US Consulate, Brasilia - 1964 Architect President of Brazil, Juan Kubitschek convinced The Brazilian Congress and People to move the Capital of Brazil from Rio to the western outreaches of this vast country. It brought jobs and development to this sparsely populated area. Many of the embassies, notably the US Embassy had not moved their staff to Brasilia. Rio was and is the center of fun, culture, education, and the ocean. The major business centers are in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Brasilia became a focal point for travel west and en route to the Amazon. We could stay in the US Consulate free. Conceicao's aunt was the head housekeeper. We arrived and met her. Then went off on tour. Of course, we met the US Marines who were on duty guarding the Consulate. They had Brazilian Marine Friends who took nice Peace Corps girls on a tour of their training grounds; up over the ladders, under fences and walking the plank. Then at night we went out for dinner. We were rough and ready girls from Bra IV. We had a little too much too drink that night. We were still dressed up and helped move the goldfish from one reflecting pond to the other. Relocation of goldfish was frowned upon by the Consulate. We left piles of wet clothes outside our rooms and changed into our suits and went swimming with the Marines. Conceicao's Aunt shook her finger at me but all the evidence was gone before morning. We left for the Amazon and many other adventures. Ann was visiting me from Cleveland for Carnival. We stayed at the US Consulate. We also brought greetings to Conceicao's aunt, the head housekeeper. There were American business men staying there. We prepared dinner together. We sat around and shared stories. Ann had been in Haiti with the World Health Organization and in Morocco with the International Red Cross. The goldfish were all fine and did not need relocation. Carole James
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