Summer 2010 III - Brazil

In September I travelled to Brazil to attend two conferences in Sao Paulo. The first one was the VII Annual Conference of the Brazilian Association of Tourism Researchers held at Anhembi Morumbi University. I participated in a round table about the Internationalisation of Brazilian Tourism Researchers and Higher Education Institutions. The 90 minute session, chaired by Professor Jose Gandara from Parana Federal University, featured four other academics from foreign institutions: Dr. Julio Mendes (Algarve University, Portugal), Dr. Jose Fraiz (Vigo University, Spain), Dr. Mario Passos Ascensao (Hagga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland) and Guilherme Lhoman (Southern Cross University, Australia). Around 100 academics and post-graduate students attended the session.

Sorry, no pictures of ANPTUR yet...

In the second part of the week, I attended AMFORHT’s Annual Forum (World Association of Tourism and Hospitality Education), organised by SENAC (a public body responsible for tourism and hospitality education). The Forum involved a series of keynote speeches, parallel academic presentations and workshops/case studies. The theme of the Forum was ‘tourism experience’. I presented a case study on the Salvador Carnival. Twenty eight delegates attended the lively presentation. Although all were familiar with the event/experience, I think they appreciated the view that I brought about the experience of the event.

Getting ready to do my presentation

First day of the conference

The company 'Melhor da Vida', which focuses on experiential marketing, organised an entertainment activity for the Forum guests. It involved bringing in a Samba band who performed for us. They also brought large quantities of two instruments (one of them is in the picture - Tamborim). After a crsh course and a bit of training, we had to play the instruments. Very interesting indeed! Picture by Dani Fernandes!

Before going to Sao Paulo, I took a week off to rest and visit some friends in Brazil. After a day in Rio, I travelled to Salvador da Bahia, where I spent 5 days. From there, I went to Sao Jose do Rio Preto in Sao Paulo state to attend CarnaRioPreto, one of the many ‘Micaretas’ (or off-season carnivals) that take place in Brazil. Two of my favourite bands were playing there: Chiclete com Banana and Batom na Cueca. In fact, I had the privilege of enjoying Batom na Cueca’s show from the top of the truck as I know Darlan, the percussionist of the Band. It is quite a different perspective from there, as you have a bird’s eye view of the crowd.

First day. In Niteroi with Alessandra and her friend, Paula and Rodrigo




In Salvador, with some of my good friends: Me, Tati, Cynthia, Pati, Tom, Pati's Father and partner, Davina and her 'paquera'

With some of the fellow 'micareteiros' during Saturday's barbeque in CarnaRioPreto

'Em cima do Trio' (on the top of the truck) with my friend Darlan in the back totally focused on his job!

Me and Renata, my guest on the top of the truck. Renata is a 'professional' Micareteira, but this was her first time enjoying it from the top of the truck (for me it was the second)

Bird's eye view of the Micareta - a different experience from the one on the ground

Another view from the top - this one over the VIP box (yes, no special effects, it was dawn!)

With Diego, Renato and Tais. These guys are simply amazing: they laugh and make everyone laugh from beginning till the end.

Me with Bell Marques performing - Chiiiii-cleeeee-teeeeee

Bell Marques and Chiclete com Banana

Bell Marques from chiclete com Banana very close to the fans

After the week in Sao Paulo, I returned to Rio de Janeiro. First, I met my friends Carol e Mariana in Leblon (a neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro city). We met at a ‘boteco’ in the afternoon (Boteco is relaxed bar which also serves food). After a pizza for dinner, we went out to Barra da Tijuca (an affluent neighbourhood in the south of the city) to a nighclube (can’t remember the name…). It was great to see them. We always have a great time.

With Mariana and Carol during the 'esquenta' (i.e. warm up drink before you go out)

The 'trio' at the nighclube

Not sure what this face is about... intriguing... I think they call it the 'absolut' face :-)

The next day I went to Niteroi (neighbour borough of Rio de Janeiro - on the other side of Guanabara Bay), where I attended the Bridal show of Paula, my Brazilian ‘sister’. Around 70 people attended the party, which not surprisingly involved a lot of food and drink. Guests had to bring a little present for the kitchen. Then, before opening the wrapped present the bride and the groom need to figure out what it is. If they fail to guess what it is, they there is a ‘punishment’ (e.g. to say what they think of their mother in law LOL).

Paula doing something after not guessing what the present was (I think she was singing! ouch...)

Paula and Rodrigo dancing Funk after not guessing what the present was. Thank God they decided to be dentists and not Funk dancers!

All the single girls pulling the string to see who would get the one with the ring attached. The symbolism is similar to the grabbing the flower bouquet - the one who gets it is the next to get married. at the end there was one very happy face and several jealous ones!!

Me, rodrigo-the-groom (in green) and some of the guests attending the Bridal Shower

Me and Paula