Texas Star
US Veteran
I swear this is true...
I had a man in to do a minor household repair today. He was a Spaniard, from Barcelona.
We talked a bit about Spain and about how many Americans don't know the difference between a Spaniard and a Mexican, etc.
He said that he was in a restaurant yesterday and some women at the next table were talking. One mentioned that the Olympics are in Brazil. No, said another: they're in Rio!
Yes, there are people here who know that little of geography.
I've not paid much attention to the sports competitions. I did watch the famous, "Today" show on NBC today as Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima explained some Brazilian cooking, including some very attractive beef dishes.
Earlier, Mrs. Tom Brady (Gisele Bundchen) was featured, and was very humble about being asked to walk in the opening ceremonies. Those are my three favorite Brazilians, and I'd hoped to see them during the Olympic coverage.
I also enjoyed a segment where they sat at the same table in a café where J. Carlos Jobim composed, "The Girl From Ipanema" and they met the very girl who inspired that song, now 71 and a gracious lady. She was just 17 when she unwittingly gave birth to that music, one of the most recognized songs in the world. She said that she preferred Frank Sinatra's version.
Yesterday, Matt Lauer and a colleague sampled some local drinks. The lady seemed to have enjoyed them a little too much, but did manage to also stab holes in a coconut and insert a straw.
They have featured the huge statue of Christ the Redeemer from the mountain above the city and told about its construction. An amazing account.
Soldiers seen seemed to be armed with FN-FAL rifles which have been made in Brazil under FN license. MANY troops and police are evident.
Some of the national costumes have been colorful. I enjoyed seeing Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and the ritzy hotels. Alas, from one beach, you can see a favela (slum) where misery reigns instead of celebration.
On the whole, though, the attitude is festive and I've learned a few new things about Brazil. I abhor spectator sports and suspect that my enjoyment of the Olympics is about over. They don't show the shooting events, and I'll be surprised to see fencing.
Is anyone else here watching this?
Ray in Rio-
Are the Olympics televised down there? Are there things about Brazil that you wish the TV people would cover?
I feel sure that they won't visit Taurus or Rossi or have a tour of machete manufacture at Tramontina...nor will we see the manufacture of snake antivenin at the Instituto Butantan. That's too much to ask for. Maybe someday, on "Animal Planet."
I had a man in to do a minor household repair today. He was a Spaniard, from Barcelona.
We talked a bit about Spain and about how many Americans don't know the difference between a Spaniard and a Mexican, etc.
He said that he was in a restaurant yesterday and some women at the next table were talking. One mentioned that the Olympics are in Brazil. No, said another: they're in Rio!
Yes, there are people here who know that little of geography.I've not paid much attention to the sports competitions. I did watch the famous, "Today" show on NBC today as Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima explained some Brazilian cooking, including some very attractive beef dishes.
Earlier, Mrs. Tom Brady (Gisele Bundchen) was featured, and was very humble about being asked to walk in the opening ceremonies. Those are my three favorite Brazilians, and I'd hoped to see them during the Olympic coverage.
I also enjoyed a segment where they sat at the same table in a café where J. Carlos Jobim composed, "The Girl From Ipanema" and they met the very girl who inspired that song, now 71 and a gracious lady. She was just 17 when she unwittingly gave birth to that music, one of the most recognized songs in the world. She said that she preferred Frank Sinatra's version.
Yesterday, Matt Lauer and a colleague sampled some local drinks. The lady seemed to have enjoyed them a little too much, but did manage to also stab holes in a coconut and insert a straw.
They have featured the huge statue of Christ the Redeemer from the mountain above the city and told about its construction. An amazing account.
Soldiers seen seemed to be armed with FN-FAL rifles which have been made in Brazil under FN license. MANY troops and police are evident.
Some of the national costumes have been colorful. I enjoyed seeing Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and the ritzy hotels. Alas, from one beach, you can see a favela (slum) where misery reigns instead of celebration.
On the whole, though, the attitude is festive and I've learned a few new things about Brazil. I abhor spectator sports and suspect that my enjoyment of the Olympics is about over. They don't show the shooting events, and I'll be surprised to see fencing.
Is anyone else here watching this?
Ray in Rio-
Are the Olympics televised down there? Are there things about Brazil that you wish the TV people would cover?
I feel sure that they won't visit Taurus or Rossi or have a tour of machete manufacture at Tramontina...nor will we see the manufacture of snake antivenin at the Instituto Butantan. That's too much to ask for. Maybe someday, on "Animal Planet."
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Sure there are a few other questionables
I watched some of the US vs Argentina women's field hockey. Knowing very little about field hockey, it was interesting to see how they play and the game was quite an upset!
