Last edited by Dudley Clarke (2013-10-21 04:44:17)

I occasionally wear red socks. I have never been an officer in the Guards.

I have been tempted, but they look a bit thin.

^Having lived in Ipanema for a number of years, I am well acquainted with the Royal Tulip Hotel that the delicate English nancy-boy fitballers will be staying in. Despite the Daily Mail headlines that this is cockroach and bed-bug infested third-world hovel, on the contrary, this is a fine hotel. The problem arises from its location, being past Leblon on the coastal road that goes to Barra. Less than five minutes from the hotel, the road passes Roncinha favela and often its denizens will implement false police road blocks here and steal your car, all your money and quite likely kidnap you for ransom which is major cottage industry in Rio state.  There was a particularly nasty incident where a pregnant lady and her kids were shot to pieces when she drove through one such road block and this also happened at the time in another favela a gang had managed to shoot down a helicopter gun-ship. After this there was big crackdown in Roncinha favela and I can remember seeing the distinct red tracer bullets in the hills near the Tulip Hotel from Leblon beach front.

The biggest risk and it is a real risk in Rio, but not significant in Ipanema or Leblon, is being caught in a cross fire, as everyone, on both sides, will be using machine guns. And there are plenty of incidents, once you get out into the suburbs.

As for God being Brazilian, there was a joke amongst cariocas about God making Brazil the most beautiful country in the world with its natural splendours and when the angels say what a blessed country this is, God speaks out "Wait to you see who I will populate it with!"

Interesting comment by a comment leaver under an essay. If this rule is true, it is invaluable.



"The City or Town;, only ever refers to London; no other city in the World. Thus tweeds and check may be worn in any other conurbation by an Englishman without care of upset."