Finished up the trip late Friday, went back to the hotel to gather with all my blue blooded fellows and headed to the Sao Paulo International airport on a Friday night. The traffic was incredible - everyone leaves the city for the weekend and we were caught in the thick of it. 2 weeks ago when we arrived on a Saturday morning, the cab ride to the hotel took about 30 minutes. The return trip on a Friday night was 90 minutes.
The flight back wasn't as bad as the one heading down. Managed to get a bulk head seat and that was a big improvement. And I also knew what I was getting into (10+ hour flight), so my expectation was set. I almost finished watching "Long Way Down" on my iPhone - a neat motorcycle adventure story (staring Obi-Wan Kenobi as the lead rider - google it...)
Made all the connections on time, made it through customs without problem and my youngest son offered to pick me up for the final leg home. My home was immaculate, everything was clean and in order - not bad for turning the place over to 2 college boys for 2 weeks.
I had been jonesing for a 2-wheeled ride so very much, but it has snowed since I got home. Maybe, please Lord! - I will get to ride before heading back South on Saturday. Stayed tuned for Brazil II!
I added a few last photos to the Picasa album from the trip.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
'bout time to head North
finishing up this trip, ready to head home for a week. Back here in a week...
Work has been tough, but enjoyable - sort of.
The people I work with are very, very nice. Here is a show of a recent dinner of most of us...
Will get some more pix in the Picassa link soon. Not many new ones, work it certainly keeping us busy.
Work has been tough, but enjoyable - sort of.
The people I work with are very, very nice. Here is a show of a recent dinner of most of us...
Will get some more pix in the Picassa link soon. Not many new ones, work it certainly keeping us busy.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The weekend, finally! It was a tough week at the office, but made progress in the right direction. Our blue bloods are hungry for and open to new ideas / knowledge and I am very excited to help.
Saturday (yesterday) I went for a nice, early run in the big park I talked about last weekend. Then we packed up and headed to a "market" in the original center of Sao Paulo. Look at the photos on my Picassa link. This was a big building that housed all kinds of food markets: meat, fruit, spices, pastas, breads, etc. All these little shops under one big roof. And you get to go to the 2nd floor and enjoy lunch. This was a treat. I bought some hot sauces and found some Brazilian & Cuban cigars as well.
Later we ventured to this incredible Catholic Cathedral - see pictures for more details. This place was absolutely beautiful. Mass was in progress while we were there and the music was very nice.
We later went to a big Sao Paulo mall - they are all the same, regardless of where you are in this world. The evening was completed by a visit to a pizza dinner joint. Now in America, we think of pizza as a fast food, mostly. It is serious gourmet food here. The Brazilians ditched the tomato paste for real ingredients and the result is very good.
Sunday, we hired a tour guide to drive us to the coastal area of Santos. Sao Paulo is 60K inland, 2600' elevation. The Santos port is the largest in South America. But it is also beach haven for the 3rd largest city in the world.
The driver was a great kid, full of life and knowledge that made the trip very worth our time and money. The coastal area is very pretty, but it is a hot coast and this mountain dweller struggled with the heat. The local clocks indicated 35C, which is 95F, which is tough for a guy showing up from Colorado Winter.
Some law things learned today: I asked about the helmet requirement and was told it is very strict. You get pinged for no helmet on a moto, you loose your license AND bike for a year, then have to pay a $750 fine to get your bike back.
You have to be a registered Brazilian citizen (and able to prove it) in order to purchase a "pre-paid cell phone", which I want so I can quit paying $2/min for my phone home calls. Our driver today said he would fix me up in the next trip down.
And everybody has to pay all the taxes in January: car taxes, property taxes, and on and on it goes. The tax structure here is steep and daunting.
I am listening to the football playoffs as I write this. The FOX broadcast is on the satellite reception on BAND Sports network. I see the game live, but what I hear is some Portuguese speaking announcers, except when the zebras talk and that is sent through in English. It's pretty funny watching Troy Aikman speak Portuguese! So one game down (go Cards...) and one more this evening (go Baltimore). I will be in the air during the SB game...
I started to watch the opening episodes of 24 on the Fox web, but my Brazil IP stops that. Crap! And no Pandora radio available here either. I am music starved!
And again, the link to the photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hudphilips/BrazilJan09
...........
Saturday (yesterday) I went for a nice, early run in the big park I talked about last weekend. Then we packed up and headed to a "market" in the original center of Sao Paulo. Look at the photos on my Picassa link. This was a big building that housed all kinds of food markets: meat, fruit, spices, pastas, breads, etc. All these little shops under one big roof. And you get to go to the 2nd floor and enjoy lunch. This was a treat. I bought some hot sauces and found some Brazilian & Cuban cigars as well.
Later we ventured to this incredible Catholic Cathedral - see pictures for more details. This place was absolutely beautiful. Mass was in progress while we were there and the music was very nice.
We later went to a big Sao Paulo mall - they are all the same, regardless of where you are in this world. The evening was completed by a visit to a pizza dinner joint. Now in America, we think of pizza as a fast food, mostly. It is serious gourmet food here. The Brazilians ditched the tomato paste for real ingredients and the result is very good.
Sunday, we hired a tour guide to drive us to the coastal area of Santos. Sao Paulo is 60K inland, 2600' elevation. The Santos port is the largest in South America. But it is also beach haven for the 3rd largest city in the world.
The driver was a great kid, full of life and knowledge that made the trip very worth our time and money. The coastal area is very pretty, but it is a hot coast and this mountain dweller struggled with the heat. The local clocks indicated 35C, which is 95F, which is tough for a guy showing up from Colorado Winter.
Some law things learned today: I asked about the helmet requirement and was told it is very strict. You get pinged for no helmet on a moto, you loose your license AND bike for a year, then have to pay a $750 fine to get your bike back.
You have to be a registered Brazilian citizen (and able to prove it) in order to purchase a "pre-paid cell phone", which I want so I can quit paying $2/min for my phone home calls. Our driver today said he would fix me up in the next trip down.
And everybody has to pay all the taxes in January: car taxes, property taxes, and on and on it goes. The tax structure here is steep and daunting.
I am listening to the football playoffs as I write this. The FOX broadcast is on the satellite reception on BAND Sports network. I see the game live, but what I hear is some Portuguese speaking announcers, except when the zebras talk and that is sent through in English. It's pretty funny watching Troy Aikman speak Portuguese! So one game down (go Cards...) and one more this evening (go Baltimore). I will be in the air during the SB game...
I started to watch the opening episodes of 24 on the Fox web, but my Brazil IP stops that. Crap! And no Pandora radio available here either. I am music starved!
And again, the link to the photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hudphilips/BrazilJan09
...........
Friday, January 16, 2009
Alright, Friday night in Sao Paulo, the 3rd largest city in the world! Quick catch-up: Made it through the "day after" of the awful taxi ride back, got up early yesterday for an awesome run at daybreak in the local park, decent breakfast because the only hotel food I am eating is fresh fruit combined with my own granola. You cannot believe the eggs served in the buffet: it brings reality to "green eggs and ...". OMG, the absolutely worst concoction I have ever seen that was called "eggs".
Last night, one of my "host" families invited us American visitors into his home for dinner. This was such a real treat to be welcomed in this manner. It turns out that one of our locals lives a few meters from another local work family and they joined us as well. This was really a great evening.
Local living: we were the guests of a very, very nice in-town home / apartment. The total living area was about 100 sq meters - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, etc. High rise building, about 4 units per floor. And a little pricey!
It was such an honor and privilege to invited into the home of our fellow blue-bloods! As I have said before, the Brazilians are such kind and generous people. Thanks so very much to my hosts!
OK, a couple of photos. First is a continuation. This one is another (laughable) shot of the security entrance into the bunker (and those folks in the pic are my teammates)
Next is shot from the office window at "my company" office. There is that dang obelisk thingy again...
And one more "dig" into the slum where the customer places us. In the security center where we get our daily badges, here are the instructions for the "motoboys", which in the USA, we call "bike couriers". Different animals, different steeds!
Stay tuned the next couple of days as I go "tourist" again with some very awesome and dear friend(s).
Last night, one of my "host" families invited us American visitors into his home for dinner. This was such a real treat to be welcomed in this manner. It turns out that one of our locals lives a few meters from another local work family and they joined us as well. This was really a great evening.
Local living: we were the guests of a very, very nice in-town home / apartment. The total living area was about 100 sq meters - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, etc. High rise building, about 4 units per floor. And a little pricey!
It was such an honor and privilege to invited into the home of our fellow blue-bloods! As I have said before, the Brazilians are such kind and generous people. Thanks so very much to my hosts!
OK, a couple of photos. First is a continuation. This one is another (laughable) shot of the security entrance into the bunker (and those folks in the pic are my teammates)
Next is shot from the office window at "my company" office. There is that dang obelisk thingy again...
And one more "dig" into the slum where the customer places us. In the security center where we get our daily badges, here are the instructions for the "motoboys", which in the USA, we call "bike couriers". Different animals, different steeds!
Stay tuned the next couple of days as I go "tourist" again with some very awesome and dear friend(s).
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Had to go to real work starting Monday. Got all dressed up in a suit for the first time in a while. Went to my company's local building for a day or so, then off to the client site.
The client site was affectionately known to the locals at "the bunker". It has to be the worst place I have ever had to work in my professional career.
And I now see why one of my hosts kept warning me about "safety on the streets". This place is not in a very nice part of town, yet it is this high rise building that contains all the I/T resources of the largest financial institutions in the Southern Hemisphere. Something seems a little wrong. Oh well, we are getting the work done, enjoying ripping afternoon thunder storms (power went out this afternoon) - yes, it is the middle of summer here. And the men living at my home are complaining of having to shovel snow.
The cab ride back to the hotel took 30 minutes yesterday and 2 hours today - same route, but 30 minutes delay today in departure time. Nerves were getting a little tense in the ride back for my fellow cab-mates. Yep, about (no, did...) get my head bit off before I made it to my room. The lane splitters had the real advantage in the traffic jam I rode back in. But despite hair raising traffic, the Brazilians are a patient and kind people, and good looking as well. The cars don't honk their horns and the lane splitters are very light on tapping their beepers while running through the traffic.
Pink helmets are fairly abundant among the young ladies.
The client site was affectionately known to the locals at "the bunker". It has to be the worst place I have ever had to work in my professional career.
And I now see why one of my hosts kept warning me about "safety on the streets". This place is not in a very nice part of town, yet it is this high rise building that contains all the I/T resources of the largest financial institutions in the Southern Hemisphere. Something seems a little wrong. Oh well, we are getting the work done, enjoying ripping afternoon thunder storms (power went out this afternoon) - yes, it is the middle of summer here. And the men living at my home are complaining of having to shovel snow.
The cab ride back to the hotel took 30 minutes yesterday and 2 hours today - same route, but 30 minutes delay today in departure time. Nerves were getting a little tense in the ride back for my fellow cab-mates. Yep, about (no, did...) get my head bit off before I made it to my room. The lane splitters had the real advantage in the traffic jam I rode back in. But despite hair raising traffic, the Brazilians are a patient and kind people, and good looking as well. The cars don't honk their horns and the lane splitters are very light on tapping their beepers while running through the traffic.
Pink helmets are fairly abundant among the young ladies.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Played tourist today and had a great experience. Took a lot of photos and I have decided to place them all (updated periodically) in one of my Picassa albums. So follow the link (somewhere) below for photos.
I love Latin America for their love of motorcycles. They are a way of life here, just like I saw last Spring in Guatemala. Thanks be to God that Brazil has a national helmet law - folks ripping through traffic, lane splitting, riding 2-up in shorts and flip-flops, on 250s - ahh, the chaos! I love the sound and really like watching the kamakazi-ness of it all. Long live the 250 thumper! Surprisingly, lots of HDs :(
Went to a couple of parks today and a Sunday flea market. Saw things I have never seen in the USA, but this is a "family" blog, so you will have to hit my email for more detail if your dare. There is this phenomenal park about 4 blocks from the hotel - see the photos. It was the Ibirapuera park - big one. Tons of runners and cyclists as well as strollers like myself. Very beautiful, lots of green. I am literally sitting on the Tropic of Capricorn in the middle of summer. Great sights of nature and people sights. The people ink was some of the best I have ever seen.
Back to the hotel to get some water and catch a cab to the Sunday flea market held beneath the stilted Museum of Art. Quite a collection of booths selling everything you can imagine. US $2 bills were selling for $7.50 USD. Hmmm - how many of those can I pack in my next suitcase...
The flea market extended across the street next to the Triorna Park. We finished walking the market and headed into the park. This one was very thinkly forested, lots of park benches and very scenic. Lots of very public "making out" on some of the benches. Don't see that much in the States!
Walked out of the park down one of the "main drags" in town: Avenue Paulista. Colorful in multiple ways. I will leave it at that.
Grabbed a cab back to the hotel - in need of refreshment followed by dinner.
Tomorrow starts some grueling work effort. Hope the body sleep clock adjusts quickly. Let's see - my first meeting is at 3AM body time. Ought to be a lively chat.
Links to pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/hudphilips/BrazilJan09
I love Latin America for their love of motorcycles. They are a way of life here, just like I saw last Spring in Guatemala. Thanks be to God that Brazil has a national helmet law - folks ripping through traffic, lane splitting, riding 2-up in shorts and flip-flops, on 250s - ahh, the chaos! I love the sound and really like watching the kamakazi-ness of it all. Long live the 250 thumper! Surprisingly, lots of HDs :(
Went to a couple of parks today and a Sunday flea market. Saw things I have never seen in the USA, but this is a "family" blog, so you will have to hit my email for more detail if your dare. There is this phenomenal park about 4 blocks from the hotel - see the photos. It was the Ibirapuera park - big one. Tons of runners and cyclists as well as strollers like myself. Very beautiful, lots of green. I am literally sitting on the Tropic of Capricorn in the middle of summer. Great sights of nature and people sights. The people ink was some of the best I have ever seen.
Back to the hotel to get some water and catch a cab to the Sunday flea market held beneath the stilted Museum of Art. Quite a collection of booths selling everything you can imagine. US $2 bills were selling for $7.50 USD. Hmmm - how many of those can I pack in my next suitcase...
The flea market extended across the street next to the Triorna Park. We finished walking the market and headed into the park. This one was very thinkly forested, lots of park benches and very scenic. Lots of very public "making out" on some of the benches. Don't see that much in the States!
Walked out of the park down one of the "main drags" in town: Avenue Paulista. Colorful in multiple ways. I will leave it at that.
Grabbed a cab back to the hotel - in need of refreshment followed by dinner.
Tomorrow starts some grueling work effort. Hope the body sleep clock adjusts quickly. Let's see - my first meeting is at 3AM body time. Ought to be a lively chat.
Links to pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/hudphilips/BrazilJan09
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Part 3
First glimpse of downtown Sao Paulo, again taken from hotel balcony. It is late Saturday afternoon and there are lots of construction workers in some of those new buildings.
Part 2
These 2 pictures are taken from the balcony of my 5th floor hotel apartment. It is summer here in Sao Paulo and is probably 90 degrees out there right now. A real challenge for my winter acclimated body.
Left yesterday morning and arrived in Dallas for the connecting flight. Got checked in, ready to go!
The flight was 11 hours in the awful coach seats of the 777 - my employer is too cheap to pay for business class any longer. Sleep escaped me, but I did stay mostly entertained watching movies on the seat back screen and a couple of movies I had dropped on the iPhone. Got through customs and made it to the hotel without event. One whupped guy.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
T-1 day and counting. I will be leaving for the airport in about 24 hours. Thanks to all who have sent me emails expressing concern about the wild fires that broke out in Boulder county yesterday. We had very high winds and the TV footage was amazing to watch as the fires raced so fast across the landscape. All of the snow cover is gone and it is very dry. I could smell smoke and there was a little ash flowing through the neighborhood, but the winds shifted a bit and it cleared up. My house is / was safe as I am several miles from the burn. Looks like they have it under control this morning.
Now to get that packing done...
Now to get that packing done...
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
T-3 days to departure, getting through all the lists of "get this done". Big hassles, but manageable. Stocking the food pantry for 2 college kids holding down the fort is an expensive challenge. But they are awesome men - up to the task. Now if I could just knock this niggling cold before I sit on a 777 for way too many hours...
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