than jobs & stocks...
• Also related - apparently prostitution is yet another industry hurting through the economic crisis. Maybe not such a bad thing! More details here.

Rio & The Olympic Bidding Process for 2016

Each city bidding on the Olympics has an Edge...

For Tokyo: The Government will take on all cost overruns. And the games will be green! The plan is to install large solar panels on the stadium.

Madrid: Claims to be the safest choice, as 77% of the facilities and venues it would require are already built or currently under construction. Makes sense. "Madrid deserves the Games for three reasons: unanimous support from its citizens, nearly all of the installations are finished and organizational experience," former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch said.

Chicago: Word has it Obama wants it there... which alone could even get your average Brazilian to vote for it being there, seriously! (Not that they get a vote, of course... I'm just sayin').  Other bonuses - it's charming lakefront, US olympic games typically garner more funds raised by sponsorships, TV money, etc.

Rio: Plans to use facilities from the 2007 Pan American Games as well as the new and renovated venues from hosting the 2014 World Cup. Brazil's claim it has not been hit as hard as other nations by the economic crisis.  The fact that the Olympics have never been held in South America. The natural beauty, youth, energy, diversity and splendor of the city.  Here's something funny from a member of Brazil's Olympic Commitee: "Barack Obama is more Rio than he is Chicago," Osorio said. "We are the ones saying 'Yes we can.' We are the city of change."

Of course, every venue or city has challenges as well!

Tokyo's: Include having hosted before (in 1964).

Madrid's: It is notable that Madrid recently bid on the 2012 games, which of course went to London, and would mean two consecutive summer Olympic Games in Europe.

Chicago's: The city won't provide international officials with the kind of safety net they want—a blanket government financial guarantee... I'm not sure that any of the cities are providing this, though.

Rio's are of course its infrastructure and crime issues.  The fact that Doha actually scored higher on the initial bid process, but Rio squeaked in by default as Doha was vetoed by judges because of how high the temperature is there in the summer. The high projected cost of Brazilian games ($14.4 BILLION)

The big decision/announcement of course takes place October 2!

Brazil - Come one, come all

Expat friends of mine in Rio were recently asked by a local they had met on the street if some sort of crime they had committed back home had attracted them to moving to Brazil.  A little offended, they answered no, job transfers had brought them here.

Recent cases in the media have made me realize that the question was not as off-side as we all initially deemed it to be.

Why?

Take the Goldman case.  A Brazilian woman living in the US, raising her child, an American citizen, married to an American, kidnaps her son, brings him here and the child's father can't seem to get custody back, even once the mother passes away.  Sounds like a safe haven for kidnappers to me... For more info, check out RioGringa's site as she has the full scoop on the background of this story and first introduced me to it.

Recently Brazil made the news for being involved in a legal battle with Italy, after Brazil refused to extradite an Italian militant that Italy describes as a "terrorist".  Brazil has granted this terrorist political refugee status. You can read more here.

Does it concern me for my personal safety living here that Brazil welcomes these types of people with open arms? Not particularly.  However, what IS frightening is how quickly the numbers of these types could multiply now that the word is out that Brazil makes it so easy for them.

I must also comment on the irony of how seemingly "easy" it is for these people to be here, considering how difficult it was for us and all expats to migrate here.   Have I mentioned that we don't have our Residence Cards yet?????  And if you are a longtime reader of this blog, you know how long it took for us to get our visa's...

David Goldman Link

Here is a link to David Goldman's interview with the Today Show after being reunited with his son Sean. Very moving!  This poor guy. I hope he gets to take his boy home.  Watching the video again is just so emotional, especially seeing how much this poor guy has aged from the stress over the past 4 years. Unreal. I also feel so sorry for the son, this must be so confusing for him.

Emotions running high....

I'm constantly checking the news and Bring Sean Home blog today, and the facebook group for the cause as well waiting to hear news...

And apparently, finally there was good news to be had... according to a news report, David Goldman did get to see his son today.  Hooray!!! A major feat but what this man deserves is to take his little boy home.

I was first introduced to the story from Rachel's RioGringa blog, she has been a huge support to David Goldman, and really helped get this story out (the Brazilian media has refused to cover the story).  For more background on the story, check her site out. David Goldman is the man who was featured on Dateline NBC last week for his absolutely infuriating struggle to see his child, who was kidnapped by his mother at age 4, brought to Brazil illegally, denied permission to see his father by his mother and now by his stepfather.  The boy's mother has since passed away, and still despite court orders, David Goldman had not SEEN his son in over 4 years, because Sean's STEP-father, a powerful lawyer, has him. It's absolutely tragic. Terrifying to see what powerful people can accomplish - keeping a child away from his only biological parent? It's horrific.

If you haven't heard anything about this story yet, watch the Dateline NBC hour-long interview with David and Meredith Vieira that aired about a week ago. It tells the story from start to finish and is very moving, yet frustrating to watch because this situation is so infuriating.  Watching over home videos and photos what an amazing father David seems to be makes it even more emotional. And emotional I am right now... watch the Dateline piece and you'll be, too...

Reminders

That life is not always a beach in Rio.
Yesterday at 10:30 in the morning in Ipanema, a British couple was robbed outside their hotel and STABBED by the assailant. The husband in the chest, the wife in the hand. He is still in hospital and expected to survive. A reminder that we can never be too careful here in Rio, and never to resist someone trying to rob you - it's not worth your life!

On January 2nd we heard of a couple who were robbed at a RESTAURANT in Copacabana within hours of landing in Rio, and according to this article, ten days ago, three men robbed two Italian tourists at knifepoint near Rio's Copacabana Beach.

Be careful!

Things I've Learned...

By actually reading my google alerts.
See, I've got a bit of time on my hand right now and am catching up on reading my google alerts, and even a few blogs. Warning: this is about as random as it gets, but most of it is either informative or amusing, so here we go...

• Looking to get a new car next year? Starting in August, the Brazilian gov't plans to equip new cars with anti-theft & tracking devices. Apparently a car is stolen every 12 minutes here in Rio and every 3 minutes in Sao Paulo. Here in Rio most of them wind up in the Zona Norte... click here to read more.
• Great article from the telegraph about how amazing a city Rio is to visit. 
• Canada is changing its immigration rules on babies born and adopted abroad - which at first glance scared the you know what out of me but on further review of the article I don't think that we will be negatively affected... article in the National Post.
• Further validation - taking on an international assignment - Canada's Financial Post reports that Canada's CEOs need more international experience. To quote the article: "With globalization of markets and supply chains, the job description of Canadian CEOs has altered dramatically. Today, they must fend off international competitors, tend to international customers and manage international suppliers of labour, materials, information and capital. All this while navigating regulations, business and social customs, public expectations and political environments in each country involved. Canadian companies are clearly finding themselves on a larger and more complicated playing field. Moreover, the pace of globalization is widely expected to accelerate, especially with new competitors in Brazil, China, India and Russia pressing forward."   It continues to say: "All this suggests that Canadian companies (wherever they conduct business) would do well to make sure their leadership teams have global experience. In fact, international work experience has surfaced as a key indicator of the global orientation that many boards seek in senior leadership teams."     This is a good one to send to those working abroad when they have had a rough day...
• Does Canada suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Hehe
• Gotta love when the country you live in comes up as one of the first ones mentioned in an article about business traveller safety and where to exercise caution... 
• Interesting article on the police occupation of the Dona Marta favela, which I believe is near Botafogo...
• As it has been mentioned by a commenter on my blog, Brazil granted political asylum to an Italian man, ex-Communist militant Cesare Battisti, enraging many.
• Mr. DRL & I were considering taking a short cruise from Rio at some point before the baby comes, but after reading this article about 340 people getting violently ill on board a cruise ship off the coast of Brazil, I think we'll do something else instead.
• Ok now I will switch to the positive and talk about what is "Better in Brazil" - there have been several articles published lately naming Brazil as the "winner" of the downturn, meaning who capitalized on the boom time the most, however this one in the Globe & Mail went that extra step further and talks about what that means on a grassroots level: 
• • Paid off debts to International Monetory Fund & operated finances on a constant-surplus basis, accumulating reserves to help weather the storm now - social spending will not need to be cut and deep debt will not be required either.
  • Achieved an investment-grade bond rating.
  • Infant mortality cut in half
  • Created the developing world's first universal social program which gives financial assistance to poor families, which resulted in cutting the infant mortality rate in half since 10 years ago, and had a significant impact on malnutrition rates in children.

Blogs...

• Pretty funny post by Tiago in Colombia about his hatred for tourists. Entertaining. It's further inspiration for me towards a post that's been floating around my head for awhile about living in another country vs. visiting it. Because there is a BIG DIFFERENCE and those who are "well traveled" seem to get defensive about this point but I stand by it.  Anyhooo..
• A reminder that yeah, I've got it good - "ExpatWifeStyle" - a blog which needs no further introduction than: Expat Wifestyle is a state of mind. You don't have to be married to be one, you just have to have the right attitude, spirit, and, and sense of adventure. Living overseas affords you the opportunity to lunch, spa, and mani/pedi everyday of the week. You can travel at a moments notice and being bored just isn't possible. Every year, thousands of women make the transition from teachers, editors, students, etc to living an Expat Wifestyle. C'mon...try it out and see how much fun we have!
• Funniest thing I read all day was definitely on Expat Experience, where the author of the blog had just finished watching a documentary on the Irish famine, "Fleeing the Famine" and commented that they could have perhaps delivered this key line a bit differently - the Irish famine victims had to make "an impossible choice: Death or Canada." bahahaha. I am making people read this post when they try to convince me that I MUST move back to Canada. No, I don't think that the famine is funny, rather than people would rather CONSIDER death vs. moving to Canada. It's not really that bad, guys. But yeah, it's cold. In fact, according to HSBC's latest data on expats and expat destinations, Canada is the most welcoming country in the world.
• I used to work with a few biotech companies, doing investor relations, and I can be a bit of a nerd about these things so I was excited to see that Brazil has a few interesting biotech companies, check out the Little Devices that Could blog...
• Found this blog because it had a posting about the best hotels in Leblon but it claims to be a complete listing of hotels and restaurants in Brazil. I will check out some places I've stayed and been and see if I agree. Here is the posting about the best hotels in Leblon.

The Heartbreak of Rio

If you read my blog you know this: I did not plan to have a child in Rio. In fact, after moving here I questioned whether or not I would ever like to have children of my own. I was set on adopting. (My husband does not share my enthusiasm though). Having my own children seemed frivolous when there are street babies here who could use a proper home.  It must be my own child, why?  So that I can have a little mini-me?

That said, adopting in Brazil is no piece of cake. According to several people I've spoken with who have tried, it's practically impossible.

When I was home this summer I shared some of my opinions (no, not with the 10 friends & family who just gave birth... I left them alone!), no wonder some people were surprised to hear our news.

Rio Gringa did a very descriptive post earlier this week about what it's like to pass by these children and families. Imagine how I felt the day I found out I was "for sure" expecting, and after going out for a fancy dinner with our family friends who were visiting, walking by a similar scene pretty much on our doorstep when we returned home.

Despite this, I have come to terms with the guilty feelings and refuse to feel guilty about having this child, and am very excited about this new chapter.  I just wish I could do more for the rest of those babies too and imagine it will become even harder to see children in poverty once I am a mother myself.

Novela News

So... I still haven't gotten into a novela here in Brazil, despite the fact that I think I'd like to to help with the Portuguese. But from what I'm reading, now might not be the time...

Apparently novelas are "losing their sizzle" - viewership is lagging, and some think that the genre is losing its position.

According to the article, the viewership of TV Globo's 10:00 slot, "A Favorita," which is Brazil's most-watched TV program, is down 9% from 2006.

Why the decline? New options available such as "pay TV" or cable, plus the internet - which is quickly becoming one of the best ways to watch tv in this household, that's for sure. Yaaaaayyy iTunes!  According to TV Globo, audiences just fluctuate sharply from year to year...

This could be true - another point made by the article... with the economic downturn, the stats could easily change! 

Any recommendations on a new novela starting soon or to start catching?

Randomosity

• Not sure who the director of communications is for Rio's 2016 Olympic bid but it seems odd to me that Rio is now sort of poaching Obama's words for its slogan and messaging when, um, Obama himself is expected to personally make an appeal as part of the marketing material and campaign for another city on the ballot.  You may have heard of it... Chicago??
• There must be dozens of Brazilians p.o.'d about pop disaster "Kelis" cancelling a show in Rio last week after claiming she feared for her safety. Although the paparazzi stalker media (because let's face it the actual media would NOT care about this, thank goodness) is criticizing her for this move, saying that she should have known the realities of performing in Rio before she booked this gig, I totally get it.  See, I fear for the safety of those around me if I ever have to hear her "milkshake" song again too...
• Petrobras' first platform built in entirely in Brazil, has left the shipyard in Angra dos Reis, on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro, heading for Ilha Grande bay where it will undergo some tests and eventually be taken to the Campos offshore basin. It is expected to produce 180,000 barrels of oil a day (almost 10% of Brazil's entire national production), starting in January, and be hooked up to 19 wells.
• Christmas is here... and so come the first Christmas disasters... last year it was drug lords shooting at Santa who was trying to land in a favela in a helicopter to give kids gifts, this year Brazil is making Christmas headlines with the tragedy of four lives lost while constructing a 120 meter Christmas Tree in Sao Paulo. 
• And finally... back home up yonder... Canadians (namely, former finance minister and short-term former Prime Minister, Paul Martin... they are even calling this his legacy, silly me I thought it was the federal sponsorship scandal that cost taxpayers somewhere near $100 million...) are trying to take credit for the "G20 meeting" which actually included emerging countries such as Brazil! 

Does my blog GET any more random, you might ask yourself.... it is apparent that there is no limit to the randomness...

Stockwell Day visits Brazil

Stockwell Day, one of Canada's most colorful politicians - and Canada's new International trade minister - visited Brazil this week (Sao Paulo & Rio).  Day is best known for antics such as arriving at a press conference via jetski (see photo, right) and his hard core Christian beliefs and support for the war in Iraq, among other things.

 The Canadian media has reported on Brazil & Canada's distant relationship, but the Government of Canada's official news release regarding the trip hinted that there would be an announcement to bolster this relationship...  so  what's the big announcement?

A signed framework agreement for cooperation on science, technology, and Innovation between the two countries.  Anagreement to increase bilateral research and development in the areas of (among others):

• nanotechnology
• biotechnology
• pharmaceuticals
• information and communications technology.

OMG

Ok this entry is totally not related to Brazil.

I'm very excited/nervous/anxious about the US presidential election today.  Yes, even though I am not American.

This weekend I caught up on the Tina Fey as Sarah Palin skits on SNL and found them quite amusing although maybe not as amusing as this...

When I first saw that Sarah Palin had been prank called by a Canadian comedian I quickly thought: Rick Mercer. However, it was Marc-Antoine Audette and Sebastien Trudel from Montreal who got through to Palin, posing as the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.

Palin apparently did not catch on that it was a prank until the end of the 6 minute call, despite being told:

• she would make a good president someday (her response: maybe in 8 yrs).
• that he loves to hunt and that the two of them should go hunting by helicopter: "I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun..."
• that if they go hunting, they should leave Dick Cheney at home... (Palin responds that she will be a careful shot)
• that the Canadian PM's name is Steph Carse (it's actually Stephen Harper!) Palin replies: "Well, he's doing fine and yeah, when you come into a position underestimated it gives you an opportunity to prove the pundits and the critics wrong. You work that much harder."
• after she mentioned the beauty of the French President's wife he told her his wife is "so hot in bed"...

Palin only catches on after the comedians have identified themselves and even at that point says: "Oh, have we been pranked?"

The call will hit the airwaves in Montreal this morning...

Election

The "election finals" are today for Rio's mayor - check out this article in the International Herald Tribune on one of the candidates...

Misuse of Resources, Much?

One of the most interesting/frustrating/funny (cause it has to be or else you go insane) things about living in Brazil is what is in my opinion a misuse of resources. Especially government resources.  Which, admittedly, happens everywhere but in this case there's an extreme...

I'll give you an example.  We have some friends who have shipped a container of household goods including a few food items to Brazil, for personal consumption.  One of these people happens to be employed by a company which is affiliated with the food and beverage industry.  Somehow the name of the company was put on the shipping label with the names of our friends.  Now, because of the "food contents" (which is apparently like 2 jars of peanut butter), the shipment has been held up in customs for months, because customs figures that the company our friend works for is trying to get into the peanut butter import business.  Which they are not.  (2 jars? Come on).

Meanwhile, the illegal arms and drug trafficking trade is booming here in Brazil. Kids in favelas have access to AK-47's and grenade launchers, none of which are apparently manufactured here in Brazil. According to many sources it is easier for a child in Rio de Janeiro to get their hands on a gun than a meal. Scary.  And yet a couple cans of peanut butter are tying up precious resources in customs for months on end...

If you read my recent entry about my allergic reaction, you'd know that a couple cans of peanut butter are for me just as deadly as an AK-47, however, it's my understanding that for the majority of the population, this is not the case.

When the peanut butter is the priority, and customs officials are more concerned about a couple cans of skippy than drugs & guns, it really makes you wonder.