May 9 - Brazil Tidbits

Apart from the ride, there were some interesting observations from Brazil (Brasil).

The people. They're not at all like Ecuador, in terms of physical characteristics. Tall, lean, not like the Inca or Indian descent visible obvious in Ecuador.

Dogs. Dogs are everywhere and mostly loose. Community dogs, seemingly, many of them. Healthy, not fat, all mutts, the only time we were barked at was ore dawn, not late night.

Beetles. VW beetles. Everywhere. Apparently Brazil was the last place the old bug was produced. Just checked and 1986 was the last year. They look newer ! Type 1 is the official name. Fusca is the local model marking on the rear.

Hello ! The tendency seems to be not to acknowledge. If I waved or nodded, I generally got a response, but I had to initiate. That's not to say that North Americans are friendlier, it's just the custom.

Traffic. Lots of traffic. I doubt if a single vehicle would meet CA emissions standards. Smoke, smell, unavoidable.

Countryside. Very hilly. Pretty. Some common trees with elsewhere, like types of pine, jacaranda, Brazilian Pepper (the scourge of Florida mangroves). Lots of rivers and waterfalls. Springs like Italy.

Roadkill. Almost none. Odd. No small mammals ? Smarter ?

Brazil nuts. Lots of them. For sale in bags everywhere. Cheap.

Cheap. The US $ goes a long way but not really welcome as hard currency as it's hard to exchange. Meals, hotel rooms are very inexpensive.

There's more, but those are some quickies.





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