Author Archives: Norm Benson

Brasil: Dia 10 – Buzios

Sexta-feira 14 Março 2008 After the storm I thought that at least the roosters would not crow. Neither sun, nor rain, nor gloom of night will stop these cocks from their appointed duty of interrupting the town’s sleep patterns. I got out of cama after 8 am and walked downstairs to make some cha. MyContinue reading “Brasil: Dia 10 – Buzios”

Brasil: Dia 9 – Búzios

Quinta-feira 13 Março 2008 Souvenir day today We thought that today for almoça we might just get a guarana (it’s made from an Amazonian berry and tastes like a cross between ginger ale and apple juice with a caffeine kick), burger, and batata fritas (french fries) at Bob’s Burgers. “Our” condo lies within a blockContinue reading “Brasil: Dia 9 – Búzios”

Brasil: Dia Oito – Búzios

Quarta-Feira, 12 Março 2008, Buzios. The roosters waited until 4:30 AM to raise a ruckus. We’ve heard geese (they are great “watchdogs”) at the green house across the way. I guess that it’s the roosters and geese getting into shouting matches. We took Café de Manha no casa (breakfast in the house) and then figuredContinue reading “Brasil: Dia Oito – Búzios”

Brasil: Dia Sete – Búzios

Terça-Feira, 11 Março 2008 We slept like bricks until 1:30 AM when two, maybe three, roosters crowed for while (maybe an hour) and then shut their beaks until dawn. I’ve been fighting a cold and a sore throat for a week so Mary wandered out into town in search of comidas for café de manha.Continue reading “Brasil: Dia Sete – Búzios”

Brasil: Dia Seis – Brasilia to Búzios

I’m sitting on our balcony overlooking the Atlantic listening to Maria Rita on the CD player as I write this recap. I’m fighting a head cold that has dogged me since leaving the US but otherwise, I feel great. Below is a picture of Rio de Janeiro. Segunda-Feira, 10 Março 2008 We got up beforeContinue reading “Brasil: Dia Seis – Brasilia to Búzios”

Brasil: Dia 5 – The Day after the Wedding

Domingo, 9 Março 2008 Steroid-fueled touristas. Antonio drives fast (even for a Brazilian). We visited several sites including but not limited to: the JK bridge (pictured), the Presidential Palace, and Catetinho. Catetinho is the Presidential residence for JK’s use while he was overseeing the 3-year construction project of Brasilia. It is muito rustico—just a placeContinue reading “Brasil: Dia 5 – The Day after the Wedding”

Brasil Day 4 – Day of the Wedding

Sabado 8 Março 2008 The wedding was scheduled for 7:30 p.m., so we had the day free to rest and relax, or so we thought. Sergio’s father, Antonio, insisted (the former commander of the security force to protect the embassy sector can be quite persuasive) on taking us to the same sights as the dayContinue reading “Brasil Day 4 – Day of the Wedding”

Brasil Day 3 – Brasilia

Quinta-Feira 7 Março 2008 Mary and I had the apartamento to ourselves for the first night and awoke feeling pretty darned good. We showered and went off in search of café de manha (breakfast) and a banco or a reliable ATM. We took the elevator down from the 12th floor and immediately became disoriented inContinue reading “Brasil Day 3 – Brasilia”

Brazil (part um) SFO to Brasilia

WWSWAD (What would Southwest Airlines do?) Wednesday March 4, 2008 I have grown used to how Southwest Airlines runs its operation. Conditioned like a gerbil to their needs. Needless to say, when I fly with someone else I compare the experience to SWA. I could not fly on SWA to Brazil. They don’t go there,Continue reading “Brazil (part um) SFO to Brasilia”