Dress up with Pricila

I've always been torn between the cute and the frustrated looks on animals faces when owners, invariably, play 'dress-up' with them.

I'm there, laughing or going 'awwww', but at the same time I feel sorry for the embarrassment I know I'd feel if I were in there place.

However, on this occasion, we couldn't help but enjoy Pricila's model poses.

Green Streets

They're everywhere!

Out my window- it's green.
Down the street- green.
Around the corner- green!

There's barely an area in Porto Alegre that doesn't scream forest!

I love it!

I come from Sheffield, a city in Britain that over the last few years has taken a dramatic curve from the Capital of Steel to endeavouring to become a European hub for nature and beauty. A big step for an industrial city I'm sure you'll all agree, but as much as I love my birth city, Sheffield will need a good 70 years to catch up with the work of Porto Alegre and it's dedicated citizens.

http://www.treehugger.com/culture/most-beautiful-street-world.html

Looks like a scene from a reclaimed city- post apocalyptic style.

Godling Go Home- Robert Silverberg

I just don't seem to be able to stop myself.

I found a bookshop around the corner, almost exactly around the corner actually. 

Sure it sells predominantly Portuguese language books, but there is an English language section...and it's mainly Sci-Fi!

There's also, oddly, quite a lot of Western stuff too.

Each book is second hand, but in most cases you'd be forgiven for thinking them at eighth or ninth hand. Which is great, as it means the majority of the front covers are really rather peculiar and mosre often than not, have little or nothing to do with the subject matter. Always entertaining I think.

My most recent read was this collection of shorts by the Science Fiction supremo- Robert Silverberg.

Very much worth your time and effort if you ever liked the idea of aliens seeding worlds and then getting kicked out upon their return.

English Conversation Classes

Individual English Conversation Lessons

Having lived in Brasil for six months now and worked in an English Language School for a few, I now feel happy and excited to offer individual classes outside my regular teaching hours.

Lessons will include, vocabulary, grammar, general phrases, American/English/Australian idioms and a large amount of information gleaned from years of being English and living...in England.

If you are interested in scheduling a class or just curious, 

please email;

anenglishmaninthesun@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

Note: The individual classes can be held at your home or mine...so long as you live in the 

Porto Alegre/Viamao area.  

Photo frames

Whenever I have ventured into a frame shop, to find something to mount my treasured photographs in, I have often found peculiar images residing inside already.

More often than not, they're odd looking folk, with smiles that you ache to slap off their faces.

The other day, Clarissa and I found ourselves in a furniture showroom and while roaming through the artificial Living-room's (Sala) and bedrooms, we found these beauties.

Now ask yourselves, would you use these ladies to promote happy families? Personally, I feel sorry for the horses.

In addition, upon leaving Viamao yesterday, we saw a Transformer.

Yep! Awesome, I know!

Election Day

OK, so, it's Election Day.

For the last three-four months the candidates have been saturating their potential constituents with bill board adverts, roaming cars with obnoxious campaign speech and by contrast, some particularly catchy political songs (I like the one for Jose Fortunati- he's the reigning Mayor for Porto Alegre), flyers handed to you everywhere you go and people on the middle grass banks between the traffic lanes waving giant flags as you drive by and nearly hit 'em.

This guy's a Doctor, so you should trust him.

This guy's supporters all wear the same hat.

I've never seen the like.

In Britain the campaigning is limited to the few weeks leading up to a local or general election, in Brasil- it's constant and for months.

As it stands, Jose Fortunati is heading out his competition, with only Manuela- a young lady that's been rising through the Rio Grande do Sul political arena steadily for years, even close.

Sadly, being a non-native/natural or Gringo, I can't vote, if I could, I'd probably lean towards ForTUnati (that's how his name appears on posters- mainly, I think, because TU, solely in Rio Grande do Sul is 'you'- sneaky huh)

To be treated to the best campaign song- it's Soooo catchy, watch the link;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETvwsV6vGVM

If you ever wonder how the potential politicians have the money to employ so many supportive people, they don't. They simply promise 'em jobs. Really. Once elected to the council, they are legally allowed to employ a large number of folk. So, he/she wins- you win. Everyone's a winner! 

Aged Lotharios

Today I smiled.

I smiled widely because I witnessed two men- one at the bus stop, in his mid 50's and one on the bus, in his gray haired 80's and both, were admiring the forms of two women, barely into their 20's.

The first bore a lecherous grin that seemed to say "Phwoar!" as he turned to follow her rear as it shimmied away, while the second merely allowed his head to follow where his eyes were already firmly ensconced. 

Seems in the south of Brasil, the macho perv is well and truly alive.

It makes me smile.

Porto Alegre ladies...