Forum
Monthly Newsletter
The Carnaval Issue
Carnaval traditions
Page 8: Does it really always have
to be the Sambodromo? What are
other traditions of celebrating
Carnaval in Brazil?
Summer is... there!
Page 11: What are the options for
sending your kids to US summer
school programs?
Carnaval getaway
Page 12: Fancy something
different for Carnaval this year?
Melissa Harkin explores the
option of visiting Santa Barbara.
Carnaval crowds
Page 16: Read Sue Sileci’s
suggestion of enjoying Carnaval
the correct way: right in the
middle of it.
Our Mission
The American Society of São Paulo
promotes friendship by organizing
social, cultural and athletic events for
its diverse membership; encourages
integration with the Brazilian society;
and supports the American traditions
of education, philanthropy and
volunteerism.
Cocktail Party in Itaim Feb. 4th
Please join us for cocktails on Friday
evening, February 4th, from 7-9pm at
São Bento Boteco in Itaim. This event
is open to members and non-members.
We want to see you! New Members,
members who were traveling over the
holidays, and anyone who might be up
for a little celebration-- join us!
Let’s start the new year off in São
Little League sign-ups Feb. 5
Hey parents, and kids! It is time for
Little League! Now I know for some of
you that the term “Little League” implies
young kids, usually boys, and baseball;
plus teams, practices and frequent travel,
and at times overexcited parents. Well here
in São Paulo, Little League is different,
and generally is much more laid back (…
are you surprised? You’re in Brazil!). Our
Little League, sponsored and organized
by the American Society, typically offers
soccer, softball, basketball, tennis, and of
course baseball.
The activities are held on Saturday
mornings at either Graded or Chapel
Schools, depending upon which field is
available for us. We conduct two sessions,
one from 9:00-10:30 and the second from
10:30-12:00. The schedule of exact times
and places for your child’s activities will
February 2011
www.amsoc.com.br
Paulo with a toast to AMSOC and it’s
continued success!
São Bento Boteco is located on Rua
Leopoldo Couto Magalhaes Jr. 474 in Itaim.
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Date: February 4, 2011.
RSVP to the AMSOC office:
amsoc1@amsoc.com.br
be provide at sign-ups or you can see it
at the American Society web site. There
are no practice sessions outside of the
standard Saturday morning time.
What can you expect? Well, first of
all we hope it is fun. Kids enjoying the
games, open space, running, yelling –
you know, kid’s stuff. We also hope to
add a healthy dose of skill by focusing
on fundamentals; like, first base is that
way, go there when you hit the ball.
Also important and expected in Little
League are teamwork and, of course,
sportsmanship. We have games amongst
our own players, but currently do not
play other groups or teams outside of our
organization.
We typically have over 100 enthusiastic
boys and girls participating. Each
Saturday morning you will find (continued
(continued on page 9)
 The President’s Corner
The end of
summer break is
here and with that,
the American
Society is back
with regular
activities and
opportunities.
We look forward
to having you
as a part of the
By Tim Scott, AmSoc president
upcoming
events.
I’m sure that several of you readers
are new to São Paulo and to you we
extend a big welcome. Beginning
life here can be intimidating at first;
getting connected with people and
new communities is essential and we
are honored that you have decided to
join us here in the American Society.
Some of you have asked me about
financial aspects of the American
Society, so for all, let me share some
information about our 2010 finances
and philosophies.
First of all, I’m happy to say that
in 2010 we have finished the year in
the black, meaning that our revenue
was slightly greater than the actual
expenses for the year. Our overall
cash position, the savings that exists
in the bank, was essentially unchanged
compared to the end of year balance
in 2009. These results were in line
with our 2010 budget plan created in
early 2010.
As an organization, our mission is
to promote friendships, support and
integration in our host community.
We do not exist to make a profit or to
accumulate savings. The savings that
we maintain represent less than one
year’s typical revenue and are used for
the unexpected expense or downturn
in a revenue source.
What are our sources of revenue?
Revenue is gained primarily from
three sources, your membership fees,
advertising in the annual American
Society yearbook, and from corporate
sponsorships.
What about our expenses? The
primary expenses we have are related
to our office staff, office expenses and
selected activities. The remaining use
of our funds is for Amsoc’s charitable
work, supporting orphanages and
community centers through Amsoc’s
Community Action Committee. All of
our other American Society activities
are planned on a break even basis.
So, for example, the registration
fees for Little League are set at a
level to pay for the equipment and
the end-of-season award ceremony
(churrasco, medals). Or, for example,
the fee for the annual Christmas Party
is just enough to cover the costs of
catering the event and paying for
entertainment.
You may ask then where does
my membership fee go? This fee
goes to partially cover office staff
and expenses plus the events that
we offer without costs such as the
Thanksgiving , 4th of July and AGM
events. Those of you who are Helping
Hands members have 50% of your
annual membership given directly to
our charitable work.
We work to keep membership fees
modest and feel that, compared to the
large amount of social, athletic and
philanthropic events that we offer
every year, the fees are a very good
value. In comparison to the escalating
costs of life here in São Paulo, our
annual membership is less than the
costs of one trip to a restaurant.
If you have questions or comments
on American Society finances or other
topics, please contact me or any of our
officers.
Welcome 2011! This is sure to be
a year full of opportunity. I hope you
are ready to take advantage of all the
exciting things this year has in store.
Abraços, Tim

Forum is published monthly, with Lynn Cordeiro, editor and layout

the exception of January and July, by Channtal Fleischfresser,
About Forum

staff writer

Forum is printed by EGB.

(http://www.egb.com.br)

Views expressed in Forum do

The American Society of São Paulo
Rua da Paz, 1431 04713-001 São Paulo, SP
Tel: (11) 5182-2074 Fax: (11) 5182-9155
forum@amsoc.com.br
not necessarily reflect those of
the American Society board of
governors, members, or staff.
Forum reserves the right to edit
content for brevity and/or clarity.

2 Forum February
 The American Society
of São Paulo

New member profile

Name: Maureen and Vinicius Alves
Origin, time here: I’m originally from
New York; Vinicius is a native Paulista.
We moved here last fall from Brooklyn,
NY.
Why São Paulo: We always knew
we would end up back in São Paulo.
We met in the States, while Vinicius
was pursuing a master’s degree in
law. After graduation, he worked as a
visiting attorney for a law firm in New
York City, City, where you can get anywhere on a
but the plan subway, to have to sit in traffic just to
was always to go a couple of miles, especially when
come back to it rains.
São Paulo so
Vinicius could Have ‘saudade’ for anything back home:
rejoin his firm, Apart from missing family and friends,
Pinheiro Neto we miss the beauty of Brooklyn. All the
Advogados. brownstones right there on the street
without all the security protection that
Best things you find in São Paulo. And we definitely
so far: For miss how cheap things are in the States
Vinicius, the compared to here.
best things so
far are to be Progress with Portuguese: For Vinicius,
reunited with no problem. As for me, let’s just say,
his friends and family after two years ‘pouco a pouco.’
away – and to be back in Brazilian
culture. For me, I would say I love Favorite place to hang out: We like
how warm the people are, the weather to be outdoors so Parque Ibirapuera
is great (even the rain), and I can’t say is definitely a favorite. We also love
I mind being able to have household Saturday feijoida: nothing beats the
help more than one day a week. combination of hanging out with
friends, eating good food, drinking a
Early frustrations: The traffic is caipirinha and listening to live samba
definitely something I’m not sure music. It pretty much epitomizes
either of us will ever get used to. It’s everything we love about Brazil.
frustrating after living in New York

Welcome to our new members

Please welcome the following New Members who joined us since December 2010. We are very grateful for their support,
and that of all our members! See you at our Cocktail Party if not sooner!
“WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SÃO PAULO!
Your Membership Committee

NAME MEMBERSHIP TYPE CITIZENSHIP COMPANY OR PROFESSION

Robert WINSTON III & Junior American

Christina de AVELLAR

Robert & Myong SCHUYLER Helping Hands Family American US Consulate

Francis J. MITCHELL Junior American SPM LLC

2011 Forum 3
 Dilma Rousseff
By Channtal Fleischfresser, staff writer
On October 31, 2010, Dilma
Rousseff became the first woman to
be elected to the Brazilian Presidency.
Outgoing leader Luiz Inácio Lula da
Silva handpicked the sixty-three year
old as his successor, and she rose from
relative obscurity on the national stage
to inherit the legacy of Brazil’s most
popular, and many would argue most
successful president.
Dilma also takes over the
strongest economy in recent
memory. Brazil experienced a
7.3% growth rate in 2010, and a
growth in income and expansion
of credit has created a large
and economically powerful
middle class, which has in turn
helped to reduce Brazil’s socio-
economic divide. Many argue
that Dilma’s biggest challenge
will be to maintain the virtuous
cycle of growth.
But she will also have to make
decisions that will have lasting
economic, environmental, and
diplomatic effects for Brazil.
Much is expected of the former
revolutionary who, prior to
2010, had never run for public
office.
Born in Minas Gerais in 1947
to a middle-class family, Dilma
began studying Economics at
the Federal University of Minas
Gerais. In the late 1960s, she
became involved with a leftist
revolutionary
organization
that opposed Brazil’s military
dictatorship. She is believed to have
planned an operation during which her
organization stole US$2.4 million from
a Brazilian senator, though she denies
involvement in the event. She was
subsequently arrested for her activities
in 1970, and was held and tortured for
three years.
Dilma eventually continued her
studies in Economics in Porto Alegre,
in Rio Grande do Sul. She served as
Finance Secretary for Porto Alegre,
4 Forum
Secretary for Energy, Mines, and
Communication in Rio Grande do Sul
state, and was eventually appointed
Minister for Energy, Mines and
Communication during President
Lula’s first term.
‘In 2005, the political bribery scandal
known as the Mensalão implicated
several high-ranking administration
officials, including Lula’s Chief of Staff,
Dilma Rousseff
José Dirceu, who resigned from his
position. Dilma was selected to replace
him, and by most accounts excelled at
the job. Her involvement in many of the
Lula administration’s accomplishments
made her a natural choice to succeed
the outgoing president, although she
was unknown to most Brazilians and
had never run for office.
Throughout her presidential
campaign, Dilma ran on a platform
of continuity with Lula’s policies. It
will be up to her to expand on what
was already done as well as prepare
the country for upcoming challenges.
The poor quality of public education,
always a pressing issue in Brazil,
has begun to affect the country’s
productivity. As Brazil’s economy
expands, there is already a shortage of
qualified workers in specialized areas
of industry. Some industries, including
shipyards in Northern Brazil, have
begun importing workers from
other countries. The problem
is likely to grow unless more
is invested in educating and
training qualified workers.
Dilma has said she hopes
to eradicate extreme poverty
in Brazil by 2015. Despite
the growing middle class,
and the success of programs
like the Bolsa Família cash
transfer program, 8.9 million
Brazilians still live in extreme
poverty. Identifying these
people and bringing them into
the mainstream economy will
be a daunting task.
As Brazilian industry
continues to grow, Dilma will
have to balance the needs of
a developing nation against
increasing environmental
concerns. She was a leading
figure in the approval of
the construction of the Belo
Monte hydroelectric dam, in
the Amazon region. Many
consider the dam
necessary for
continued development in Northern
Brazil, but it has also been criticized
domestically and internationally
for its high environmental costs.
Dilma’s handling of this and other
environmental issues will be key in
determining Brazil’s future relationship
to its natural environment.
Diplomatically, Lula aimed to
position Brazil as a regional leader and
also a global mediator – recently he
tried to participate in the Middle East
Peace Process and improve ties with
February
 The American Society
of São Paulo

Iran by negotiating a nuclear energy

deal. In her short time as President,
Dilma has already criticized Iran
for its “medieval” treatment of
women, and has indicated that she
will be less willing to negotiate with
governments that abuse human rights
than her predecessor. In addition, the
appointment of Antonio Patriota,
who is a former Ambassador to
Washington and is also married to an
American, as Foreign Minister, is a
sign that Dilma intends to restore a
relationship between Brazil and the
U.S. that has cooled in recent years.
Perhaps Dilma’s most important
challenge will be to oversee
preparations for the 2014 FIFA
World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
These events will be either a source
of national pride or international
embarrassment. Though the
Olympics will take place in Rio,
the World Cup will be held in cities
around the country. While work on Fellowship Community Church
new and existing venues is already
far behind schedule, the challenge The Welcome Place since 1921
lies not only in building stadiums: to Phone (11) 3253-7609 www.fellowship.com.br
accommodate the number of tourists
expected, it will involve a renovation 09:00 am - Walking in Faith Classes (English and Portuguese)
of Brazil’s already-saturated airports, Sunday’s 10:30 am – Worship Service (English only)
expansion of urban transportation 06:00 pm – Culto em português
systems such as subways and buses,
improved telecommunications
Conveniently located on Rua Carlos Sampaio, 107 – Bela Vista
services, expansion of hotels, and Just a block and a half from the Brigadeiro Metro station on the Avenida Paulista
improved energy infrastructure.
In tackling these and other
challenges, Dilma brings with her a
strong personality. Though her brutal
honesty served her well as Lula’s
Chief of Staff, her abrasive manner
has in the past caused a Minister
to resign and reportedly brought
the President of Petrobras, Sergio
Gabrielli, to tears. She will need to
manage her temper if she hopes to
develop solutions for these pressing
issues.
She seems to have gotten off to a
good start: in her inaugural address,
she reached out to other parties and
acknowledged the challenges she
faces, quoting a poet from Minas
Gerais, João Guimarães Rosa: “Life
encompasses everything, this is life:
it heats up and cools down, tightens
and then loosens, relaxes and then
becomes agitated. What it asks of us
is courage.”

2011 Forum 5
 INC Gala event: Light Up the Golden Night
Dine, drink and dance at the
International Newcomers’ Club 50th
Anniversary Gala Event.
Many members of Amsoc will
be familiar with the International
Newcomers Club of São Paulo (INC)
as both organisations share many
members. But everyone might not be
aware of the historic milestone INC
will reach this year. In 2011, INC is
very proud to be celebrating its 50th
Anniversary.
Throughout the years, like Amsoc,
INC has played a unique role in the
lives of many English-speaking expats
who have relocated to the city of São
Paulo. We all understand the challenges
that relocation can bring and we’ve
probably all shared the same anxieties
about coping with our new environment,
getting our families settled-in and
making new friends. For 50 years,
INC has been helping foreigners from
all over the world make this city their
home. Everlasting friendships have
been made, innumerable cultural
experiences have been exchanged and
many local children and adults have
been supported through voluntary work
of INC members with chosen charity
partners.
6 Forum
To mark this ‘golden chapter’ of beautifully restored buildings blend
INC, and to celebrate all the friendships in harmoniously with the rainforest
forged during their first 50 years in landscape which is also home to many
São Paulo, INC is hosting a 50th birds.
Anniversary Gala Event and would A must-see for any ex-pats living in
São Paulo, the peaceful setting of the
Hípico Club has earned it a reputation
as very ‘chic’ amongst local Paulistas.
As a much sought-after and popular
venue, it plays host to many weddings
and special events. “Light Up the
Golden Night” offers the chance to
dress up, dine and dance with friends
and colleagues in a famous São Paulo
location. And a perfect opportunity to
make new friends from all over the
world too.
Save the date of 16th April 2011 in
your calendars now.
Tickets can be purchased individually
or in tables of 8. Prices and further
details will be released shortly.
INC hopes you and your friends and
like to invite all Amsoc members and colleagues can join what will be a very
their friends. fun and memorable evening at one of
“Light up the Golden Night” is the São Paulo’s most beautiful locations.
theme for the event which will take
place at the beautifully peaceful and Please contact gala50@newcomers-sp.
leafy Hípico Club in Santo Amaro. com.br for more information.
Situated
in the
bustling
zona sul of
São Paulo,
the Hípico
C l u b ’s
unique
landscape
of tranquil
gardens and
w oodlan d
is an
unexpected
delight.
Founded in
1935 as an
exclusive
equestrian
club, the
February

Introducing a new AmSoc charity: SPACE
What happened when seven
underprivileged children were taken
from their precarious public schools
and put into a rigorous private school?
“These kids amazed us. They adapted,
they made friends and they were so
happy. They came alive.” Jane Hawkins,
executive director of the program,
hadn’t expected immediate success.
But one of the mothers called Jane after
two weeks, choked up because her six-
year-old daughter was starting to read.
After six months, one of the children
was among the top three
students in her class
and dreams of working
in the medical field.
One student dreams of
becoming a computer
programmer and another
wants to own a business,
preferably a factory.
The American Society
is happy to welcome
São Paulo Action for
Children and Education
(SPACE) into its network
of sponsored charities. As
a program that sponsors
children in a private
school, it differs from the Community
Action Committee’s usual institutions,
most of which are orphanages and day
care centers. Yet SPACE reaches one of
CAC’s biggest goals: helping children
in need.
SPACE is a non-profit organization
that raises funds to sponsor needy
children into good schools where they
can get a good education and escape
poverty. Begun by volunteers at Sampa
Community Church, it hasn’t grown
beyond the original seven children
selected in 2008. Jane says, “We started
small and have stayed small, at least
for now. We didn’t know how the kids
would adapt to an academically difficult
school, and we didn’t know how they’d
adapt to a different school culture.”
They’ve done well and SPACE hopes
to include more children in the program
in the coming years.
It isn’t always easy. There are lots of
challenges that no one anticipated. For
2010
2011
example, to make sure the children got
enough sleep and the time they needed
to do homework, the child’s entire
family had to change its schedule,
with meals on time, discipline about
play time and lights out early. The
mothers often can’t help the children
with homework because they don’t
have enough education to do so. And,
as all parents know, it’s a challenge to
motivate children to sit down and do
the algebra homework when there’s a
soccer final on TV. Through SPACE,
the mothers meet once a week to
talk about these challenges and find
solutions. Also, volunteers meet with
the mothers once a month to talk about
different parenting issues.
While the goal of SPACE is to
improve the education of these children,
Jane recognizes that education isn’t all
children need. “We thought they just
needed an education, a good school, but
we’ve realized they also need dreams.
We didn’t know when we began that
kids in shantytowns don’t have the
dreams that our kids grow up with.
They don’t have the role models and
they don’t have the heroes. American
culture is saturated with stories of poor
kids who worked hard and made it.
What is unsaid, because it is inherent
in our culture, is that they worked
hard and they had a good education.
Even Abraham Lincoln, who walked
to his one-room school barefoot, was
surrounded by a culture of reading
The American Society
of São Paulo
– and concrete steps towards a better
future - that is not part of Brazilian
shantytown culture.”
Through SPACE, the kids have now
been exposed to different friends –
friends who value doing homework,
friends with two parents, and friends
whose parents are more participatory
because they’re able to be home more.
In the past year, volunteers have started
taking the children on cultural outings
to see the things that we see all the
time and take for granted: museums,
airplanes, parks,
cathedrals, subways,
downtown, restaurants
and shopping malls. Some
kids hadn’t seen a single
one of these things if it
wasn’t on TV. In the next
year, SPACE volunteers
hope to take the children
to meet people in a
wide variety of different
occupations. How can you
dream to be something if
you don’t know it exists?
A percentage of Sampa
Community Church’s
offering is committed to
SPACE. In addition to a scholarship
given by the American Society,
SPACE also receives support from
the St. Andrews Society and private
individuals. There are lots of ways to
help the children of SPACE if you’re
interested: you can donate several
hundred reais towards a school uniform,
books and school supplies. You can
sponsor a child for a semester or a
year through your company’s outreach
program or you can invite the children
to your office for a career day. You can
accompany the children on outings or
contribute ideas, transportation or cash
to help make the outings happen. Like
all of AmSoc’s supported charities,
SPACE will take help where it finds it,
on a small scale and a big scale.
Help endless problems become
endless possibilities. Contact Jane
Hawkins at jane.e.hawkins@gmail.
com.
Forum 7
 Carnaval Traditions
By Channtal Fleischfresser, staff writer
Public street festivals date far back
into Brazil’s history, but the celebration
of Carnaval in Brazil became popular
around the turn of the century. The
samba rhythm appeared in Rio around
1917, quickly becoming a popular form
of national expression for the Brazilian
people.
Rio de Janeiro and Salvador hold
perhaps the most well known Carnaval
celebrations in Brazil, where samba
Bonecos de Olinda
and axé rhythms are everywhere. São
Paulo is also home to an elaborate
competition, where samba troupes,
or escolas de samba, as they are
known, parade and dance in elaborate
costumes.
But different regions have different
ways of celebrating Carnaval, some
more traditionally than others.
In Olinda, a historic town outside of
Recife, in Pernambuco, the celebration
features giant puppets, known as the
Bonecos de Olinda. The puppets,
more than 2 meters high and depicting
8 Forum
political or cultural figures, are paraded
through the town together with the
revelers. Olinda’s Carnaval typically
receives more than one million people,
free of charge, and features more
than 500 Carnaval groups. Unlike
the celebrations in Rio or São Paulo,
Olinda does not use a Sambodrome
or keep a schedule of events – the
people simply take over the streets
and celebrate one day after the other.
Everyone participates, not just those
involved in escolas de samba.
Much like in Olinda, revelers in
Recife’s Carnaval celebration do not
pay to participate. There, groups of
friends and family take over the streets
decked out in elaborate Carnaval
costumes. They provide their own
music and determine their own routes,
instead of following a set program,
as is the case in Salvador. Recife’s
Carnaval also welcomes millions
of people, from Brazil and abroad.
Musical performances, parades, and
street celebrations characterize the
city’s celebration.
Closer to São Paulo, several cities in
neighboring Minas Gerais also have well
known festivals. Thousands of visitors
flock to the historic town of Ouro Preto
to watch the samba troupe parades and
organized groups of revelers who make
their way through the town, dancing
to traditional Carnaval marches and
axé. Diamantina, another historic
destination, features a variety
of events including parades,
shows, samba circles, and
raves. The city’s Carnaval
centers on a main stage in
the town’s old marketplace.
Tiradentes, perhaps the most
well-preserved historic town
in Minas, features traditional
marches and dance groups,
centering around the main
square. Tiradentes’ carnival
is considered appropriate
for adults and children, and
is less crowded than Ouro
Preto’s celebration.
For those hoping to stay
in São Paulo state, São
Luis do Paraitinga is about
four hours’ drive from São
Paulo and has one of the
region’s most traditional
Carnaval celebrations, with
revelers dancing along to
traditional marches along
with organized Carnaval groups.
You may remember that heavy
rains last year flooded the town
center and destroyed many buildings,
including the main church. The town
had to cancel its Carnaval last year,
but this year, the party is back on. City
authorities are expecting half as many
visitors as usual, and the celebration
will be held in another part of town,
but it still promises to be a memorable
experience.
Carnaval this year will be held from
March 4 – 8. With just a month to go,
it’s best to make plans soon to enjoy
this most Brazilian of celebrations!
February
 The American Society
of São Paulo

Little League sign-ups Feb. 5

(continued from front page) League sports fee.

groups of kids lead by volunteer Bonus for parents: would you like a
coaches practicing their kicking, couple hours of time on Saturdays to
hitting, catching, running, and even socialize with many other parents? Or
sometimes exercising their listening time to exercise with out your prodigy
and patience. Many kids have made hanging on your leg? Engage that
great progress young one in a
in their ability Little League
to play. Even activity and
more exciting Our Little League you will enjoy
is the growth in the free time.
our children’s Objectives: There are many
ability to play parents, who
with confidence take advantage
because at this of the time by
age, Little League Fun and Fitness reading, jogging
is also about and just chatting
overcoming Have a great time! with friends
fears. while at our
On February excellent school
5th, we will facilities.
conduct sign- Fundamentals A question I
ups for Little am often asked
League sports. Improve skills ‘required to is, “where can
It will be held at I get a baseball
Graded School, be a good player, learn the glove in São
Av. Giovanni Paulo?” The
Gronchi, 4710, game. best bet is to
10:00-12:00. try Decathlon,
Girls and boys Rua Duquesa
aged 5 to 13 de Goias, 381,
are eligible to Sportsmanship in Morumbi.
participate. You Decathlon has
need not be Respect for all. five stores in
from the USA! greater São
However, the Paulo and has a
majority of the large variety of
volunteer coaches Teamwork sporting goods
have limited equipment.
Portuguese skills, Together we achieve more! ( w w w .
so a little English decathalon.
is important. We com.br). Little
expect to offer League has a
soccer, basketball, tennis, and flag few extra gloves if you don’t find your
football. own.
The sign-up session is a great place Do you have more questions? Just let
for new and old families to get to know me know via email at splittleleague@
each other. The American Society gmail.com. I am looking forward to
membership crew will also be present meeting and welcoming new families
at sign-ups to offer information and to São Paulo and into the American
memberships. All American Society Society Little League.
members get half-off of their Little Kristine

2011 Forum 9
 The AmSoc Abacaxi Bowl
from the desk of John Kennedy, Director of AMSOC Athletics
On February 5th at the
Graded School in Morumbi, the
American Society will host its
13th Annual Abacaxi Bowl along
with the Little League sign-ups.
We expect to have eight teams
participating including over 200
players and spectators enjoying
the activities, which will start
promptly at 10am. There will be
snacks and drinks for sale.
The origins of the Abacaxi
Bowl date back to the 1990s
when a bunch of American men
organized themselves to play
some pick-up “touch football”
games in January as they got
psyched for the weekends of
NFL playoffs and Super Bowl
Sunday. Over the years as
Americans came and left Sao
Paulo with their work, these
pick-up games on Saturdays
in January at either Graded
or Chapel Schools became a
tradition among the American
and international community,
including High School kids.
By the late 1990s, the games
were being regularly scheduled
on the Saturday before Super
Bowl Sunday and in 1999 the
2011 Abacaxi bowl
Agenda:
January 17 - 31 REGISTRATION
February 5 1-DAY Tournament
8:30 – 9:45 Warm-ups
9:45 – 10am Welcome and Rules - Food for non-players (spectators):
clarified
10am – 5pm GAMES
Sandwiches and soft drinks will be
sold by AMSOC. Participants may also
bring their own food and drinks.
Where: - Reserve COLOR of your Jersey/T-shirt
The GRADED School – Avenida Pres.
Giovanni Gronchi, 4710 (in Morumbi)
10 Forum
American Society formally
adopted the tournament and has
organized it ever since, coining The AMSOC “Abacaxi” Bowls
it the Abacaxi Bowl. Gradually
improvements in these games Champion Runner-up
occurred every year, such as
flag-belts were used by the 2010 Cougars Devilz
players instead of “two-hand”
touch, and game referees were 2009 PACA Devilz
established to keep that year´s
established rules uniformly 2008 PACA Silver Bullets
enforced. And since 2006
the Tournament has required 2007 US Consulate Graded School
the team´s players to wear a
uniform jersey or a colored 2006 Chapel School & Stormin Mormons
t-shirt for play, trophies have (tied)
been awarded to the winning
teammates, an MVP trophy 2005 Chapel School Bristol Myers Squibb
award also, and the rules have
remained more or less the same 2004 PACA Ford
year after year.
This year´s tournament 2003 PACA US Consulate
should be highly charged and
competitive, for over the last 2002 PACA Ford
five years several new teams,
including two Brazilian teams 2001 -------- no games -------
(Devilz and Silver Bullets),
have successfully competed 2000 PACA Graded School
for the Championship and
provided stiff competition for 1999 Graded School Ford
the perennial favorite, PACA
School.
Costs: Payments:
- Player: Either check/cash to John Kennedy
AMSOC member = R$ 15 OR a deposit to AMSOC, then email
Non-AMSOC member = R$30 comprovante to John.
Banco Itau
R$10/adult and R$5/child Agency 1608
Account number 35.493-0
Registration: CNPJ: 62113261/0001-75
Individual or Team Captains MUST
email John Kennedy the following: For more details contact : John Kennedy
- Names and Team affiliation at 9951-9103 and jw_kennedy@
hotmail.com
(avoids same color Teams jerseys!)
- Payment confirmation ( C a p t a i n s
must make 1 deposit for Team)
February

School’s (Almost) Out For Summer…Now What?
By Kristina L. Dooley
The start of the New Year clearly
symbolizes one thing for students…
the halfway point of the school year!
Though the seasons are opposite for
those in the Southern hemisphere,
many students residing in São Paulo
refer to the months of June and July
as “summer” and begin looking ahead
to their break from school. However,
this time off from school doesn’t have
to mean a complete halt to all things
academic. In fact, many fun-filled
academic-based summer programs
are offered at boarding schools in the
U.S. and Canada. Boarding school
summer programs are ideal because
as “home” for students from around
the world during the academic year,
these campuses are well equipped to
serve students year round. Also, most
of these campuses feature housing and
amenities unlike traditional camps.
Here is a sampling of some unique
opportunities that are available to
students in 2011:
Any future Mark Zuckerberg’s out
there? How about the next Ben &
Jerry’s creator? Young entrepreneurs
aged 14-18 will get a head-start
developing their own business while
attending Camp $tart-Up at Wilbraham
and Monson Academy (www.wma.us)
in Massachusetts. The weeklong camp,
held July 29-August 7, will include
behind-the-scenes field trips to places
such as the Hasbro Company and the
Basketball Hall of Fame. Participants
will leave with a business plan and a
stock portfolio using the school’s high-
tech simulated trading floor.
Shutterbugs entering grades eight
through 10 will enjoy the Documentary
Photography Program at Episcopal High
School (www.episcopalhighschool.
2011
org). Participants will learn the
fundamentals of documentary
photography using the school’s
Washington D.C. location, including
visits to battlefields and monuments,
as the backdrop for building their own
portfolio. The program, held July 17-
24, will culminate in an exhibition of
student work on the school’s campus.
Students of all experience levels are
welcome and all equipment will be
provided by the school.
Budding musicians will have the
opportunity to refine their skills and
learn new techniques while attending
the Hotchkiss School’s (www.hotchkiss.
org) Summer Portals Chamber Music
Program held June 26-July 17 on the
school’s Connecticut campus. The
Portals program offers two options:
Instrumental for students ages 12-15
and Vocal for students ages 15-18.
Instrumental program participants
should be accomplished string or piano
solo performers and will be selected via
audition. Working with professional
chamber musicians, participants
will receive individual instruction,
ample performance opportunities, and
weekly master classes. Vocal program
participants will receive individual
vocal coaching as well as work on
style, foreign language diction, and
fundamental ensemble principles.
The Portals program will culminate
in a joint concert showcasing the
accomplishments of students from both
the Instrumental and Vocal programs.
Parlez-vous français? Students
ages 11-16 who answer “oui” or “pas
encore” should consider attending
the Stanstead College (www.
stansteadcollege.com) Language
Adventure Program. Participants in the
French as a Second Language program
will use the Canadian school’s location
in the French-speaking province of
Quebec as the backdrop for their
3-week immersion into the language.
The Language Adventure Program,
held July 3-23, will feature interactive
language instruction, language-oriented
The American Society
of São Paulo
outdoor activities, and off-campus
cultural excursions.
For those students entering grades
six through eight who prefer a visit to
Washington D.C. over Disney World,
Woodberry Forest School (www.
woodberry.org) in Virginia offers a
program that is sure to hit the mark.
The Journey Through Hallowed
Ground program, held July 10-22,
will take campers on a two-week
adventure to some of the most historic
locations in the U.S. While walking in
the footsteps of George Washington,
Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison
participants will gain a new perspective
and appreciation for the founding fathers
of the U.S. Off-campus excursions
will include a visit to Monticello, a
canoe trip on the Potomac River, and
a bicycling adventure to Gettysburg.
Students will not only experience these
historic landmarks themselves, they
will digitally record their adventures
and produce a mini-film to share with
their family at the culmination of the
program.
A wonderful feature of each of these
programs is that, though primarily
academic in nature, a good portion
of time is set aside for recreational
activities and opportunities to develop
strong friendships with other campers
from around the world. No matter
which program a student attends, they
are certain to have a great experience
pursuing their academic passion!
Kristina L. Dooley is the founder
of Estrela Consulting, an Independent
Educational Consulting firm helping
families navigate the college and
boarding school search processes. A
former college admission counselor,
Kristina enjoys sharing her “behind
the scenes” tips with families
embarking on this exciting experience.
Kristina is a former AMSOC member
now living in Buenos Aires and can
be reached via email at Kristina@
EstrelaConsulting.com or online at
www.EstrelaConsulting.com.
Forum 11
 A tale of an American city...in São Paulo State
By Melissa Sabella Harkin, board member
Carnival! Synonymous with big
crowds, long lines and high costs.
But, if you are looking for a different
scenario, here’s an idea: Santa Bárbara
d’Oeste – a city in São Paulo’s country-
side, founded by Americans in the late
1860s.
Santa Bárbara d’Oeste (Portuguese
for West Saint
Barbara) is a nearly 500 people are buried there.
municipality in the
state of São Paulo,
166km (104 miles)
from São Paulo
city.
The best
time of the year
to visit Santa
Bárbara d’Oeste
is April because
of American
festivities held in
that month, but
there are lots of
things to see and do
no matter when you
visit the city.
American immigrants arrived in the
city after 1867. They were Southerners,
survivors of the Civil War. Along with
their customs and cultures, they also
brought new agricultural methods and
techniques, greatly contributing to the
advancement of agriculture in Brazil. In
addition to new agricultural techniques,
the Americans also brought new faiths
to Brazil. On September 10th of 1871
the first Baptist church in Brazil was
founded in Santa Bárbara d’Oeste.
Of all the regions that hosted U.S.
citizens, Santa Barbara d’Oeste, was
one of the most developed. The first
Americans to arrive in the city were
Colonel William Hutchinson Norris,
veteran of the Civil War and former
senator of the state of Alabama, and
his son, who began to teach cotton
cultivation to local farmers. Once
established, they received the rest of
the family and other countrymen.
The meetings of Fraternidade
Descendência Americana happens
12 Forum
quarterly, and annually there’s the
Festa Confederada Brasil – Estados
Unidos at Cemitério do Campo, where
descendants of the whole country,
dressed in typical clothing of the
southern United States, meet to preserve
their traditions. Many immigrants
who came to Santa Barbara d’Oeste
achieved national prominence, such as
Pérola Byington, a philanthropist and
social activist born in the city.
Santa Barbara has several museums
and tourist attractions, including the
Immigration Museum, notable for its
collection of American Immigration
artifacts such as; letters, photographs,
clothing, tableware, kitchenware,
furniture and other
objects that depict the
lives of immigrants
who arrived there in
the second half of the
nineteenth century.
The American
Cemetery, also known
as Cemitério do Campo,
was started in 1867 with
the burial of Beatrice
Oliver, wife of Colonel
Oliver, one of the many
immigrants who settled
in the city. At the time,
the cemetery of the city
belonged to the Catholic Church which
forbade the burial of non-Catholics
on the site. With that, Colonel Oliver,
following an old custom from south
of the United States, buried his wife
and later their daughters on land they
owned. Over the years, he earmarked
one acre of his land so that American
families could bury their dead. Today,
The cemetery has a recreation area
where American descendants hold
quarterly and annual meetings, such
as the Confederate Festival, receiving
visitors from different parts of the
country and abroad. It has received
distinguished visitors such as former
Georgia governor and former U.S.
president Jimmy Carter and his wife
Rosalyn, in the 1970s, along with
representatives from the consulate
and press organizations of the United
States.
Other tourist attractions: Parque
dos Ipês; Parque Araçariguama; Tivoli
Shopping; the rural district of Santo
Antônio Sapezeiro; the old train station
built in 1917, which now serves as
cultural center; Manoel Lyra Municipal
Theater; the Memory Center of the city,
aiming to collect, maintain and preserve
documents related to the history of the
city, etc.
More information: www.santabarbara.
sp.gov.br
February
 The American Society
of São Paulo

Things we missed:
Online carsharing
What we missed: Carsharing
What we found: Zazcar
Zazcar is Latin America’s first
carsharing service. For those of you
who have not used a service like this
before here a quick introduction:
Carsharing functions in a similar
way to a car rental. The key difference
is the ease of use of choosing a
pickup location as well as picking
up your car. The pickup locations are
not confined to a staffed office but
can be any parking lot in the city. On
locating your preferred pickup point,
you book the vehicle for the required
hours online, take along a digital
key that was provided to you by the
company, get in and drive off.
Once you have signed up with the
company there are no lengthy forms
to fill in every time. The billing
happens automatically from your
registered credit card and cars can
be booked by the hour, rather than
having to take them out for the whole
day.
Zazcar currently offers 11 central
pickup locations with 7 models of
cars for you to choose from. Both
locations and car fleet are being
extended at the moment.
Price plans start at R$8.90 per
hour if you use a car at least 4 times
a month and pay a monthly fee of
R$45. If you would not like to pay a
monthly subscription the rate for an
hour goes to R$21.90. If you would
like to keep the car for the whole day
you get a discount on the hourly rate,
day rates start at R$90. All prices
depend on the model of car chosen
but include fuel and insurance and
100km of distance. If you drive more
than the included 100km you will be
charged a per km fee of R$0.37.
More details: www.zazcar.com.br
‘Things we missed’ introduces
products and services that are new
or were hard to find in Brazil. If you
have an idea for a product or service
that could be featured please write to
forum@amsoc.com.br
Please note that Forum is not
endorsing these products and services
and does not take any responsibility
for quality and/or performance or
lack thereof.

Looking for Volunteers

Associacão Maria Helen Drexel

* organizing birthday celebration once per month

for the children in the homes
* Teaching basic english
* working at the weekly bazaar
* Help chaperone once per month outings with the children
* Homework helper, reading helper
* Teach a recipe to the housemother

Contact Eileen Tasso 11-5644-5482

or cac@americansociety.com.br

2011 Forum 13

H ousing
Apartment for rent or sale
High security – close to the American
Consulate, gorgeous view to horse rid-
ing club. Total private area of 220m².
Huge L-shaped veranda with barbecue
place. Living room, dining room, home
theater, 3 bedrooms with private bath (2
with walk-in closet), maid’s bedroom
and bath, furnished kitchen and 4-place
garage. New building with heated 25m
swimming pool plus sports area. Con-
tact owner at (11) 8208-4882.
Elegant furnished house in
Tamboré
Beautiful recently professionally deco-
rated furnished house for rent. 600 m²
with 2,000 m² of land. Heated swim-
ming pool. Nice barbecue area and out-
door porch. 4 suites, family room, liv-
ing, dinning, large kitchen, maids room
and 3 car garage. The House is complete
ready to live in for high level execu-
tive. To see photos, visit www.suzimo-
niz.com.br – Avenida Marília,105. To
visit the house, call (11) 8179-3131.
Taylor Real Estate
Luxury spacious houses, apartments
and penthouses. Sales and rentals. Ten
years experience with expatriates. Fur-
nished and unfurnished. Trilingual Real
Estate agents. References from consul-
ates and multinationals. Photos sent by
email. Relocation Service. Consult the
site: www.taylorimoveis.com. Email
- taylor@taylorimoveis.com. Phone:
5511 3079 8888 and 5511 8774 5100
(Maria Elisa).
S ervices
Personal Trainer
I will come to your home, office, or
workout facility and create an exercise/
fitness program tailored to your health
concerns, fitness goals, and schedule.
For adults and children, individuals or
groups. Sessions in English, Spanish,
or Portuguese. For more information
please contact Daniela Franco at (11)
9739-6191 or dsf29@hotmail.com.
14 Forum
Selling Up
Go with a pro! We have been selling
household goods for families, indi-
viduals, and companies for more than
20 years in São Paulo and Brasilia for
embassies. We have hundreds of pre-
selected clients wanting to buy from
you, safe and sound! Send an e-mail
to meredithsales@zaquie.com or za-
quie@zaquie.com or call (11) 5908-
1144 or (11) 7997-8808. Ask for Ms.
Zaquie Meredith.
Argos Dog Kennel
Traveling? What about your dog? Ar-
gos Kennel Hotel could be his second
home in the country. Food, water, and
shelter with lots of love and personal
care. No lonely kennel for him, but our
home and the freedom of a spacious
garden. Fetch and carry service. Eng-
lish and French spoken. Call Jean or
Christiane at (11) 4661-1430 or (11)
7143-0837 or send an e-mail to jean.
chris@uol.com.br. Embu Guaçu, SP.
Math and Science Tutor
Former Graded and Chapel teacher,
with 25-years experience, tutors Math,
Physics, Chemistry, and Science for all
levels, including but not limited to the
IB, IGCSE, SAT-I & II, AP and Brazil-
ian vestibular. Elementary and middle
school students are also welcome (all
subjects). Call Fernando Knijnik at
(11) 9134-6700.
Psychotherapist for Ex-Pats
Serving Adults, Children, and Fami-
lies (also couples) struggling with all
adjustment issues. Specializing in is-
sues of divorce, separation, and recon-
ciliation. Many years experience with
drug/ alcohol issues. USA licensed as
MFT. Jungian Analyst experienced in
Sandtray, Dreamwork (groups also),
and Cognitive/ Behavioral therapy.
Please call/ email Matthew: 7734 5793
or mattvanlokeren@yahoo.com for a
free initial consultation.
classifieds
American-Licensed Expat
Psychologist
Richard Morhaime, Psy.D., offers
skilled psychotherapy for children and
adults. He also provides complete di-
agnostic evaluations in English for
children with academic or behavioral
difficulties, featuring individualized
recommendations for school and home.
For more information, contact Dr.
Morhaime at 5538-0099 or 9669-8057
or visit www.expatpsychologist.com.
American Psychologist
Services for Expats
Sukie Miller Ph.D. early director of
Esalen, former Board Member Jung
Institute San Francisco, 35 years ex-
perience private practice as coach,
psycho-therapist with adults and cou-
ples in eclectic approach to personal/
professional growth, woman’s’ issues,
adjustment to São Paulo, goal setting,
dream work, anxiety. Call Dr. Miller
at 11- 9823-8730 email sukiemiller@
gmail.com.
American-Licensed
Psychotherapist
In this busy and ever-changing world,
people often feel stressed and over-
whelmed with no place to turn. Psycho-
therapy/counseling can provide a safe
place to receive professional guidance
and support. Brief or longer-term ther-
apy offered depending on your needs,
goals and expectations. Services: indi-
vidual, couples, child/adolescent. Cer-
tified to conduct Adoption Home Study
for American Citizens. Contact: Pame-
la Wax, MSW/LCSW at 5051-5988 or
9656-2106. Located in Moema.
American-Licensed Clinical Psy-
chologist
Heloisa Garman, Psy.D. U.S.-licensed
Clinical Psychologist (covered by U.S.
health insurance). Bilingual, with ex-
tensive private practice in Chicago and
former therapist at the Family Institute
at Northwestern Uni. Treats individu-
als, couples, and families. Specialized
in anxiety, depression, cultural issues,
and adjustment disorders. Call Dr. Gar-
man at (11)7179-9723 or 3898-2330 or
send an e-mail to hcbgarman@aol.com.
February
 The American Society
calendar of São Paulo

Learn more about this month’s AmSoc events (highlighted) at www.amsoc.com.br.

February 2011 Important Dates: 21 President’s Day (US)

2 Wednesday INC Coffee & Red Rose Starting at 8:30 am at Emporio Santa Maria. Free for INC members / R$30 for non-
members. More info at monthlycoffees@newcomers-sp.com.br

Welcome Back Happy Cocktail Party to be held at São Bento Boteco (Itaim) from 7 to 9 pm. More details at
4 Friday Hour www.amsoc.com.br. RSVP at amsoc1@americansociety.com.br

5 Saturday Little League At Graded School from 10 am to 12 pm. Soccer, Basketball, Tennis and Flag Football
Sign-up will be offered. Contact Kristine at splittleleague@gmail.com for more details

5 Saturday Abacaxi Bowl From 8:30 am to 5 pm at Graded School. For more information please contact John
Kennedy at jw_kennedy@hotmail.com

7 Monday Scottish Country 1st Monday of every month at Drake's Pub, in the Brazilian British Centre at 8 pm.
Dancing Club Please visit www.standrews.com.br for more details.

CIWS AGM & Elections Starting at 1 pm at a private home is Santo Amaro. RSVP at courilyn@gmail.com or
12 Saturday Luncheon 5548-6070

19 Saturday St. Andrew's Burns To be held at Clube Transatlantico at 8 pm. Tickets range from R$ 160 to R$ 180.
Supper Booking and information at eventos@standrews.com.br

23 Wednesday INC Monthly For more information please contact luncheons@newcomers-sp.com.br or visit
Luncheon www.newcomers-sp.com.br

For more information please contact vpevents@newcomers-sp.com.br or visit

26 Saturday INC Evening Event www.newcomers-sp.com.br

Backstreet Boys This Starting at 10 pm at Credicard Hall. Purchase your tickets at

26 Saturday Is Us Tour www.ticketsforfun.com.br

A classified of up to 350 characters costs Forum does not check all of the advertisers
R$45 for AmSoc members and R$80 for
Our Readers

appearing in this newsletter. We urge you

Classified

A Note to
Place a

non-members. To place a classified please to use these services; however, thoroughly

call (11) 5182-2074 from 8:30 a.m. until check prices and services prior to finalizing
1 p.m., or send an e-mail to amsoc1@ any service or purchase agreement.
americansociety.com.br.

2011 Forum 15

‘Tis the season: Crowds
Here we
are, with
just a few
weeks to go
till Carnaval.
Most years,
my husband
Riccardo and
I hunker down
and wait for
the storm to
blow over.
By Sue Banman Sileci, AmSoc member But there have
been years
- and there should be for everyone who
lives in Brazil - when we’ve faced the
storm and watched the festivities live at
the sambodromo here in São Paulo. The
storm in this case is a crowd of 30,000
of samba affecionados, all together for an
entire night, dispersing only after the sun
has come up the next day.
As an introvert, I shudder somewhat
when I write the word “crowd”. I seldom
hang out with 30,000 people. I seldom
hang out 30 people. I like solitude. And,
friends are quick to warn, you could get
hurt in those big crowds. There are drunk
people. You might get squished, or stepped
on, or robbed. But past experience with
Carnaval and two events in 2010 have
forced me to rethink my attitudes towards
crowds.
My first experience with a big crowd
last year happened when my family
went to Rio de Janeiro for some fun,
just in time for the World Cup final. We
were there doing tourist things and we
certainly didn’t plan on stopping for a
full afternoon to watch a game that our
teams weren’t even in. We planned to
check in from time to time, but we had
other things to do.
We saw a section of Copacabana beach
that had been closed off for watching the
games on a huge screen. This was the
FIFA Fan Fest and it looked interesting.
Over 20,000 people could fit into that
space at any one time, but we’d heard,
while the tickets were free, you had to
be in line to get the tickets at 8 in the
morning on game day. We went to the
Pão de Açucar instead.
Still, as if it were a magnet with a force
we couldn’t resist, we had lunch within
plain site of the Fan Fest an hour before
the game. My older daughter, Audrey,
who says that soccer is just “a bunch of
people running after a ball,” hoped we’d
go back to the hotel for a nap. Riccardo,
my other daughter Natalie, and I thought
we needed to at least check out the Fan
Fest from the outside. We didn’t have
tickets to get in.
Who needs tickets? We walked straight
in. There were long lines and lots of police
checking bags. Audrey groaned, “But
we’re not going to stay here, are we?”
Well, let’s just walk across the sand here
a little bit and see what’s up. We stayed
for five hours.
It was crowded, no doubt. After deciding
on a family meeting point for half time,
Riccardo found a place near Audrey (who
sat impatiently in the sand) and Natalie
and I moved forward as far as we could.
We watched the first half beside two
nerdy teenage boys wearing hand-written
signs that said, in Portuguese, “Come
make out with me.” Natalie, though the
same age, turned quickly away. They
tugged on her pony tail once thinking she
might change her mind. Nope. We were
hemmed in but not harassed. Everyone
was concentrating on the game, with
clumps here and there supporting Spain,
other clumps supporting the Netherlands.
Most of those around us simply watched
the game, cheering for both sides and
talking little.
At half time we found Audrey,
exasperated, sitting on the sand, having
just rid herself of a Carioca suitor who
didn’t think a boyfriend back home
needed to be a hindrance to her fun at the
Fan Fest. “Can we go now?” she asked.
We pretended we hadn’t heard and slid
back into the crowd. This time we got
closer to the big screen, surprised at how
easy it was. Lots of people had cleared
out, looking for a Coke or the bathroom.
Again, we were surrounded by serious
soccer fans watching the game without
much comment. Couples held hands,
kids ate ice cream and the only trouble
makers within sight were some drunk
Australians who, I’ll admit, were funny
in their irreverence. I felt a maternal
need to keep an eye on them though as
they made enemies, one by spilling beer
Flipside
and another by kicking sand. Somehow
everyone stayed cool, Spain won and a
rock concert started – new long lines,
new inspections and a new crowd.
I figured, if 20,000 people are mellow
and fun, why not try 2.5 million people
on Avenida Paulista for New Year’s Eve?
We left home at 10 p.m., found parking a
block away, and started walking towards
the stage. We couldn’t see it, of course, it
was too far away, but there were lots of big
screens in the middle of the street. There
were several entry points and plenty of
police. Again, drunk and unruly behavior
was the exception. Again, teenage boys
were on the prowl looking for cute girls
but again, it wasn’t dangerous. And when
the fireworks went off at midnight, it was
beautiful.
What do I now understand about crowds
at big events like this in Brazil? First, these
large events are better organized and better
planned than I’d imagined, with plenty of
police to keep order. Second, if we’re all
there with a common purpose (to have
fun with our families or get home safe to
our families when it’s over), the crowd
frowns on potentially harmful behavior.
Finally, just a little bit of conversation,
an understanding smile and lots of gentle
touch as the crowd needs to part or make
way makes 20,000 people, or 2.5 million
people, into a community, not a mob.
I strongly suggest you give the Carnaval
crowds a try. If you’re not going to Rio de
Janeiro to see the big show up close, you
can see a great show here in São Paulo’s
sambodromo. Sit in the stands, get there
several hours early, share your snacks,
find out which of the folks around you
roots for who and build your own little
community for one night.
Three’s still a crowd for me on most
occasions but once in awhile, it’s safe –
and fun – to hang out with a million times
that number. And, a note to nerdy teenage
boys, take off the sign and don’t pull pony
tails. At the next Fan Fest, just say hi.