The trip paused and continues

http://walkwiththedragons.blogspot.com/

Lar Doce Lar

This is what we come home to. La Doce Lar! (meaning Home Sweet Home) It is so cold for us coming from Brazil, from 30 degree C to -8. Adriana built this snowman on our balcony this morning.

It took us 20 hours to arrive home from Sao Paulo International Airport, not counting the 3 hour bus ride there. I feel kind of tired although there is only 6 hours difference.

It is a blessing that our trip was safe although we had minor allergy. We drove 4,000 kilometers in Brazil.

Thanks for following my Brazil blog. This is my final one.

God bless! Whatever you do, don't forget to have fun!

Answer me

I am leaving for Beijing on Nov. 29. Does anyone know that I can use my Home-Return card 港澳回乡证 to enter China at the Beijing airport?

My friend in Beijing told me his landlord uses 港澳回乡证 to enter China thru Beijing.

My Richmond travel agent advices me to get a visa to China. Apparently there were cases that 港澳回乡证 was turned down.

I am a bit confused. Does any of you have the actual experience using 港澳回乡证 to enter Beijing?

Please write in 'Comment' below.

Many thanks.

Tchau!

My trip to Brazil is drawing to a close. Tomorrow we'll take bus to the airport for our red-eye flight back to Vancouver. I am glad that I am leaving Brazil. As a matter of fact, I started to feel bored a week ago. Six weeks is about right for me.

Today we did some last minute shopping. I am bringing half a suitcase full of coffee--both ground and instant. Followers of A Day in Brazil will get some. There are also jewelry, Brazilian's famous flip-flop Havaianas, and nail polish for our lady friends; local artifacts, etc. (Oh, 2 cartons of Marlboro.)

We'll be home on Wednesday. I will attend our Friday night boys' dinner 饭聚集團. We get to rest for five days. Then we have to pack for our Asian trip. Our first stop is Beijing. I've been there twice but never during winter.

After that, we are going to Hong Kong for my 45 years high school reunion. We plan to visit Vietnam, China, Bangkok and Singapore. We have to skip Tokyo this time as Adriana doesn't have enough time to get a visa. See you next year Roberto.

Tchau (goodbye, pronounces "chow")!

P.S. Maybe I will start "A Day in Asia"!?!

I love what I do.

Cesar is Adriana's third child. He just turned 18 last week. Cesar is into art and attending first year of university. He told me he loves what he does-drawing, designing. Next year he'll enroll in the co-op program. He'll be working for a company refered by the university and study at the same time.

Cesar is so lucky to know what he wants to do. Majority of people don't know what truly inspires them. They just go after money. All Cesar needs is a computer. He can practically do his work anywhere in the world.

And then last year Cesar also find someone he loves. Maria is his girlfriend. They seem to have lots in common.

Doing what you love and falling in love are the two greatest things in life. Not everyone is so lucky!

It doesn't make any "cents"!

When I was here six years ago, coins were in shortage especially cents. They didn't have enough cents to go around. Quite often the cents had to be round off.

This year, I don't see any cents. But prices are still quoted in cents in supermarkets.

Prices quotes in goods and services are tax included. When I ask my friends here, they have no idea how much exactly are the taxes. Apparently there are different tax rates. I was told the tule of thumb is about 18%(I'm not sure if this is true since my friends haven't a clue.)

Here is a website explains about the hidden taxes http://www.brazil-help.com/taxes.htm.

Meu Deus (My Gold!)

Brazil is 91% religious. I hear a lot of "Meu Deus" in conversations. Today, I have to say "Meu Deus" because our Kodak camera is no longer working. Adriana dropped it two days ago. All the switches are sluggish now.

We have 5 more days before going home to Canada. We will rest for 5 days then head for Asia.

From now on, some of the pictures you see is from the camera's SD card and some are images from the internet.

Passport to Happiness in Brasil

Music is a passport to happiness for Brazilians, an escape from everyday frustrations and (for most) a hard and difficult material life. "There's an amazing magical, mystical quality to Brazilian music. Their music is paradise," says jazz flutist Herbie Mann.

When it comes to music, there is no generation gap.
Grandpa and grandson duo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2-fzJD8vPg

With music, comes dance: Bossa Nova, Samba..............

Brazilian Samba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj1fD18wPjM&feature=related

Bossa nova

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6w3a2v_50U&feature=related

Brasilian drummers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVtYG3tYg0M&feature=related
Not to forget Michael Jackson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehQzNLp3DHA&feature=fvw

Folklore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7vOq7_qBk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPU0P3WktMc&feature=related

Carnaval Songs are created each year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp0TRunt_5Y&feature=related

Capoeira - Brazilian Dance, Music, & Martial Arts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct2ZoehKv4U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H0D8VaIli0&feature=related

My Hitech Assistants in Brazil

1. My Acer laptop - Aspire Timeline AS3810TZ-4925. It is slightly slow at 1.3 Ghz but fine for me. The battery lasts about 7 hours. I don't need extra cooling. The laptop after few hours of use is not hot at all. It has a LED screen which is good for the HD movies. It has a card-reader which I can transfer pictures from the camera's SD card. The weight is less than 4 lbs. I paid C$500 incl. tax and am very happy with it.
http://us.acer.com/acer/productv.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&kcond61e.c2att101=58848&sp=page16e&ctx2.c2att1=25&link=ln438e&CountryISOCtxParam=US&ctx1g.c2att92=447&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=4276891233

2. My Panasonic Wet/Dry shaver - ES-GA21, C$100 at London Drugs. When I arrived in Brazil, I notice the charger for the shaver is still in Canada. But up until now, it is still running. This shaver is waterproof. It can even be used in showers. Use hot or cold water to rinse. It is a nice piece of travelling equipment.
http://reviews.panasonic.com/9203/359993/reviews.htm

3. All the photos and some videos you see in this blog are taken by my Kodak Easyshare 10 Megapixels M1033 [HD] camera. I paid C$150 plus a 8 GB SD card two years ago. It is well worth the money.
http://store.kodak.com.br/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/M1033_Digital_Camera__Black/baseProductID.145087200/productID.145087300

Ten Times

Can$1 = R$1.70

You can buy almost anything in installments.  

Payments are debited from your credit card or bank account.

Like China after 2008 crisis, domestic consumption is stimulated. On the surface, things seem mighty fine to me.

Ladies, Beware of Arara

His name is Chicão. He has been in this pet shop for many years. He is in the open but never fly away.

Adriana came yesterday and let the bird get on her hand. Chicão bites one ear ring and won't let go. Adriana yelled help! Storekeeper came but the bird won't let go. Good thing the ear ring is handmade and it broke easy. Otherwise Adriana would end up in hospital for her ripped earlope.















Here is the handsome Chicão.


We decide to visit Chicão again.



This time Adriana is smart, not wearing any ornament. But still, Chicão bites off one button.





See this video for amazing Arara bird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2AKGJRPXBM

Lemon is Green & Banana is Yellow

Brazil is the country in the world that has the most fruits.

Fruit trees are everywhere, even on the streets.

Enlarge the picture to see a neighbor's mango and avacado tree.

Today, we visited a fruit and vegetable market. Last month, I had the best tasting star fruit since I was a boy in Hong Kong.

They use lime here. Very seldom we see lemon here.
The name is Limão at R$5.99 a kilo.

In Canada, I pay C$1 for two limes.

Yeah, the banana is yellow here. Not like in Costco and many North American supermarkets, the banana is green!

Their papaya is like the ones we have in Hong Kong, long and little smelly.

Plenty of mangoes here.

Grapes are in season.

If the watermelon is too big, get a quarter. Don't know how to cut up a pineapple, no problem.

For people who have little time.

The grape like fruit is jabuticaba which grows on tree trunks.

You can order Brazilian fruits online http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/BR/fruits.html

Here is a website http://www.proscitech.com.au/trop/link.htm where you can click the small icons for picture and name of the different tropical fruits in Brazil.

Rock Band Lead Singer on a Hot Day

Summer is here. The thermometer was left outside for ten minutes. Click picture to see how hot it was yesterday.

Today it is just as hot. I can feel it from the morning sun. We drove 30 minutes to Jundiai.

Rafael is Adriana's eldest son. He is still single. His passion is singing. He performs with a rock band made up of professionals like him, at night clubs.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRrGh6_6bgw&feature=player_embedded#at=51

Adriana is getting her crown fitted.

Finished crown fitting. There are two more appointments before noon. Let's take a break first.

This is the next patient, a 99 years old nun. Old, my God!

We went to have coffee at our favorite Cafe Donuts. You get a mini donut with the espresso. Today's donut is stuffed with guava jam.

Over here, there is always a tiny cup of gas water.

The 3 of us went to a kilo restaurant operated by a Japanese. Click picture to see the bill.

Under the yellow hightlight line, you'll see the weight of the food, price per kilo and price for this plate.

Near the bottom of the bill is drink items.

Pay at the cashier near exit. In some restaurants, 10% service is added. They don't usually leave more tips.

We went back to Campinas afterwards. Tonight there is a birthday party at 7:30.

Best Canadian Comedian

I can't resist not to mention him.

HD quality videos on Comedy Network:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOJS2gvkEEo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRmtkE88J-A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF666E_6p_M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cQEbKflp_M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aga4jrKKINE&feature=related

2010 new video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7Gob-VoRKQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5krEMqfyl4&feature=related

Ah Ming!

I just learn a new Portugese word here. I stay in two different homes. One is Adriana's parents. The other is Adriana's aunt.

Brazil is a religious country. Although Catholic is losing its momentum worldwide, Brazil still holds the largest number of Catholics. Christian is the close second. Then there are other religions.

In both homes, they are Christians. Prayer is said before meal. We eat after everyone says "Ah Ming".

So, "Ah Ming" means 'Let's eat'.

:-)

Banca de revista

The magazine stands here are amazing. The number of magazines is huge. Besides publications, these stands also sell phone cards, cigarettes, etc.

According to the latest available data from Instituto Verificador de Circulação, between 2000 to 2008, the number of periodical publications jumped from 586 to 2,255, due to the emergence of both broad-based popular titles and specialist titles in newly emerging market segments such as food, tourism and men’s health.



Advertising industry is very matured and advanced in Brazil. With the World Cup and Summer Olympic coming, the industry will go absolutely mad.
http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2010/09/01/93041/

Pastel

Here is another favorite Brazilian snack--pastel. It is a deep-fried envelope of stuffings of ground beef or hearts of palm or cheese, etc.

This is a box of 50 mini-pastels, half ground-beef and half cheese. It costs R$23. That was our dinner for 6.

My Brazilian friends do not know who invented pastel, Chinese or Japanese!!


Here is more pastel images
http://www.google.com.br/images?q=pastel%2Bbrazil&um=1&hl=pt-BR&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&biw=1174&bih=518&tbs=isch:1,isz:m&source=lnt&sa=X&ei=mO3XTNeKOoOKlwe47MiCCQ&ved=0CAgQpwU

Unofficial Endings and Funny Accents

It's each country's caracteristic of how a sentence is ended. People add 'a word' or 'a sound' to the end of the sentences. Usually it becomes funny to other countries. Read on. You'll see what I mean.

Canadians use 'Eh!" in their sentences.

Some Asians like to end their sentences with 'La'.

Brazilians often end their sentences like the Japanese, ending with 'Nair'! They have no idea who is imitating who.

Singaporeans use 'Ar'-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8XuAi1nY-c

Here is a all-time funny video of Cantonese accent--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg-fiNGkKsw&feature=related

Brazil National Anthem

Brazil has a very nice national anthem.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuML6DJlBNs

Inflação

Click to enlarge this photo. Take a close look at the bottom right corner of each bill.

These are the hospital bills of Adriana giving birth to her two youngest sons.

For Cesar in 1992, the hospital bill was 1.966.000,00, almost 2 million.

For Reubens in 1994 at the same hospital, the bill was 291,70 which is less than 300. (Brazil uses their number decimals the same way in Europe, reversing "." and ",".)

Only in Brazil? When I was in Indonesia during the 80's, a restaurant bill can also result in million!

Brazil went through six economic collapses since 1986. Does the Brazilian government learn anything? Do the Brazilians learn anything?

I doubt it.

Centro, Sao Paulo

This district is the old centro of Sao Paulo City. Does this sloping street full of people remind you somewhere in Central Hong Kong? In the past few years, Mainland Chinese invaded this area of district. There are many Chinese merchants selling merchandise from China. They are mostly cheap goods. I was told some of these Chinese don't even speak Portugese.

This hardware store has been here for 110 years. Brazil has a 500+ years of history. Many cities and towns are a few centuries old, unlike North America where the cities are so young.

Their streets often criss cross. Zoning is liberal. Many shops are in the middle of residential districts. Compared to Canada, its a mess here.

Their street signage is good. There are signs pointing to different districts. Very seldom you see cars turning left here. They have to go through a roundabout or a detour to the right first. Cars are not allowed to turn on red signals.

Adriana's black kid

Claire has been Adriana's dog until her migration to Canada. Adriana's parents is now taking care of her.

Claire barks at birds and any flying objects that make sound, such as birds, airplanes and fireworks.

Adriana thinks Claire is her black kid.

She is 10 years old and gave birth once.

Claire loves going to the beaches but dislike the waves.

Where to have sex in Brazil?

In the 60's, motels were for highway travellers. Since late 70's, motels become short rentals 時鐘旅館 for having sex.

These motels are usually located near the edge of the cities. The entrances are always discreet. I haven't try it yet(our bed does not squee), but I was told they are clean and you need to show your ID. Minors would have to practice somewhere else.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Brazil, it is "Hotel". Don't forget!

Getting married in Brazil?

Friday night out with the kids at Pizza Hut

My friend Guga--the Lego kid who is learning English, wants a Ferrari and has some cool ring tones in his cell.

Christian and family:

Gustavo and Julia

Wife Danielli is a wedding organizer. If you are thinking to get married in Brazil, ask for her. She'll fix you up with all the bells and whistles, or perhaps even someone you want to marry. Am I right, Danielli?

The children's favorite pizza

Chicken salad

Julia and free refill pops

Daddy's girl

Afterwards, we went for our dessert at a frozen yugart place.

Check out the fruits in Brazil. Click to enlarge.

Adriana and I had jabuticaba flavor. Remember, the fruits that grow on tree trunks?

The jabuticaba has a slight sour taste with a hint of grape. It is refreshing.

Nice fruits for your desktop.

Guga is the photographer.