The crises get deeper

Between Spain and Brazil.

Hope that Lula and Zapatero will get along well.


Spain has about 4 million foreigners in their country and its economy is now getting worse.


And the European countries by the Mediterranean Sea receive lots of people from Africa.

Young poor black men come in boats, to get a job and a better life in Europe.

Or to work some years and send some money home to their families.

Some years ago the agricultural industry and the “housing boom” in Spain needed a cheap workforce.

But now Spain and 26 other countries belong to EU, a political and economic community.

Reminds of USA but each country in EU, have more freedom than a state in USA.

All EU:s borders are guarded, and the Europol (police), gets more and more efficient, for every year.

So EU and USA deport illegal immigrants, mostly from the third world.


So some illegal immigrants, who want to live and work in EU, are now trying to find the easiest airports, to enter.

In Portugal or Spain you can earn 10-20 times more, than in Brazil.

Before the best airport to enter, was in Italy, but for a while now it was Barajas in Madrid.


And once you are inside EU, you are free to travel.

Last month the Spanish authorities send 450 persons from Brazil back.

Some people try many time, before they succeed.

And of course some innocent tourists also get sent back.


I met my wife in Lisboa some years ago; I came from my country and she from Fortaleza.

We had 3 weeks together visiting Portugal, Spain and France.


I came some hours before her flight, and was waiting for her in the airport of Lisboa.

She had an international credit card, some Euros and a return ticket to Brazil.

The immigration officer in Lisboa called me on my cell phone to control her story.

Because she was 45 they did not suspect her for prostitution.

And we had some marvelous 3 weeks together.


Now the Brazilian police (PM) make it more difficult for gringos, visiting or living in Brazil.

The rules for visa and for taking out money on the bank, are getting more ridged.


Some very nice places here, like Canoa Quebrada was since long time a place, for hippies.

Hippies from many countries lived a simple and cheap life, in some paradise places.

You got 3 months visa and than 3 months more.

Like in Goa, India.

But now when PF prefer more organized tourism, the hippie trail can be over.

Lula and Zapatero

Lula is the president of Brazil.

And Zapatero was elected president of Spain, yesterday.


A week ago 30 Brazilian citizens was deported, when they tried to enter Madrid by air.

The explanation from Spain was that they didn’t have documents or money enough, to enter EU.

And that Spain has to follow the rules of EU.


The Brazilian tourists have to wait 3 days in Madrid airport.

With only cold food and not allowed to question, they felt treated like criminals and discrimination.

Almost only middleclass or rich Brazilian people go to Europe or USA.


Some day’s later Brazil answered.

They expulsed 5 Spanish citizens on a plane to Salvador.


With the same motivation; money or/and documents.


In the paper Globo of today, Lula told that he would call Zapatero and congratulate him for his victory.

Than he would ask Zapatero to tell the immigration officers in Madrid, to treat the Brazilian tourists with dignity.

Lula thinks the immigration officers in Brazil are treating the foreigners good, when coming to Brazil.

I don’t agree with Lula on the dignity of the Brazilian immigration officers.


All immigration officers have to be suspicious.

And the airports in Brazil works like most airports in the third world.

That is: Not very nice.

Wait in line for hours and meeting a stressed officer that don’t speak English.

The 3 worst countries for me are USA, Australia and UK, followed by Indonesia and Syria.

Especially now when almost anyone can be taken for a terrorist.

Crimes in Brazil 2

Persons who commit heavy crimes should be in prison.


In USA, one in every 100 citizens is in jail or prison.

Most young black men and in some states you really get a long sentence, at the third serious crime.

The logic is to take them out of circulation, and to prevent them from doing more crimes.

A big slice of the American budget goes to keeping jails and prisons running.


And there are reasons to believe, that there are as many criminals here, as in USA.

Here in Brazil half a million persons are in jail (one in 500 citizens). Most very poor people.

And one in 500 have been convicted in court, but for some reasons are not in jail.

And many teenagers, who know they never will go to prison, make a system out of crime.


The state of jails and prisons here are bad, and the people working there, have low salary and low status.

Corruption in the penal institutions and polis are high.

And few politicians feel the urge, to build more and better prisons.


And the law forbids people with education to get to an ordinary jail or prison.

If they have a good layer he can slow down the court, until its period of prescription (like 15 years) is over.


The other day TV told the story of a woman with 2 kids who killed a man, who has been threatening and beating her and her kids for years.

She had contacted different police stations 25 times, but nothing had happened.

So she changed her digital camera for a revolver and killed the man.

And will now spend many years in prison, far from her children.

And violence against women is just now one of the crimes with highist priority.

Crimes in Brazil

New local police catches a thief. A car always in pair with a motorcycle.

Everybody knows that there are a lot of crimes in Brazil.

Buses with gringos from the international airport of Rio are stopped by highly armed thieves, and leave everyone with just clothes on.

Gringos get killed when they refuse to give up their sophisticated camera or cell phone.

The papers and TV in your country writes about how dangerous it is to visit Brazil, after every spectacular event.


So should you choose a less dangerous place for your holiday?


As almost all male gringos, on my first visits, I was out a lot in Rio in the night.

I got drunk and was walking in some of the most dangerous places in Rio.

Had some small incidents, most because I was drunk and stupid.

Sometimes, during my 4 years in Rio, I got close to a fight between police and criminals and heard bullets passing over my head.

And 2 out of 3 people, living in Rio have had a direct contact, with violent crimes.


And I chose to leave Rio for Fortaleza.

My wife has lost 4 cell phones here.

The last time was outside a shopping center, when she answered a call.

And all who use their new car a lot have insurance for theft.

And my wife’s sister’s 14 years old daughter got her old cell phone stolen yesterday.

She had her new one at home, and was happy because there was no violence.


But people cant stop living and working, because there are thieves around.


Since 2 months there is a new local police in Fortaleza.

They have a well-equipped car and have some fixed streets, to patrol.
And always in pair with a motorcycle.

People can call them with their cell phone, and they will often come in minutes.


And takes you around, and help you to find the thief and your things.

PS. Klick on the picture for more details.

Pricillas 14th birthday

Here in Brazil is almost every birthday holy.

People in all ages (0-80) come, and eat and drink.

Two meals, a cake and a lot to drink.

Like Coca, wine and whiskey.

In the ranch of Grace and Paulo.

When their daughter Pricilla makes 14 years.


Calm before the whiskey comes in

Pricilla

Grace and Johanni

Pricillas big sister

Pricillas friends

The woman who helps in the kitchen

A high politician; next president ?

Regina for once not smiling

Paulo, not so young any more.

When young he was a playboy.

Pricillas friends, hiding in the disco; they dont like photos

Grace likes party and wiskey

More than 70 and have a skin lika a teenager

The naigbor who helps in the kitchen, takes over the party sometimes

Trouble ?

The disco

More photos from Beira Mar

The "new" police with good cars and equipment.


Theft of a bicycle ?

Big ships comes and goes.

Early in the morning, people want to buy fresh fish cheap,

direct from the fishermen.

Early company gathering in Iate Plaza


New "boxes" where they sell fish.
Iate Plaza in the background.


Old "boxes" where they sell fish and seafood

Two policemen the old style (PM)

The happy train for small children

A local TV team

Two kiosks, one for the train, the other for papers

More photos from Beira Mar and Iate Plaza.

We have been living in Iate Plaza for 4 years.

It’s a big aparthotel with about 300 flats and a marvelous view.

The following 4 photos show the view from our balcony.

Coconuts are one of the most important things to sell on Beira Mar.

Saving lives.

Renting out buggies and other cars.

Two teams; girls and boys play fotball.

A garbage collector on Beira Mar

My wife is preparing for a woman party.

Some workers in a house, near Iate Plaza do not want to work.