With a view like that it was hard to focus on the sales meeting that brought me there... especially because I couldn't stay for the day off.

These charging towers can be seen throughout Sao Paulo's Guarulhos airport. They have plenty of plug boxes, they are light and portable and they're positioned close to areas were passengers can comfortably sit while their gear gets charged. They even have different kinds of plugs (white for American style, red for European style) as you can see in the second picture. Kudos to the Sao Paulo airport authority for this nice touch that makes today's wired traveler's life easier.

The weather was great so I made a stop at Boteco, a slice of Brazil in Miami, for some caipirinha, picanha and life music.  If you come on a Saturday, like today, you can also enjoy their famous feijoada.

 

A couple of weeks ago I visited the Brazilian city of Manaus and took this picture of the bridge that is being build between the mainland and the small locality of Iranduba. 

Most of my Brazilian friends, pointing out that there was nothing on the other side, were quick to dismiss the project as a white elephant dreamed up by corrupt politicians so that they could enrich themselves. 

Given the nature of Brazil’s regional politics, there could certainly be an element of truth to that.  On the other hand, however, maybe the reason why there is nothing on the other side is that people can’t get there in the first place. 

Perhaps, once the bridge is built, Iranduba’s real estate will become more valuable, residential and commercial development will start, and with it many new, profitable businesses.

The bridge is a vivid metaphor of the vision successful entrepreneurs have always shown:

• Where others saw just a vast expanse of swampland, Walt Disney envisioned an amusement park so great that millions of people from around the world would flock to. 
• Frederick Smith, the founder of Fedex, was once told that nobody would pay $10 to have their mail delivered overnight.
• Martin Cooper, after successfully testing his first cell phone prototype, knew that his new invention would one day give millions the freedom of mobile communications; others, however, could only see a ridiculous contraption the size of a brick.

The world of business is full of successful entrepreneurs who were repeatedly told that there was nothing on the other side, but went ahead and built the bridge anyway.

The Meeting of the Waters is one of Manaus' most popular and interesting attractions.  It starts where the black and warm waters of the Negro river meet the brown and cold waters of the Solimoes river.  Both rivers then run side by side, without mixing, for about 9km. 

Tambaqui is a large freshwater fish that can be found in the Amazon basin.  It is considered the best fish you can eat in Manaus. 

The traditional way of preparing it is grilled, and the choice cut are the ribs (costelhas de tambaqui grelhado).  It is served in metal rods similar to those used in Brazilian churrascarias. 

Around 10% of the tambaqui's weight is fat, which gives it a wonderful flavor, similar to that of sea bass.  I had this dish at a restaurant called Canto da Peixada: a non-pretentious restaurant in a nondescript neighborhood, considered to be the best seafood restaurant in Manaus. 

Squeeze some lemon on top of it, and pour some freshly made spicy sauce (molho apimentado) and enjoy it with an ice cold beer.

A bridge over Rio Negro, now under construction, will connect Manaus with the small municipality of Iranduba.  The bridge will be one of the largest of Brazil, with 3500 meters in length.  These pictures were taken on July 21, 2010.

would they install TVs on bus shelters so that patrons don't miss a beat of soccer games.

Regular flip flops: $2
Havaianas: $20
The difference: the little Brazilian flag and, of course, the brand.

Perfect visibility, at 40 degrees centigrade...