[Caipirabob]

I've been through a favela in Santos. Not in Rio. The poverty is numbing. We actually stopped in what they called a bar later that day on the way back from crossing over a mountain to get to a secluded beach. One heck of an experience, I have photos so people would believe me years later.

In Rio's favelas, the drug lords control their own little fifes. It's truly a fuedal system of control there. The people are so incredibly poor that this is really one of the most attractive lifestyle for them. Not that Communist Lula has any idea how to change things either.

It's been years since I've been to Rio. I wanted to go back and take my wife so she could see it. I miss "my bar" on Ipanema where I had my first "real Brasilian" Caiprinha. Yet from what I hear, it's really gotten bad down there.

Now they want to build a wall? They'd do better to build it and drop it on Lula's head.

Wish I had an effective solution for Rio's problems. Sometimes you just have to "start over", though.

Thanks for the ping. Hope the weather up North is treating you better. We've had rain and thunderstorms for days now.

Tanta saudade por meu Brasil...

[Jimmy Valentine]

Poor Brazil. I loved the country and ther people, but as my uncle says who lived there for over fifty years, "Brazil will always be the country of great future opportunity."

They never seem to be quite able to get their "stuff" together.

regards,