The look I have now adopted (typical dress code of men at Carival)
Sunday, March 19, 2006
One street in Mariana. What you cannot see are the topless the wearing their shorts so low that even women don't want to see it! (I think???)
CARNIVAL
P.s. It is only a stage kiss - as seen by the costumes...
Anyway. Lets get up to date on some things.
CARNIVAL - With Verena here we opted for the communal carnival (rather than the "tourism" carnival of Rio) and it also saved us a small fortune in hotels etc. (and we had visited Rio before)
Heading to the historical mining and rural area of Minas Gerais (General Mines). It is known for its overwhelming hospitality, special foods, striking scenery and many colonial mining towns. Mariana - many, many grand churches, once the administration centre of the gold mines in Minas once. During Carnival the town was closed to cars as all houses open their doors and windows to sell beers, water and coke. With three dancing areas (two with stages) also a chance to sample different music. besides that a parade with some very good floats considering the size of the town (one float had flowing water, lights, dancers etc.) Nothing like those in Rio or SP parade, but impressive for a few locals. Again showing the innovation and creativity that the Brazilians have.
Anyway. Lets get up to date on some things.
CARNIVAL - With Verena here we opted for the communal carnival (rather than the "tourism" carnival of Rio) and it also saved us a small fortune in hotels etc. (and we had visited Rio before)
Heading to the historical mining and rural area of Minas Gerais (General Mines). It is known for its overwhelming hospitality, special foods, striking scenery and many colonial mining towns. Mariana - many, many grand churches, once the administration centre of the gold mines in Minas once. During Carnival the town was closed to cars as all houses open their doors and windows to sell beers, water and coke. With three dancing areas (two with stages) also a chance to sample different music. besides that a parade with some very good floats considering the size of the town (one float had flowing water, lights, dancers etc.) Nothing like those in Rio or SP parade, but impressive for a few locals. Again showing the innovation and creativity that the Brazilians have.
This is the only way to do Transition. Man, I forgot about this (sorry Joelle!). This was a looong time ago (even before my term started). I forget which conference exactly.
Audience Awareness - Celebrate the Swiss!
To celebrate the fact that around half of all page loads to "Dean in Brazil" come from Switzerland, I will, everynow and again upload a classic moment captured in photo form from my time in Swizerland! Yes, Swiss Girls and Swiss Guys, life is really this good! The photo could be from DOIT 2003, Mentoring with IBM, Task Force discussions, Lama Trekking, Eating Fondue, Zurich Street Parade, kissing Joelle (!??!) ... well, well the possibilities are endless!
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
A while!
So it has been a long time.
Team Days - Fantastic team days on the coast of Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo is a state roughly the size of Switzerland, not just the city!). It was very, very hot and very cool to catch up, visit the beach, discuss @ strategy and team issues. We spent the weekend at the same place. I decided to try some new fashion. By the way: here people really do wear as small swimming costume as possible - even in the supermarkets men in skin-tight Speedo's (where did he keep his wallet?)
Australia Team Days - Lucy organised fantastic event to celebrate Australia. I then realised how similar Australia and the UK are, in terms of culture and main frameworks. A great night, well done Lucy!
Illness - then 3 weeks of illness started with an accident at the swimming pool, after which I visited the public hospital (a stark reminder that we are in Brazil and the place is overcrowded, dirty, long lines, people on trolleys for hours, maybe days! No water or food etc.). I was there from 2pm - 6am. Two tests later (CT and liquid from the spine), I go home with some medication and a follow up appointment in the private sector.
This got worse and I then spent 2.5 weeks in bed, whilst seeing a specialist in the private sector (much different, rather like an airport rather than a war site!). Good news is that I recovered and the EEG showed no anomalies. Still issues to follow up when I get home. Now.. Back to normal!
Team Days - Fantastic team days on the coast of Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo is a state roughly the size of Switzerland, not just the city!). It was very, very hot and very cool to catch up, visit the beach, discuss @ strategy and team issues. We spent the weekend at the same place. I decided to try some new fashion. By the way: here people really do wear as small swimming costume as possible - even in the supermarkets men in skin-tight Speedo's (where did he keep his wallet?)
Australia Team Days - Lucy organised fantastic event to celebrate Australia. I then realised how similar Australia and the UK are, in terms of culture and main frameworks. A great night, well done Lucy!
Illness - then 3 weeks of illness started with an accident at the swimming pool, after which I visited the public hospital (a stark reminder that we are in Brazil and the place is overcrowded, dirty, long lines, people on trolleys for hours, maybe days! No water or food etc.). I was there from 2pm - 6am. Two tests later (CT and liquid from the spine), I go home with some medication and a follow up appointment in the private sector.
This got worse and I then spent 2.5 weeks in bed, whilst seeing a specialist in the private sector (much different, rather like an airport rather than a war site!). Good news is that I recovered and the EEG showed no anomalies. Still issues to follow up when I get home. Now.. Back to normal!
