Brazil self sufficient in energy

Of the world’s top ten economies, only two, Brazil and Canada, can theoretically reach self-reliance. The rest — China, Japan and Germany to name a few — are poor in resources in relation to their needs and their dependency on energy imports is growing by leaps and bounds.

After lunch coffee at Nova Paulista Bakery

Espresso always served with gas water, sometimes chocolate or cookies.

Sweets

Portuguese bun is most popular, similar to 豬仔包 but softer crust.

Egg caramel custard, a favorite dessert here.

Organic, non gluten, non GMO slowly getting popular here.

Brazilians love soda pop, juice and beer.

About the bakery - http://www.novapaulistalimeira.com.br/index.htm

Wednesday lunch at a kilo restaurant, Churrascaria Guaiba.

Price R$40.90 per kilo. Your plate f food is weighted to price.

https://www.facebook.com/210060489116200/photos/pb.210060489116200.-2207520000.1412881733./211040935684822/?type=3&theater

My selection today - (clockwise from top) Potato salad, pickled carrot, BBQ chicken heart, BBQ sirloin, fried chicken, salmon sushi, fried sushi, vegetable sushi. R$22.90. 

I am having Guarana, a Brazilian national soda.

She is having gas water.

Typical table condiments - olive oil, salt, vinegar, tooth picks, sometimes soy sauce, chili sauce. 

no black or white pepper.

I ate little over one pound of food.

She ate about quarter pound.

My soda is R$4.30

Her gas water is R$2.40

(European digits are used here. Comma is dot.)

1 US Dollar equals

2.40 Brazilian Real

http://site.cvc.com.br/index.aspx

Like China, Brasil~s middle class has increased many fold during the past 12 years.

Installments are offered to consumers on many goods and services, from automobiles to shoes and clothing. Merchants debit purchasers~ credit cards monthly for payments. 

Brazil is no different from other countries financing its economy by loans and credit. 

^Buying things they don~t need with money they don~t have.^ also applies here.

Second Day in Brasil

I set foot on Brazil again after more than one year. I lost count how many times been here though. It is always interesting following Adriana to her home town.
We don~t do much tourist stuffs anymore. Besides playing with my laptop, I participate in their daily living pretending to be a Brazilian.
This afternoon is already 35 degree C. It is only Spring.

    

  

Favela Wars - Brazil

Produced by ABC Australia 2003

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqO3qCgyFJ0

Canadian geese return home

  



   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdtpI33EXHQ

Time for me to go home which I did, on Feb. 21st. I almost forget to say 'Tchau'.

We had a super busy last week in Brasil. We rent an apartment for Adriana's two youngest sons in São Paulo and had to go through the bureaucracy of getting all the notarized documents done. The day Rubens registered for his university, Adriana must have driven for about 12 hours that day.

Those days are gone!!

University of  São Paulo - goveernment funded - free.

Freshman

São Paulo city traffic is absolutely terrible. It really turns me off.

I lost ten pounds in Brasil. I always do. All my Brazilian friends know that I am not fond of their food.

But then no one took me to these signature eateries. I should have watch his video before the trip.

Tony Bourdain em São Paulo - Parte 01

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8yulE1imCw

Anthony Bourdain No Reservations Brazil

Amazon - The land of plenty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcFQBZoe5FE