Mundo Pueblito – Rafael’s Place
I was a bit unsure about having a rest day here. It had obviously been smarter and was now a bit neglected and unfinished. However, after Rafael gave us the keys to his house so that we could use the shower and toilet and could do our washing, it was fine. The weather improved too, after a drizzly start, and the sun dried all our washing.
I heard from friends, Victoria and Alex, in the UK that they had received the postcards we sent from the Antarctic Post Office, today. We were advised they would take about 6 weeks to get to the UK, so about right. It will be longer to other parts of the world.
Some Brazilian History
As there isn’t much of interest to impart today, I will give you a bit of the history of Brazil. Brazil was claimed for Portugal in 1500 by Pedro Alvares Cabral. It was ruled from Lisbon as a colony until 1808, when the Portuguese royal family, having fled from Napoleon’s army, established the seat of Portuguese government in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil became a kingdom under Dom Joao VI, who returned to Portugal in 1821.
In 1822 the son of the Portuguese king declared independence from Portugal and crowned himself Peter I, Emperor of Brazil. In 1888 slavery was abolished and a large influx of European migrants arrived over the next decade. In 1899 the monarchy was overthrown and a federal republic was established with a central government controlled by coffee interests.
Some interesting Facts
Around 60% of the Amazon rain forest is in Brazil / The Brazilian football team have won the world cup a record 5 times / Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world both in terms of population, 212 million, and area / The largest population of catholics can be found in Brazil / Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of coffee / In 2007 it was reported there are more than 70 uncontacted tribes in Brazil / Brazil has the world’s longest stretch of continuous coastline, 4655 miles / It is one of the world’s most bio-diverse countries, with about 4 million plant and animal species / Kissing strangers is socially acceptable in Brazil, so don’t be surprised when a total stranger kisses you out of happiness.
Gisela has warned us that the beaches we are heading for will be packed with holidaying Argentinians. Apparently the Argentinian peso is stronger against the Brazilian real than it has been for a while, so Argentinians are flocking back to Brazil. It will also be Carnival at the end of February. As much as I would like to see Carnival, it will not be a good time to be in Rio with Poki with all the crowds.
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