amsoc forum june 2012

7/31/2019 AmSoc Forum June 2012

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Monthly Newsletter

June 2012

www.AmSoc.com.brForum

Neighborhood Issue

Page 10: What is happening in theneighborhoods we rarely visit? Alot! So read our list and hop onthe metro.

Travel

Page 12: Brazils neighboringcountries have a lot to offer fortravellers. Here is our choice ofmust-sees!

The American Society of So Paulopromotes friendship by organizingsocial, cultural and athletic events forits diverse membership; encouragesintegration with the Brazilian society;

and supports the American traditionsof education, philanthropy andvolunteerism.

Our Mission

Neighborhood Issue

Save the dateSave the date

Upcoming AmSoc events:

Jun 2nd - Tennis Matches & Churrasco

Ju 30th - 4th o Juy Pty

Downtown

Independence Day Celebration atthe U.S. Consulate

Dancing the Night Away

The countdown begins for our annualFourth of July Celebration, which willtake place on Saturday June 30 at the U.S.Consulate. We will be hosting the eventthe weekend before the holiday because

this year the Fourth falls on a Wednesdayand we want to be sure that everyone canmake it!

AMSOC wants to especially thankWilliam Popp, Acting Consul General ofSo Paulo, and proudly acknowledge thatthe American Consulate will once againco-host this event with the AmericanSociety.

The Independence Day Celebrationwill take place in the sporting area insidethe compound. For those of you who havenever visited this part of the Consulate,its a very pleasant surprise with a very

beautiful and spacious area that has theinfrastructure to receive both AmericanSociety members and Consulate co-workers.

The Gates will open at 1:00pm onthe Henri Dunant side, and openingceremonies with the Marines Color Guardwill start at 1:30 pm. William Popp willthen read the Presidents message and

(continued on page 8)

The American Society Annual Gala onMay 11 was an incredible evening for all!More than 400 guests attended the event,held at BuffetTorres in Moema and R$30,000was raised forour charity,

A s s o c i a oMaria HelenDrexel.

The cocktailhour was lledwith champagne,drinks and lots ofbidding on greattrips, jewelry,dining, and otherfantastic itemsin the silent auction. Gifted pianist BetthRipoli set the mood with her beautifulpiano accompaniment.

After cocktails, the doors to the grandroom opened and guests were treated tothe songs of jazz vocalist Alissa Sanders

while they dined. Fabulous prizes suchas trips to the Brazilian wine country,Aspen, Buenos Aires and New Orleans

were sold during the live auction andafter, everybody danced the night away tothe music of DJ Magoo. It was certainly anight to remember!

(continued on page 6 with pictures)


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I would like tothank all of youfor coming outto the AmericanSociety on FridayMay 11 in Moema.The event wasa tremendoussuccess, everybodyhad fun and weraised R$30,000

for AssociaoMaria Helen

Drexel to help them nish a communitycenter for their children. Thank you allagain for your support!

In May we also held the AnnualGeneral Meeting with a great turnoutat the new home of the incoming U.S.Consul General. I was speaking to oneof our long time members at the eventand he lled me in on some of the newU.S. tax requirements on U.S. citizensand green card holders living overseas.

The U.S. is the only country in theindustrialized world that taxes basedon nationality, rather than residence.Now, due to some hidden Americanaccounts in Switzerland, there arenew forms to ll out on foreign bankaccounts, and foreign banks have todisclose information on the accounts ofU.S. citizens.

Last year U.S. citizens led thenormal tax return (1040) and FBAR

(TDF 90-22.1). The tax return is sentto the IRS, and the FBAR, informationon foreign bank accounts, is sent to theU.S. Treasury, not the IRS. The FBARis required if you have more thanUS$10,000 in a foreign bank account.

Beginning this year we now havethe Foreign Account Tax ComplianceAct, or FATCA. This new actincludes another form, 8938, which isrequired if you had over US$200,000

on December 31, 2011, or overUS$300,000 in foreign bank accountsat any point of the year. This form issent to the IRS. So there are two forms,FBAR and 8938, which require similarinformation, one sent to the IRS andone to the U.S. Treasury. This new actdemands the every nancial institutionoutside the U.S. identify and report allAmerican account holders to the IRS.Foreign banks understandably reactednegatively due to the steep compliancecosts and unrealistic deadlines. The

IRS has since extended deadlines andeased compliance terms.

One of the consequences of FATCAis that some European banks are closingAmerican citizens accounts and/orrefusing to open an account.

The U.S. government is going aftermoney launderers. They are also goingafter the foreign accounts of Americanswho reside in the U.S. As you may recall,this all started after the IRS discovered

that the Swiss bank, UBS, was helpingAmericans avoid U.S. taxes. But,by creating all these new reportingrequirements they are affecting theAmericans living in a foreign countrywho obviously need a bank account.FATCA is creating a problem to openan account plus the added cost ofpaying for tax preparation.

I am not a tax expert but the above isa simple summary of what has changed

recently. I have heard of a few cases ofproblems in opening bank accounts inSo Paulo, let me know if any of youhave or are having problems.

Let me conclude on a happier note -I hope to see many of you at our Fourthof July celebration on June 30!

Abraos,Joe

Presidents Corner

ByJoe Sherman,

AmSoc president

Forum June2

Lynn Cordeiro, editor and layoutErnest White II, staff writer

Forum is printed by EGB.(http://www.egb.com.br)

Views expressed inForum donot necessarily reect those ofthe American Society board ofgovernors, members, or staff.

Forum reserves the right to editcontent for brevity and/or clarity.

The American Society of So Paulo

Rua da Paz, 1431 04713-001 So Paulo, SP

Tel: (11) 5182-2074 Fax: (11) 5182-9155

email the editor: [email protected]

Forum is published monthly, withthe exception of January and July, by

A

boutForum


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The American Societyof So Paulo

Forum 32012

Welcome to our New Members

Welcome the following New Members who joined us recently. We are very grateful for your support!

Name Spouse Membership Company

Daniel GRINGAWS Flavia LANDSBERY Family Membership

Dario Luiz GOLALVES Single Patron Membership D. d. Gonalves Cobranas + Law Oce

Sidney DEL GAUDIO Regina DEL GAUDIO Family Membership GSI GROUP/AGCO

Rachel LOVEJOY Single Membership IBM

Heidy Rosimari Avelino da SILVEIRA Junior Membership D. d. Gonalves Cobranas + Law Oce

Diana CHAN Single Membership Ernst & Young

Lauren PRALLE Single Membership J. P Morgan

The AmSoc Community Action Committee

inorms about news within the communityand supported charities and asks or youractive participation.

The Un-Sexiest Campaign Ever,AmSocs Community ActionCommittees cleaning suppliescampaign, is coming to an end. CACset a goal of receiving 2000 liters orkilos of cleaning supplies for its daycare centers and orphanages becausecleaning supplies are an overlookednecessity. Nearly 1700 kilos and liters

have been donated so far either in

actual cleaning supplies or cash to buy

them - and CAC would like to thankeveryone who participated in somethingso unsexy but so necessary.With many families traveling abroad forthe summer, the Angel Party committeewould like to remind everyone that theAngel Party will be held on November10 at Chapel School. If youd like totake advantage of good prices abroadto buy a gift bag for a child, let us knowand well supply you with a childsname, clothes sizes and a shoppinglist.

Finally, with winter now in semi- or

full-swing, many of the kids at AmSoc-supported institutions nd themselveswithout warm jackets, boots, socks,blankets and sweatshirts. If yourecleaning out your closets, please let usknow if youd like to donate used itemsto our institutions to help keep ourkids warm. We need everything fromwarm baby items to winter clothes andblankets for extra-large teenagers.

For more information about any ofthese initiatives, contact Eileen Tassoat [email protected] or Sue

Banman Sileci at [email protected].

CAC News


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Forum June4

Little League AnnouncementThe AMSOC Little League Program is a core AMSOC activity and tradition which we have proudly maintainedfor over 40 years. We are now seeking a motivated and dedicated volunteer to serve as the AMSOC Little League

Coordinator for the Fall 2012 season.

The sports we traditionally offer our children are: Soccer, Basketball, Flag Football, Tennis, and Baseball. LittleLeague games take place on alternating Saturday mornings during the school season and are open to kids between

the ages of 5 and 13.

Little League Coordinator Responsibilities:

Support the Coaches/Parents or each sport. Assist or recruit coaches when needed.Manage the equipment or each sport.

Be Present at the school when Little League is in session: rom 9am to noon.Work with AMSOC Oce on scheduling o playing elds and other related activities.

Organize the Season nale, including: BBQ or picnic, awards & shirts/caps.

In short, the Coordinator will make Little League happen for our member families and youngsters interested insports.

New Cultural Activities Group!Youre invited to Come, Join Us, the new cultural program of the

American Society. Due to the enormous diversity of culture in So Paulo,we have decided to have numerous informal cultural gatherings throughoutthe year: concerts in the park, museums, galleries and much much more.

So open your AmSoc emails that have the subject Come, Join Us andparticipate in a new cultural adventure.

Our hope is that through these informal gatherings, we become more ofa community, get to know each other better and appreciate the vast culturalriches that So Paulo has to offer. So...... Come, Join Us!


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2012 Forum 5

Consulate Corner:

Passport Renewal TipsWhether you are an American who is

settled in Brazil for the long term or area frequent traveler to the United Statesand back, its important to alwayskeep your passport up-to-date. Whilemost individuals remember to checktheir passport when planning a trip,we recommend that Americans livingoverseas always keep their passports

up-to-date as you never know when youmight have an urgent need to travel.

While adult passports are typicallyvalid for ten years, passports forminors under the age of 16 are onlyvalid for ve years due to how quicklychildren change in appearance. Sobefore planning that family vacation,remember to check both the adults andthe childrens passports. If you ndthat you need to renew your passporthere are some tips to make the processas smooth as possible.

All passport applications are byappointment only and can be madeonline at http://brazil.usembassy.gov/service.html Appointments areavailable during our public ofcehours which are Monday - Friday 8:30-11:30a.m and Monday, Wednesdayand Thursday afternoons from 2:00-3:30p.m. When scheduling anappointment, keep in mind that thetypical processing time for a fullvalidity passport is ten working daysas the passport is printed in the U.S.

and then sent to Sao Paulo. If yourpassport has been stolen or lost and/

or you have an urgent need to travel,email us at [email protected] or call us at 5186-7000 to inquireabout an emergency appointment andthe possibility of a limited validityemergency passport.

Procedures regarding passportdelivery have recently changed and ifyou would like your passport returned

by mail it is now necessary to bring aregistered mail envelope with sufcientBrazilian stamps with you to yourappointment. You do not need to bringa registration label - the label will beafxed to the envelope by the post ofceonce the Consulate returns it to them.The Brazilian post ofce (Correios)typically considers one passport to be70 grams which currently requires 4.95Reais worth of stamps. If you choosenot to have your passport delivered bymail, you or a representative can pick

the passport up at the Consulate duringour public ofce hours.

Remember also that you must comein person to renew your passport andfor children under the age of 16 it isrequired either that both parents bepresent or the absent parent mustprovide written notarized consent topassport issuance.

If you have any questions aboutpassport procedures, you can alwaysnd more information at http://brazil.usembassy.gov/service.html or by

email at [email protected] traveling!

By Amy Graddon

Fellowship Community ChurchThe Welcome Place since 1921

Phone (11) 3253-7609 www.fellowship.com.br

Sundays09:00 am - Walking in Faith Classes (English and Portuguese)

10:30 am Worship Service (English only)

06:00 pm Culto em portugus

Conveniently located on Rua Carlos Sampaio, 107 Bela Vista

Just a block and a half from the Brigadeiro Metro staon on the Avenida Paulista


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Forum June6

Dancing the Night Away(continued rom ront page)


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2010 Forum 72012

AlcoaAlscoAline FontaineAlissa SandersAmadeus

American AirlinesAmway do BrasilAnduba.comAspen Skiing CompanyAzul Linhas Areas BrasileirasBetth RipoliBistr CharlBges ConsultoresBuffet TorresCabotCarlos YamassakiCave Geisse ChampenoiseChapada Diamantina Resort

ChevroletCisa TradingCM.2 FisioterapiaCorpore e VitaDavid DalmauDJ MagooDra. Patricia de Luna/FamilyDentistryDominique BaechlerDUI RestauranteEspao RudEstncia Santa ClaraElevadores Otis

FalaPhoto PhotographyFigueira RubaiyatFillityFishbar & GastronomiaFogo de ChoFundio BalancinsGaleria Jacques ArdiesGaline SheetkoffGerson MendesGOL AirlinesGregory FinkGuarapiranga Golf & CountryClubHERSHEYS

Hotel EmilianoHotel Le RenardImperial Pilates StudioJair MendesJaragua Hotel Casino

Jean RosenthalJuma Amazon LodgeJuquehy Praia HotelKasa TorresLamiti RestaurantLa TartineLapinha SPALear CorporationLumix IluminaoMangelsMarcos ProenaMarriott Hotels & ResortsMDL Produes e Eventos

Michele NeyretNadja VenezianNespressoOpice BlumPaulo Van PoserPousada Canto do CamburiPorto RubaiyatPreldio JoiasPricewaterhouseCoopersQPosturaRelgios InvictaRomanticos ChalesSanto Claro Eco Resort

So Paulo Golf ClubSerasa ExperianSophie & Theos CupcakesSpa Med SorocabaStarbucksSwarovskiThe BarbizonThe GantUne Fleur Dans La VilleWestin Snowmass ResortWhite & CaseWineproYoga FlowYusho Salon

Thank You to Our Sponsors

and DonorsAMSOC would like to thank all the businesses and individuals who helped makethe Gala event a resounding success. The evening would not have been possiblewithout their generosity.


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welcome us all to the event. In orderto not miss the opening ceremonies, wekindly request that you plan on gettingto the Consulate a few minutes earlierthan usual, since the procedure forentrance into the sporting compoundwill require extra time.

A typical Fourth of July lunch, thatwill be sure to appeal to all ages, will

be served after the opening ceremonyand will include our traditionalbarbeque hot dogs, hamburgers, xins,homemade salads and desserts. TheU.S. Marines will be serving beer andtheir wicked caipirinhas to help coverthe cost of the annual Marine Ball heldevery November in So Paulo.

During the day well be entertainedby the rocknroll band, Alex Valenziand the Hideaway Cats. Hes got afabulous array of songs that appeal toone and all. We have also planned on

several adult and children activitiesmonitored by the Curumim partyorganizers. It will include activitiessuch as tennis, soccer goal kicking,trampoline, tug-o-war, giant blow-upslide, face-painting, three legged races,etc.

Heres what you have to do participate inthis important and entertaining event:

1. Call the American SocietyOfce at 5182-2074 First-come rst-serve basis no later than 6/22/2012.

2. Be a member of American

Society If you arenot yet a member, ourofce will orient youon signing up on-line.You may also inviteyour friends to sign-up by clicking theJoin Now link onour site.

3. Make yourreservation Pleasefurnish names of all

attendees including babas, documentid, and age of all children.

4. Sign-up for salador dessert Traditionallyto make theevent as homeyas possible,

we ask eachfamily to bringalong a dish ofyour favoriterecipe toshare with allmembers. Our ofce will tell you whattype of dish we need at the time of yourreservation.

Since well be inside the Consulategates, well need to conform to thestrict security regulations, so if you

dont have a reservation you will not

be allowed past security. You willbe allowed to enter with cell phonesand cameras, but nothing that wouldnormally be considered a securityissue.

Heres what you have to do to enter theConsulate compound:

1. You must present a valid photo

id for each person attending the event.It can be a passport, RG, RNE, etc.

2. No cars will be allowed insidethe compound, but on Saturdays it iseasier to park and we will be making

arrangements with a parking lot forthose interested (more info will beposted on the AMSOC website).

Your Independence Day Committeeis working hard to ensure you have aGREAT picnic, so come prepared forgood food, good friends, and a fantastic

event. See you on Saturday June 30th!

Forum June8

Independence Day Celebration at the U.S.

Consulate

(continued rom ront page)


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2012 Forum 9

ByJohn Kennedy, AmSoc board member

Team Ressaca Grabs the Title at the AMSOC Adult

Basketball Tournament 2012

The American Society of So Paolohosted its annual Adult BasketballTournament on May 5th at the GradedSchool in Morumbi. Almost 50 peopleturned out, with six teams vying forrst place. It was an exciting day ofbasketball, complete with demanding5-on-5 full-court version games that

lasted nearly a half hour, and leaguereferees calling fouls and controllingsubstitutions. The champions wereTeam Ressaca, led by AMSOCsLittle League Basketball coach, DavidOwens.

The round robin tournament wasstarted by separating the six teams intotwo groups. Each team in the groupsplayed each other; the winners werethen pitted against the second placeteam of the other group. The third-place teams were eliminated.

The 5-man American Society teamplayed very well with no substitutionsin their rst two games, beating the

teachers from Chapel(49-22) and thenPACA (38-29). Butthe ve pairs of tiredlegs were no matchfor the deep and restedTeam Ressaca, whicheliminated the AMSOC

team in the playoffs.Last years

champions, theCougars, played wellin their rst game bybeating Team Ressaca(41-34), but they wereno match for a resurgentPACA squad that came back strongafter their rst round loss to AMSOCto beat the Cougars handily at 34-15.

The nal championship gamebetween PACA and Team Ressaca was

tense, with Ressacas David Owenssinking a 3-point shot in the nalsseconds to put the game into overtime.

The PACA team fought back hard,tying the score with a 3-point shot asthe overtime buzzer sounded. But indouble overtime, Team Ressacas bigcenter man was too much for the smaller

and scrappy PACA team, grabbing keyrebounds and making key shots downthe line.

ROUND ROBIN

Group A Group B

Cougars 41 PACA 29

Ressaca 34 AmSoc 38Cougars 26 Chapel 22GM 30 AmSoc 49GM 24 PACA 49Ressaca 34 Chapel 27

SEMIS FINAL

Cougars 15PACA 34 Ressaca OT 47

PACA 40Ressaca 24AmSoc 10


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Forum June10

Get Down to DowntownBy Ernest White II, Sta Writer

For many expats living and workingin So Paulo, daily work schedules,school and childrens activities, andsocial circles all orbit around thesouthwestern quarter of the city, in areaslike Morumbi, Itaim Bibi, and CampoBelo. With lifeand trafcbeing sohectic, who has time to venture intothe older, more central parts of thecity, especially with its reputation forsketchy, even unsafe neighborhoods?

But if you actually take the time to getto know So Paulos downtown area,you might nd many neighborhoodsare more chaotic than unsafe and offera wide range of cultural activities,stunning architecture, and plenty ofcharacter (and characters). And bestof all, with the newly-opened LinhaAmarela branch of the citys admittedlylimited, but clean and efcient, metrosystem, popping in and out of Centroon a Saturday or Sunday afternoon hasnever been easier.

One of the citys architecturalhighlights and an excellent introductionto central So Paulo is the MercadoMunicipal, also known as the Mercado.Built in 1933, this vast farmers marketfeatures fresh fruits and veggies, freshand cured meats and sh, jars of jamsand preserves, bags of coffee, spicesfrom around Brazil and the world, anda humongous mortadella sandwich, asseen on Anthony Bourdains popularNo Reservations. The Mercado is theperfect venue for people watching, or

to grab a couple of culinary souvenirsfor your next trip home.

Just a short walk away, exhilaratingRua 25 de Maro is the mother of allmothers of shopping streets. Everyday, hundreds of thousands of peopledescend on its eight city blocks to workand shop amongst its few thousandstores, which offer designer knock-offs, housewares, electronics, andother knick-knacks. The energy of allthat commerce is palpable and its justfun to stroll down the street with all theaction buzzing around you.

Not too far from that bit of controlledchaos is the Pateo do Collegio, the Jesuit

school situated on the point that the citywas founded in 1554. The unassumingwhitewashed building, rebuilt in the1950s in the style of the original, speaksto the history of the city as So Paulodos Campos de Piratininga, a RomanCatholic mission and educational centerfounded to convert the local Tupi-Guaran population to Christianity.

A few blocks away is the ornateCentro Cultural Banco do Brasil.

Housing the cultural arm of Brazilslargest bank, the CCBB features arevolving series of cutting-edge photoexhibitions, visual art presentations,artifact displays, stage plays, and lmcycles in a stunning edice, built in1927. And looming just over the tops ofthe surrounding highrises is the EdifcioAltino Arantes, So Paulos one-timetallest building, known popularly as theBanespo (named for its old tenant, thedefunct, state-owned Banco Banespa).Painstakingly constructed between

1939 and 1947, the building representsthe growing economic might of the cityand its 20th-century emergence as theNew York of Latin Americaindeedthe design of the structure is based onNew Yorks Empire State Building.Dont miss the spectacular 360-degreeview of the city from atop the towers33rd-oor observation deck!

Completing the circuit through thehistoric part of downtown, called S,is its eponymous showplace cathedral,the Catedral Metropolitana da S.

Construction began on the current neo-Gothic conguration in 1913, replacingthe originaland smallercolonialcathedral built way back in 1589, andtook over 50 years to complete. Toursof the cathedral are conducted everyday except Tuesdays and Sundays. Andjust a short walk away will lead you tothe modern CAIXA Cultural, similar toCCBB in that it is the cultural institute ofCAIXA Federal Econmico, featuringa constantly changing array of award-winning photo and art exhibitions, lmcycles, and other events.

Situated a kilometer or two northof the historic part of downtown is

Estao da Luz, a bright, neoclassicalrail depot rst opened in 1910, andits attendant museums, the engrossingMuseu da Lingua Portuguesa insidethe station itself, and the splendidPinacoteca do Estado across the way.The orange and yellow Estao isitself an architectural treasure, with animpressive bell tower and completelyrestored faade. Within the station, theMuseu da Lingua Portuguesa is the

worlds only museum dedicated to thePortuguese language. Through songand poetry, the interactive permanentexhibitions highlight the history ofthe language and how interaction withvarious cultures and languages aroundthe world have shaped it into therecognizably beautiful tongue spokenin various forms by over 200 millionpeople. The temporary exhibitionsfurther connect Brazils languageto its culture and people, throughexaminations of folkloric traditions of

the countrys Northeast, or homages toBrazilian literary greats like Machadode Assis.

Just across the street, at thegorgeously neoclassical Pinacotecado Estado, the works of classicalBrazilian artists share space with morecontemporary names. The buildingitself was constructed in 1897 as an artacademy and has been painstakinglyrestored to capture the essence of itshistory as a creative space.

Separating the two halves of

downtownS and Repblicafromone another is the Vale do Anhangaba.Once a free-owing stream, the valleystill retains an attractive bit of greenamidst the glass and concrete of thecity. Lording over the entire array is therecently renovated Theatro Municipal, astriking turn-of-last-century confectiondecorated with baroque ourishes,colorful stained glass windows, andhousing one of the citys two opera andsymphony halls (the other being thewarmly sophisticated Sala So Paulo,home of the state symphony orchestraand located inside the converted raildepot Estao Jlio Prestes).


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Forum June12

South America:

Traveling around the neighborhoodBy Melissa Harkin, AmSoc member

The continent of South Americacontains incredibly dynamic anddiverse culture and terrain. From thesnow-capped Andes to the AmazonRain Forest, active volcanoes, andalpine forests, travelers seekingadventure will have a once in a lifetime

experience. The diverse culture rangesfrom Indigenous peoples that stillfarm on the rural highlands like theirIncan ancestors to major internationalmetropolises.

Each country in South America isvery unique in its culture, people, andlandscape, but one thing is for certain:they each possess stunning scenery andtheir own natural wonders, some ofwhich have made them famous. Withthirteen countries it can be daunting todecide which one to visit. Every country

has distinct highlights, especially foroutdoor adventures.

After reading about each countryand depending on your particulartravel interests, youll be able to planyour perfect trip. Explore some of themost exciting and beautiful cities inSouth America, from the vibrant beachculture of Rio, to the lively tango-obsessed Buenos Aires, to the mysticCusco and its ancient Incan Empire.

Countries

Argentina is a huge country andcontains some of the worlds naturalwonders, from glaciers and volcanoes,to the Andes Mountains, and the IguazuFalls. Its European inuence can also befelt, especially in Buenos Aires, with itsParisian-like architecture and its manyoutdoor cafes. And the wine region ofMendoza is oenophiles paradise.

Many people are drawn to Brazil tosee one of its most beautiful cities:Rio de Janeiro. Set amongst beautifulwhite-sand beaches and forest-coveredmountains, it is a breathtaking site, not

to mention its famous lively nightlife.Brazil also contains some of the mostimportant ecosystems on the planet: theAmazon Rainforest, and the Pantanalswamplands.

Peru is famous for its Inca ruins, as

it was once the capital of the mightyempire, and is now the gateway to themysterious and captivating lost cities,including the unforgettable MachuPicchu. What makes these ruins evenmore breathtaking is the scenery theyare set amongst, such as lush cloudforests of the Andes, the Peruvianrainforest, and the Pacic coast.

Situated on the Pacic coast andon the edge of the Andean Mountains,Chiles natural landscape is breathtaking.

View snow-capped peaks from thepristine lakes of the Puerto MonttLake District, and the stunning Torresdel Paine mountain range in southernPatagonia.

Known more for its violence anddrug trade, Colombia is still one of themost beautiful countries in SouthAmerica. There are also many parts ofthe country which are perfectly safeto travel in. With the Andes stretchingover the west and the virgin beaches of

the Caribbean and Pacic coasts, thecountry has no shortage of stunninglandscape.

The fth largest country in SouthAmerica, Venezuela boasts some of themost beautiful natural wonders in theworld, including Angel Falls, the highestwaterfall in the world. Youll also ndlong stretches of pristine coastline,the rainforests of the Amazon, and themajestic Andean peaks.

Situated in between Argentina andBrazil, Uruguay is often over-lookedby most travelers, making it a great

destination if you are looking to gooff the beaten path. Some highlightsinclude the tranquil Atlantic coastline,quaint seaside villages, and the capitalMontevideo. Uruguay also has thereputation of being affordable andone of the safest countries in South

America.

For a more authentic trip, Paraguaywill take you to the most remote placesin all of South America. In the westyoull nd a rich agricultural region ofrolling hills, grasslands, and subtropicalrainforests. This is the heartland ofParaguay, with most of its economycoming from agriculture and the blackmarket.

Bolivia is a great place to see some of

the most extreme and diverse landscapein South America. From glacialpeaks to the high-altitude deserts ofthe Andes, to the steamy subtropicalrainforests of the Amazon, this largelyundiscovered country is also home toa large population from indigenousdescent.

Suriname, Guyana, and French Guinanaare perhaps three of the least visitedcountries in South America, butfeature large areas of unspoiled,

virgin rainforests. Ecotourism hasbeen booming recently, with manyopportunities to take guided toursthrough forests for excellent wildlifespotting, trekking, and rustic camping.

Best Cities

Buenos Aires ArgentinaArgentinas capital is one of the most

distinctive cities in South America.The inexpensive indulgences andEuropean-inuenced architecture willmake you think youve traveled backin time to 1920s Paris. Stroll down thewide, tree-lined avenues and relax at


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2012 Forum 13

the many cafes, and at night enjoy thebest tango shows in town.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Explore the most beautiful partsof Rio, including the CorcovadoMountain, Sugar Loaf Mountain, andthe Tijuca Forest, where youll get thechance to trek to the summit and see thefamous statue of Christ the Redeemer.Enjoy the scenic beaches, GuanabaraBay and the vibrant beach culture ofCopacabana. At night you can opt tosee a traditional samba show at one ofthe many nightclubs.

Cusco Peru

Cusco is Perus most popularattraction, and it is no wonder, sincethe city is set amidst the heart of theancient Inca Empire. Snow-cappedmountains, and the towering fortressof the ancient Sacsayhuaman surroundthis beautiful colonial city. Cusco isalso a great base for excursions to thesurrounding rainforests, whitewaterrafting trips, mountain biking, trekking,and mountain climbing.

Montevideo Uruguay

Montevideo, is located on the coastof the Atlantic, and is where nearly halfof the population resides. The alluringcoastline is one of the most beautifulon the continent, and since it is themain tourist destination, a travelercan get there easily with efcienttransportation on the inter-beach route(interbalnearia), which runs fromMontevideo to Chuy. You can y intoMontevideo, or you can take the morescenic route, a boat trip from BuenosAires on the River Plate. The best time

to visit is from September to April.

Ollaytantambo PeruThis village is located in the Sacred

Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley).It is also home to the most magnicentof the Inca ruins and where the Incaelite lived. Youll nd ancient irrigationsystems and a temple that was built forastronomical observation. Close byis the Pisac village where they havea handicrafts market every Sunday,Tuesday, and Thursday.

Puerto Varas ChileThis charming village just outside of

Puerto Montt and situated on the shoresof Lake Llanquihue is one of the mostpopular tourist spots in Chile. Enjoy thespectacular views of the Calvuco and

Osorno volcanoes and the surroundingforests. There are also manyopportunities for outdoor activities,including whitewater rafting, volcanoascents, y-shing, sea kayaking, boattrips, and hiking in one of the severalnational parks.

El Chalten ArgentinaLocated in Patagonia, El Chalten is

a great place to begin a mountain trek.It has been named the National HikingCapital because of the many hiking

and trekking opportunities, includingthe Torre and Fitz Roy summits and theViedma, Upsala, and Moyano glaciers.

Tiradentes BrazilFor a relaxing vacation and to get

away from it all, visit this colonialmining town situated just north of Rio.Stroll through the historic town andrelax in the cozy restaurants.

Colonia del Sacramento UruguayTravel back in time in this quaint

colonial town with cobblestone lanesand historic buildings reminiscentof Lisbon. This village is a favoriteamong Argentineans, who frequent thelong stretches of coastline.

General Inormation on South America

Natural Wonders:Angel Falls, Atacama Desert,

Avenue of the Volcanoes, GalapagosIslands, Guanaabara Bay, Iguazu Falls,Lake Titicaca, Orinoco Delta, Pantanal,

Amazon River, Tierra Del Fuego,Torres del Paine, Tungurahua Volcano,The Andes, Kaieteur Falls, PuraceNational Park, the Falkland Islands,Perito Moreno Glacier, PeninsulaValdes, Patagonia, the Darien Gap, LosLlanos, the Pantanal.

Ancient Ruins:Chan Chan, La Ciudad Perdida, El

Sipan, Ingapirca, Machu Picchu, NazcaLines, Pachacamac, San Agustin,Tiahuanaco,

Climate:Varies with altitude. Generally

temperate climates inland near themountains and hot temperatures nearthe coast and regions close to theequator.

Popular Activities:Trekking, mountaineering, rock

climbing, skiing, whitewater rafting,boating, shing, kayaking, mountainbiking, hang-gliding, scuba diving andsnorkeling, surng, eco-tours, tangodancing, dining, and nightlife.

Melissa Harkin runs a translationcompany called Melissa Harkin -Translations [email protected]

(11-8428-8714)


14/16

and personal care. No lonely kennel for him,

but our home and the freedom of a spaciousgarden. Fetch and carry service. English and

French spoken. Call Jean or Christiane at (11)

4661-1430 or (11) 7230-3369 or send an e-mail

to Jean. [email protected]. Embu Guau, SP.

For Sale - 2008 GM Zafira Expression

2.0 Flex engine automatic (mint condition),

ABS, airbag, alarm, on board computer, cruise

control, digital air conditioner, power steering,

antivandalism insullm protection. 7 seats,

78.000 KM, single owner, all maintenance done

at dealer, new brakes, tires, oil change with l-

ter, kept in covered garage. Price R$ 41.000,00.Please contact Eileen Tasso 11-5644-5482 (h)

American-Licensed Expat Psychologist

Richard Morhaime, Psy.D., offers skilled psy-

chotherapy for children and adults. He also pro-

vides complete diagnostic evaluations in Eng-

lish for children with academic or behavioral

difculties, featuring individualized recommen-

dations for school and home. For more infor-

mation, contact Dr. Morhaime at 5538-0099 or

9669-8057 or visit

www.expatpsychologist.com.br

American-Licensed Psychotherapist

In this busy and ever-changing world, people of-

ten feel stressed and overwhelmed with no place

to turn. Psychotherapy/counseling can provide a

safe place to receive professional guidance and

support. Brief or longer-term therapy offered

depending on your needs, goals and expecta-

tions. Services: individual, couples, child/ado-

lescent. Certied to conduct Adoption Home

Study for American Citizens. Contact: Pamela

Wax, MSW/LCSW at 5051-5988 or 9656-2106

or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Lo-

cated in Moema.

Portuguese Lessons

Portuguese Private Class for Foreigners, Ameri-

can Citizen teacher originally from Brazil with

large and special teaching technique. Also spe-

cialized on Executive Vocabulary and all the

necessary help for setting up in Brazil for for-

eign families as well. Please Call Marco Fer-

rera at 11-7646-3232 or check on Facebook.

Qualified Learning Specialist

Success in school leads to success in life. Ar-

eas of expertise include in-home support for

academics, behavior modication, and inten-sive preparation for SSAT, PSAT, SAT, TOEFL,

TOIEC, IGCSE, and IB Diploma Programme.

References furnished upon request. Dr. Wendy

M. Smith can be reached at: 3885.7256 [ofce]

or 9236.5267 [mobile].

Math and Science Tutor

Teacher with 25-plus years of experience, tu-

tors Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Science for

all levels, including but not limited to the IB,

IGCSE, SAT-I & II, ACT, AP and Brazilian ves-

tibular. Elementary and middle school students

are also welcome (all subjects). Currently St.Francis School, formerly Chapel and Graded.

Call Fernando Knijnik at (11) 9134-6700.

Selling Up

Go with a pro! We have been selling household

goods for families, individuals, and companies

for more than 20 years in So Paulo and Brasil-

ia for embassies. We have hundreds of prese-

lected clients wanting to buy from you, safe

and sound! Send an e-mail to meredithsales@

zaquie.com or [email protected] or call (11)

5908-1144 or (11) 7997-8808. Ask for Ms. Za-

quie Meredith.

Personal Trainer

I will come to your home, ofce, or workout fa-

cility and create an exercise/tness program tai-

lored to your health concerns, tness goals, and

schedule. For adults and children, individuals

or groups. Sessions in English, Spanish, or Por-

tuguese. For more information please contact

Daniela Franco at (11) 9739-6191 or dsf29@

hotmail.com.

Argos Dog Kennel

Traveling? What about your dog? Argos Kennel

Hotel could be his second home in the coun-

try. Food, water, and shelter with lots of love

classifieds

Forum June14

Housing

Vila Nova Conceio

So Paulos best place to live.

Near Ibirapuera Park. Modern building, with all

Sports facilities, heated swimming pool, gym,

play room, barbecue, multi purpose sports court.

Three bedrooms (1 suite), living room with ter-

race, complete kitchen,maids bedroom and

bath, big service area, two parking spaces. Fully

furnished,with all appliances. Call Ana Beatriz

or Eliane Phone (011) 3849.7085 or (011) 9626-

6229-mail to:

[email protected]

Looking for apartments

Looking for furnished, fully equipped apart-

ments in So Paulo. Offer management, pro-

motion, purchasing, remodeling and decoration

services for your property. We will rent your

at to foreign tourists & executives visiting the

city looking for alternative accommodations.

Highly experienced specialized international

group. Contact: Paola B. de Estrada 9210-

2201, [email protected] or www.apart-

mentssp.com

Vet Housecalls

Homevets offers veterinary services for Dogs,

Cats, Birds and exotic pets all in the comfort

of your own home. We provide examinations,

vaccinations, physical therapy, preventive care,

as well as quality care for sick animals. Vet-

erinary housecalls are more convenient for you

and more comfortable for your pets. Call us to-

day at 9667-0056 or [email protected]/ www.homevets.com.br

Interiors Rental Furniture

Quality and rened furniture rental for your

home away from home. We offer great variety!

A complete line of appliances, kitchen devices

and linen & towels. Complements such as rugs,

lamps and decor items. www.interiors.com.br

or [email protected] A classied o up to 350 characters costsR$60 or AmSoc members and R$80 or

non-members. To place a classied pleasecall (11) 5182-2074 rom 8:30 a.m. until1 p.m., or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Plac

ea

Classifed

Forum does not check all o the advertisersappearing in this newsletter. We urge youto use these services; however, thoroughlycheck prices and services prior to nalizingany service or purchase agreement.

A

Noteto

OurReaders

Services


15/16


Enjoyed this publication?

Become an American Society Member and get a

free Forum subscription!

For more than 60 years The American Society of So Paulo has worked to establish a strong

network for expats living and working in So Paulo. Join Today!!!

Visit our website at www.amsoc.com.br and fill in our on-line form

or call the AmSoc office at 5182-2074

2012 Forum 15

calendar

Learn more about this months AmSoc events (highlighted) at www.AmSoc.com.br.Important Dates: Corpus ChrIstI (Br), 12 ValentInesDay (Br), 17 Fathers Day (us)June 2012

2 Saturday Tennis Matches + Churrasco Come play tennis and enjoy a Brazilian barbecue! 10 am at So Paulo AthleticClub SPAC . Questions call John Kennedy: (11) 9951-9103

8, 9 and 1 0 From Friday toSunday

BMW Jazz Festival Starts at 8:30 pm at Via Funchal . To see the schedule: http://www.bmwjazzestival.com/ To buy your tickets you can go to Via Funchal or buyonline w ww.viaunchal.com.br

13 Wednesday INC Monthly Cofee & Red Rose Time: 8h30 - 11h00. Location: Emporio Santa Maria - Avenida Cidade Jardim,790. Please RSVP to: [email protected]

21 and 28 Thursday OSESP Season: Thomas Dausgaardconducts Johannes Brahms

Renowned or the rich intensity o his perormances, his prolic discographyand the remarkable results, Thomas Dausgaard conducts the great Germancomposer, Johannes Brahms with the OSESP chorus.

16 Wednesday INC Red Rose Time: 9h00 - 12h00. Location: Given upon RVSP. Please RSVP to [email protected]

20 Wednesday Symphony #9 - Beethoven Conducted by Joo Maurcio Galindo. One o the most celebrated symphonies,Beethovens # 9 is a must see.! At Sala So Paulo: Pa Julio Prestes, 16 - CamposElseos. 9 pm.

27 Wednesday INC Monthly Luncheon Time: 12h00 - 14h30. Date: Wednesday, 27th o June 2012. Location: To bedetermined. Please RSVP to [email protected]

30 Saturday Independence Day Party (July 4th) The July 4th Celebration comes early this year and is co-hosted by the AmericanConsulate! You cant miss it! At the consulate sporting area compound, 1pm.

Call us to make your reser vation: 5182-2074. For more inormation, see thearticle on page 8!

July 30 Monday Rudol Buchbinder One o the most renowned experts in Beethoven, Rudol Buchbinder comes toSo Paulo. At Sala So Paulo: Praa Julio Prestes, 16, at 9pm. To buy your ticketsyou can go to Sala So Paulo or Mozarteum Brasileiro (Av. Brig. Faria Lima, 1811- 5 andar - Cj 521, or buy online: www.ingressorapido.com.br.


16/16

As I sit and write this months column,a good friend of a good friend is packingup her house and her family in Bostonin preparation for a transfer to SaoPaulo. Another couple I recently met,Americans, are in the process of closingup their two-year-stint here to moveback to the New York City area. And myhusband and I are readying ourselves fora move in early June from one apartmentin Moema to another.

All this moving got me thinking aboutchange, whether its going to live in aforeign country, returning home aftera couple of years away, or just headingdown the block to a bigger place thatwill accommodate your growing family.Moving is never just about how far yougo its about letting go of the familiar,saying good-bye to one phase of your lifeand opening yourself to another.

For me, Im happy to be movingeveryone will now have their ownbedroom and my very active one-year-

old will have more outdoor space toplay in then hell know what to do with(at least for the rst week, anyway). Butas the date gets nearer and the realitysinks in a little more, that old familiarbittersweetness (the same one that getsme teary when I hear Ill be home forChristmas) creeps in.

You see my current apartment, asmuch as it drives me crazy at times, isnot just an apartment; its a containerof incredible memories: The spot in theliving room where my newborn slept

in his Little Lamb swing for hours; theTV room where I sat night after nightintently trying to understand my rstBrazilian novela (thanks, Ti Ti Ti); andthe sound of my mothers voice from thekitchen, asking if I wanted tea, duringher visit here after the birth of my son.This apartment carries the many preciousmoments I spent being new to Sao Paulo,new to marriage and new to motherhood.

I know when I arrive in the next

apartment it will feel strange at rst,almost empty and Im not talking aboutfurniture. Ive moved more times that Icare to admit (mostly due to having beena restless twentysomething who somehowfelt the need to change apartments with thesame frequency that Lady Gaga changeshairstyles) and one thing Ive learned isthat it takes time to infuse a new placewith your spirit or your essence. Untilthen, you wake up sometimes in themorning wondering where you are. Orfeeling like youre wearing a skin that

just isnt quite right.The same holds true for moving to a

new neighborhood, even if its within thesame city. I remember crying in a taxiride south down the FDR Drive in NewYork City when I made the move fromManhattan to Brooklyn. I felt like I wasbeing banished from my beloved island,and as I looked out the taxi window to thestreets around my new abode, it all felt sounfamiliar.

I had a similar experience when lookingfor apartments my rst weekend after

arriving in Sao Paulo. When my husband,who has lived in this city for most of hislife, asked me what neighborhoods Iwanted to live, the tears came again. Howwas I to know? It all seemed so strangeto me I couldnt imagine that it wouldever feel familiar (and yes I did sob thosesentiments to him, rather dramatically Imight add, though looking back, I blamethat one on the pregnancy hormones).

What I didnt know then was that just

like moving to a new home, we eventuallyinfuse our new neighborhood, our newcity, even our new country with our spirit.And undoubtedly its spirit lls us as well.Maybe its the friendly people at the localpadaria, or the way the sunlight hits ajasmine tree in our neighbors yard, orjust a kindly older gentleman who alwayssays hello when we pass him on our dailyafternoon stroll. Whatever it is, we can besure that a new place will one day feelfamiliar. And maybe, if were lucky, willvery much feel like home.

My father always used to tell me whenI was in high school that the only constantin life is change (though some of youmay want to add death and taxes to thatlist). As usual, he was right and I ndtheres no greater reminder of that thanwhen we move. Moving reminds us thattry as we might, we cant make thingslast forever. Life keeps moving forward,whether we like it or not, calling us to ournext adventure.

No Place Like HomeByMaureen Kennedy Alves

amsoc forum june 2012

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