World cup showing on Copacabana beach

Last week I noticed there was quite a lot of activity going on at the Sugar loaf end of Copacabana beach – with workmen building some kind of stage. It turns out the area is set to show Fifa Fan fest Rio, with all of Brazil’s world cup football games, plus highlights from other games with the goals in 3D!

I took a walk along there today and the area is really big. Sony and Coca Cola are sponsoring the event, with a giant Coca Cola bottle playing some kind of pivotal role in the show. It’s a shame they have only confirmed they are showing Brazil’s games, although i’m sure they will show them all in the later

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June 7th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: General travel fun | Leave a comment

Pictures from around the world

Today is a bank holiday in Rio, so there isn’t much going on except sunbathing and relaxing (as well as drilling of course – there is always someone drilling on a bank holiday!) It’s given me a good chance to catch up on some pictures from around the world which I thought I’d share.

As one of my favourite countries in the world, I was saddened to hear of the volcano and then the storm which hit Guatemala this week. Boston.com always have some incredible pictures of current events and this weeks gallery of Guatemala pictures are no exception. Two particularly awesome pictures are Picture number 5 and Picture number 34. I hope little Melanie and

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June 3rd, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: world travel | Leave a comment

Sending a parcel from England to Brazil

If you are considering sending a parcel from England to Brazil I have some advice for you. Don’t expect it to arrive any time soon!

My mother kindly sent me a package of random things you can’t buy in Rio, thanks to Brazil’s crazy high import taxes, (which are around 60% when you add the import duty, import sales tax and maritime transport duty together) on 5th May 2010. The parcel was sent via airmail at a cost of £59. It’s not particularly big, nor does it weigh much, but air mail isn’t cheap.

Today is June 2nd and the package still hasn’t arrived…

But…thanks to the new (or at least new to me) international package tracking service and reference number, which

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June 2nd, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: Living in Rio | One comment

Tatiane Lima capoeira party

Following on from last weekend’s very unbrazilian party, this weekend we went to a very brazilian party – a capoeira graduation party for the kids at our community centre – Tatiane Lima in Batan Favela in Bangu, Rio.

The party was held across the road from the main centre in what appeared to be a garage converted nicely into nightclub with dancefloor, bar, seating area for families and stage for VIP dignitries (us whities). We arrived early to make hotdogs for the kids, then headed on over to party. The night had been organised to celebrate the graduation from some of the kids from one level of capoeira to another.

For those who don’t know, Capoeira is a traditional

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May 30th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Brazil, Volunteering | Leave a comment

Never help a Brazilian across the road

It’s happened to us all right? You’re standing at the edge of the road waiting to cross, when an old lady with a bunch of shopping bags looks at you forlornly for an arm across the road. You help yeah? It’s the natural thing to do; help an old dear across the road. Forgives you for your sins yeah? If you are in Brazil, here’s a tip. IGNORE THEM!

A few hours ago, I was sitting at a small red-rooved Guanavita bar on Copacabana beach, just outside the Othon Hotel having a caipirinha, when I heard the screech of heavily breaking car tyres. Marju had been cheekily using the facilities in the Othon and was due back any second so I turned

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May 26th, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: Brazil | Leave a comment

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