Brasil: Take II

the latest from brasil:

C is for CAPIRINHA - Oh such a tasty, tart beverage. Best made with cachaca and a glass full of lime wedges. Must figure out how to bring back a bottle of cachaca during the return route through JFK/LAX/SDG/CVG/PVD.

F is for FLAIR - As in the “Flair Shop” at the hotel that sells various souvenirs, toys and other random crap. I will seek out their collection of actual flair and also inquire of their stock of collectible spoons for my collection. [Note to self: archive the spoon collection on flickr or some social sharing site so everyone can see my 100+ assortment].

G if for GILBERTO – During our opening event, the DJs played Joao Gilberto-eqsue versions of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion,” Nirvana “Lithium,” U2 “With or Without You” and [if I did catch it correctly] The La’s “There She Goes.”

I is for INFRASTRUCTURE – While the highways and major roads seem to be well maintained, the roads in Brasil are not always easy to follow. For example, returning to the hotel, we exited the highway, drove beneath the overpass, took four right turns, though a small industrial district, then return to the other direction on the highway – and then exited again to reach the hotel. We could have hopped the fence on the side of the highway.

O is for OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE – As in the restaurant chain. Our hosts took us out for a traditional churrascaria for dinner the other night that was located in the local mall, just a few doors down from the Outback Steakhouse. As with the decadent sushi dinner we had in Shanghai this past summer, I could be anywhere…like Cleveland . We didn’t enter the mall, so I don’t know if there was a Gap around the corner [though the host did confirm that there was no Banana Republic at that mall].

N is for NUT - Because here, they aren’t called “filberts.” However, did you know that Bolivia produces more Brazil nuts than Brazil itself?

P is for PLATE OF SHRIMP – As a post-script to the Naomi Campbell sighting in customs at Sao Paulo airport, the following day’s news identified that she carried on to Rio de Janiero for her own “humanitarian mission” – to donate blood to those suffering from Dengue Fever. She was denied the opportunity not for her recent belligerent antics, but for her recent illness/hospitalization. However, the mayor of Rio would like her to be a goodwill ambassador. Please watch your head.

S is for SAKIARINHA – Like a caipirinha, but replace the cachaca with saki. Now that’s what I’m talking about.

S is for SEINFELD – Yet another country where I can find “Seinfeld” on telly, with local language subtitles. Also aired in the same manner: “The Nanny,” “ Beverly Hills 90210” [later years], “Law & Order” and a Meryl Streep movie.

W is for WATERPARKS – They’re just like us! Brasilians like to spend their free time sliding down massive concrete chutes filled with rushing water! Not that it is a national sport…