Brazil Olympics

What a huge success, the Olympics were completed in a magnificent way. I know, the closing ceremony is tonight so technically not finished yet. But I couldn't wait to write about how well Brazil pulled this off. The horrible publicity before the games, showing Olympic village not competed, water leaks, etc... to the condition on the water in the bay with floating garbage to talk of possible dead bodies in the water. I didn't see any of this and it seems they completed and cleaned up just in time to show the beauty of RIO! Well what I've seen on TV, still need to visit sometime in the near future.

I spent most of my spare time watching the games on TV. Haven't seen all of the events but did dedicate myself to most of the swimming events, track stuff and volleyball (indoor/beach). Although some of the events were not full on fan participation the professionalism the organizers put in to it was amazing. I'm an attention to detail type of guy, so I notice the behind the scenes stuff the majority of fans don't on TV. Like the lady that would usher the swimmers around the pool after winning events for photos and then get them to stand together to receive medals. Always on the fringe of the TV and very professional.

I'm sad to see it go, the pride Brazil got from not only holding the World Cup but now the Olympics was extremely well needed! Brazilians are very proud people, even with the current economical and political drama they get really excited about anything sports related. Especially the soccer match last night between Brazil and Germany. What an intense game that came down to a shoot out. After they won I heard fireworks throughout the town. It was spectacular that even though I am 14 hour drive away the celebration was here in the streets. Unbelievable! Today the indoor volleyball game between Brazil and Italy was extremely exciting. No fireworks but my house was really into it. Come on, we all know Futebol is more important to this country!

Now, I will end with the drama of the American Swim team. Claiming robbery but ended up they were intoxicated and broke a bathroom door which now turns out to be just a sign was ripped off the wall at a gas station. Then got in an argument with a security guard and caused a mess of a situation. Ended up paying some money and being left go to walk down the street to get another cab. I'm embarrassed that this covered the news and took away from the athletes who were still competing. I know the two left behind, paid their way out within the legal system but the other two need to do the same. Its a large fine but its the legal system here and its true they lied. So pay up and move on. I don't want Brazilians to think badly of Americans, because lately it seems it ok for famous people to break the law and not pay the consequences. Hell look at Hillary Clinton for a great example of this, she clearly broke the law.

Well now I wait another couple of hours for the closing ceremony! I hope its epic and ends the games on a great show of this spectacular nation. Although I am American, I am adapting and absolutely loving Brazil. Such a warm and friendly country! So social and outgoing that makes this such an enjoyable place to live. I'm proud to be an American and Brazilian at the same time!    

Brazil...CAKE

In America, generally cake is for special occasions. This includes birthdays, going away parties, retirements, weddings, etc... Here its for breakfast, lunch, after nap snack and that evening "why not" have a slice time. I am not talking about the type of cake where its more frosting than anything. This American kind of cake causes your sugar level to spike and you are afraid of inducing some form of diabetes. Here its just a normal cake that is lightly sugared, total awesomeness, tasty and I could continue on.

Its just a small slice here and there. Plain cake, a little chocolate drizzle over it or perhaps Nutella smeared across it before consumption. Nothing that will cause you to gain a ton of weight. I thought it was very weird to eat cake this much. At the moment if there is not a cake in the house, I am planning on where I will go to get one. It seems like a tradition here. Most friends and relatives have a cake sitting on the counter or in their fridge when I visit. I would consider it a very common thing.

As an American when I think of cake, it is always chocolate, vanilla, carrot or a mix of chocolate and vanilla. That's all I think of, maybe I just wasn't a very adventurous cake eater in the good ole USA. Here the kinds are amazing and plentiful. They range from a corn / cheese cake to mandioca (a root). If you told me in America, let's go eat some corn cake or mandioca cake...which I would of asked what the hell is mandioca shortly after. I think my response would of been no thank you...I'm not hungry.

I can tell you they are all amazing! Yes they have chocolate cake here too, but venture out and enjoy something different. I have tried many kinds and haven't had one cake that I didn't like. I don't think I ever will!          

Brazil Weather

For an American it is always hot here in Brazil. Maybe a week out of the year in June I would actually consider it cold enough to put a small jacket on. Now I'm talking about Goiania weather, in the heartland of the state of Goias. I am sure it does get colder in southern Brazil. Here in Goiania it is always warm, it seems to be 88 degrees F / 31 degrees C all the time. Lovely weather, for me its shorts and t-shirt 365 days a year. I'm not being totally accurate with 88 / 31 degrees...there is a fluctuation throughout the day which is normal. Cooler at night and hot afternoons.

Let's get to the one thing I don't like about the weather here. We are almost 3 months without rain and it should be longer. But it rained into May this year, which is odd I'm being told. The rainy season is Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and Mar. And you probably already guessed it, the rest of the year is supposed to be very dry. I think its crazy, I even lived in Arizona and New Mexico where it rained more often. Everything is brown, I try to water the yard daily but some days I get busy. I absolutely miss the rain. It's actually depressing to deal with it being so damn dry.

Now, the other 6 months of the year is amazing! I love the rainy season, even with its crazy and explosive lighting storms. I like the days where it rains all day. We just look out the windows and enjoy the rainfall. The driving rain...to the drizzle. Yes it complicates life, driving in it and the fact that the roads start to strain under all the moisture. Some minor flooding in low lining areas, but its still the best part of the year.

I am counting down the weeks now. Hopefully it will come earlier in September. My grass would surely love it and I would also be very grateful to have it. Please rain soon!   

Brazil Olympics

Wow, what an amazing show last night! Unfortunately I didn't stay awake until the end. Fell asleep towards the end of the athletes entering the arena. But what I saw was amazing! They did a great job portraying the history of Brazil. From the beginning of life all the way through the different types of music.

Now for the confusion from an American. Not me, but what I saw from fellow American's this morning on Facebook. First was the statement that Brazil was 1st in airplane flight...did the Wright brothers do it? Or was it a Brazilian that was the first in flight. I have no idea! For me I don't really care and I'm sure there were a lot more at the time trying to figure this out. I think they roughly did it around the same time. I am pretty sure North Carolina will still keep their First in Flight car license plates. Well it will still remain a mystery who it was!

Next was the Alphabetic order of athletes entering the arena. It was the Portuguese alphabet! They spell the countries names a little different. For example the United States of America is Estados Unidos da America. When asked where I'm from, I say Estados Unidos...sometimes. Usually its obvious I am American and I say the state I am from. Another is Kyrgyzstan, which is Quirguistao. When they announced and walked in I had to take a second look. For my point of view. they should announce and enter in the language of the host country, like they did. And announce and show in English after that. So not a big deal!

Both of these issues are very funny too me! I think the most important thing for these games is the safety of athletes, people who work the events and the people who attend the games. Next is the image of how beautiful Brazil is to promote tourism. Yes its not perfect here, but I challenge you to visit Detroit...then you will realize every country has its problem areas. The media, especially from my home country has been brutal. For all the stories I have seen, its been very negative stories. But look at the times we are in. The American media is very biased...more towards the left at the moment.

I wish we could of attended the games but at the moment we are unable to. Watching it on TV is better because you get to see up close. We are just missing the experience and feeling of pride from all the people attending and cheering on their country of origin or newly adopted countries. Although I am American, I do find myself cheering on the Brazilian teams also.

Well thanks for reading!