Paraíba Paradise – João Pessoa

This is not a Blog, but a website for the expat community living in João Pessoa, Brazil.  It has much relevent information for anyone who is considering moving to Brazil; regardless whether it is to João Pessoa or other city.
This site has been added to the “LINKS” page of the Blog.

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LIVING IN BRAZIL: River Beaches

The interior of Brazil has many large rivers, which during the dry season expose kms and kms of river beaches.  Many Brazilians, who live far from the coast, take off a few days during the vacation month of July to go to Brazil’s Interior Beaches for a little R&R.
The Rio [...]

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LIB: What Can You Say?

Texto and photo from Globo Online reader Mr. Vicente Luiz Cantini

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WIB: KPMG Info For Professionals

KPMG has a good site with information that professionals will find useful if contemplating a move to Brazil.  Good for others as well, but it is directed to Executives.
When discussing transfer to Brazil, foreign companies HR departments will talk about how  ’cheap’ Brazil is.   Any package you agree to should include housing, schools for [...]

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LIVING IN BRAZIL: Phone Support Services (or lack thereof)

The major phone company for our area, Brasil Telecom, was bought out by Oí – now known as Oí Brasil Telecom.  Today’s paper had an article about BT/Oí’s totally unacceptable customer service.
Since January Procon (consumer protection agency) has received 7,500 complaints again Oí Brasil Telecom; 20% of all consumer complaints.
Procon sent an official notice to [...]

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TV: Cable TV – Repeating Programs and Movies

 
 
2,667 films were shown in April on Net TV Cable.  55% were shown more than once.  This is just films.  WB, Universal, AXN, FX all show programs several times during a month and over a period of several months.   They don’t have enough programing to fill the time slots without having to repeat; excessively. [...]

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BLOG STUFF: Things That Drive You Crazy

Graphics
Mike over on his Blog “Living in Brazil” has a great entry about how things “do not”  function efficiently here.   What he describes is soooooo “Brazilian”.  If you are one of these Type A Gringos who thinks he/she is going  ”kick ass and take names”, well, you might as well save your money and [...]

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LIB: Shopping at Chain Supermarkets

 
THE STORES:
The major chain supermarkets in Brazil (Bom Preço, Carrefour, Extra, Pao de Açúcar, Wal-Mart) and regional supermarkets offer a wide range of goods and products.  Some even carry imported items (normally very expensive).   One supermarkets is pretty much like another as far a layout and infrastructure are concerned.   The differentials are price and service.
PRICES:
The price [...]

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LIB: Why Gringos Return Home After Six Months

There were 5,000+ positions for 61 professional government jobs!
Over at “The Lion’s Den” Blog, there is an entry today explaining why gringos end up returning home.
Read it, if you are considering moving to Brazil.  It might save you a world of hurt.
LINKS:
> The Lion’s Den – Blogger in Salvador

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LIB: Daylight Savings Time

Brazil Summer Time

19 October 2008 Summer Time begins (Horário de Verão).  On Saturday the 18th at midnight, you change the time to 1 hour forward – from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. On 15 February 2009 your clock will be set back 1 hour to its original time and ending Summer Daylight Savings Time in Brazil [...]

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SPORTS: Brazil 0 x Argentina 3

Not a good day for Brazil.  They aren’t used to losing and losing to Argentina is very hard on Brazil.
Dunga, the Brazilian coach, is under the gun now.  There will be a debate as to whether he should be replaced. He had won 2 and tied 1 in the three previous games against Argentina.

Diego [...]

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CRIME: Police Restricted On Using Handcuffs

The Supreme Court of Brazil (STF) has ruled that the police can only use handcuffs if the prisoner is thinking about escaping or committing a violent crime.   The police can’t abuse the use of handcuffs.

This all started a few weeks back when a convicted murder appealed saying his being handcuffed during his trial [...]

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LIB: Where to go shopping

I have added some links to national supermarkets and supercenters. These sites are in Portuguese, but you should be able to navigate around after a bit of hunting and pecking.
Wal-Marts is reported to be setting up an online purchase site such as the ones below. There is a Wal-Marts and a Sam’s Club [...]

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LIB-Rio: Summering in Connecticut, Wintering in Rio

This article in the New York Times is what many people dream off when the discussion turns to living the good life in Rio. Well, for most of us, we can just keep on dreaming. Read the article and see why.
> Summering in Connecticut, Wintering in Rio

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CLB – Peanut Butter

A 12oz (350 grams) of Skippy Peanut Butter cost 19.98 reais. At the Real vs US$ exchange rate today, that is US$11.41.
UPDATE: 14 Nov 08 – US$ = 2.30 Reais, which now means the above will cost you US$8.68.  This illustrates the importance of the exchange rate if your income while living in Brazil [...]

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