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 We're back from our
excellent adventure to Brazil and have a load of good memories and a few
photos. Thanks for all of the Brazil tips you and the website provided.
The whole experience was smooth and pleasant. This was my second visit
to Brazil and Pocone since leaving in 1966. It was my partner Susan's
first trip, and she enjoyed it immensely. She's a great traveler and is
ready to go back and see the rest of Brazil. We both listened to
Portuguese CD's (Pimsleur) several months before the trip which was very
helpful. I was also able to get a copy of the spiral bound Oral
Brazilian Portuguese by Hoge & Lunardini that many of the early Brazil
bound PC training groups used ("O bonde Lapa passa por aqui?"......."Passa
sim, senhorita").
We took advantage of TAM Airlines Brazil Air Pass which provided 4 stops
anywhere in Brazil for $600 per passenger. We landed in Sao Paulo and
flew to Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba and Rio. Not only did the TAM
Air Pass work well, we didn't have to pay for meals or checked baggage
like you do for most US domestic flights today. We began the trip by
spending 3 days in Ouro Preto to recover from the 36 hour trip from San
Francisco, and really enjoyed the leisurely sight seeing. We then went
to Brasilia for a belated observance of the 50th anniversary of its
dedication, and then on to Cuiaba and Pocone, Mato Grosso. Central
Cuiaba was barely recognizable due to the numerous tall buildings (pop.
500,000+). We took the bus from Cuiaba to Pocone (2 hours) and found
that the 2 main pracas had been landscaped, paved and illuminated, but
the town was still (unlike Cuiaba) quite recognizable. It appeared to
have prospered, based on cattle ranching and Pantanal tourism. In fact,
there were a few upscale fashion shops. We didn't find anyone I knew or
worked with in Pocone, but managed to get together with some old friends
who now live in Cuiaba. I was able to contact a few more people when I
visited in 1986.
We wrapped up the trip with 3 great days in Rio, staying at the new
Hotel Florida with a pool and bar on the roof. The bartender was
friendly and made excellent caipirinhas. We booked through "hotels.com"
and got a very affordable rate. The Catete/Flamengo/Gloria neighborhood
was better than some of the entries on the "expcvsbrazil" website had
led us to expect. We took advantage of the "new" Metro system, boarding
one block away from the Hotel Florida at the Catete Station. It was
inexpensive, fast, safe and easy to use. We also took the trolley across
the aqueduct to Santa Teresa, which provided great views. The food and
drink were outstanding throughout Brazil, and we were introduced to
banana pizza with a chocolate/cinnamon syrup topping at a restaurant in
Rio featuring a pizza rodizio. We also had bacalhau pizza a couple of
times.
One thing that didn't change at all in the 44 years since leaving the
Peace Corps and Pocone was the outstanding hospitality of the
Brazilians. What most struck Susan, who has traveled to several
countries, was the way Brazilians would go out of their way to help us,
even when we didn't ask.
For any returned PCVs from Brazil who haven't returned, I highly
recommend a visit. It's a great nostalgia trip and an excellent
opportunity to witness profound economic development. You can also keep
sharp by brushing up on your Portuguese.
I'm attaching one photo of me holding my stomach in at the Presidential
Palace in Brasilia.
Roger
Roger Pearson
June 2010
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