It's Brazil Day! Welcome to Rio!

Welcome to Brazil Day

in The World According to Zed!!

The flight to Brazil was fairly uneventful, but look who was the first one to greet us at the Rio de Janeiro-Galeão (Antonio Carlos Jobim International) Airport!

Carmen Miranda!! I thought she was dead. You thought she was dead. She's not dead! She was at the airport with all sorts of fruit on her head! Have a grape!

I hope you have studied your samba and rhumba dance steps. If not, practice now (CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE). On the left is the samba, on the right is the rhumba:


I am supplying you all with the following for this all-day party:

a map of Brazil
café da manhã (their favorite coffee!)
rice and beans
cuscuz branco (a milled tapioca cooked with coconut milk and sugar)
hot dogs (another Brazilian food favorite, believe it or not)
the two dancing maniacs from the DANCING TO YOUR OWN DRUMMER post, several below this one

We will sing The Girl from Ipanema on the way to the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches:

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah

When she walks, shes like a samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ooh

(ooh) but I watch her so sadly
How can I tell her I love her
Yes I would give my heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at me

Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovely
The girl from ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, I smile - but she doesnt see (doesnt see)
(she just doesnt see, she never sees me,...)

IMPORTANT: At Wednesday noon, we will board a boat to head west on the Amazon River. Be at the dock on time!

Navigating into small tributaries deep in the rain forest, we will see large numbers of birds of every color and shape, gargantuan trees, and monkeys. We will see dolphins leap in the air and then dive back into the water, snatching up fish. While large animals such as jaguars and tapirs still roam the forests, they conceal themselves very skillfully--if we see one, we will be very fortunate! Guaranteed, though, is observation of many other kinds of wildlife. We will see the red-bellied piranha or the armored catfish with foot-long feelers, jacaré, and Amazon crocodiles. And we will visit the homes of river settlers and native tribes. You will never forget this trip or this experience! Be sure to bring your food and drinks aboard the boat! NO food service is available!

What will YOU bring to the Brazil Day party? It could be Brazilian food, beverages, dead or alive Brazilian people, animals, insects, blah, blah. Whatever it is, be sure it will help make this party rock! Don't be sooooooo pathetic that it is not Brazil-related. This a Brazil Day party people!! haha!

Hit the beaches, tour Rio, and don't forget to be at the dock at noon for the Amazon boat launch! Ay caramba! This is an all-expenses paid trip. Just relax and enjoy!