Brazil not so tourist-friendly

[DavidMN]

The article below is about Brazil's new plan to fingerprint and photograph all international arrivals. This is a retalitory move - poking a finger in the eye of the Homeland Security Dept. - because we're about to do the same to all of our international visitors beginning January 5th.

The President of Brazil seems to enjoy irking the U.S. with his trade talk disruptions, cozying up to Castro, etc.
 
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/americas/7621675.htm

-David

[cancunhound]

... in response to Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by DavidMN on Jan 2, 2004

Well I guess judging from the below responses you should quit passing along helpful info!

I kind of respect Brazil on their hardline stance, but at the same time I have personally avoided visiting there soley because it would require a visa - sure it's easy to get one but it's the principle of the matter.  I don't mind the fingerprinting either, but it's comments like that one that one by the police official:

"Bruno Ramos, a spokesman for Federal Police in the capital city of Brasilia, said Friday that ''American citizens, when they come to Brazil, they get involved in trafficking of drugs, trafficking of women and bio-piracy,'' the theft of protected wildlife from the Amazon."

I can accomplish all of those things in Colombia and I don't need a visa

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to Brazil not U.S. tourist-friendly, posted by cancunhound on Jan 5, 2004

Its perfectly understandable that they ask for a visa. It is a reciprocal measure towards the USA which asks brazilians for a visa. Also, it keeps out the easily dismayed like yourself so that Brasil doesnt turn into another disneyland for american tourists. Not that they would ever let that happen.

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by DavidMN on Jan 2, 2004

Get a clue buddy...

[Cherinha]

... in response to Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by DavidMN on Jan 2, 2004

How to answer this post... hmmmm...

Well, I have a mountain of pride in my country USA.  I can not say that I agree with all the decisions of the presidents we have had, or the government's actions... (I know it's shocking... posters... but the USA is an amazing country... the best - in my opinion.. but .... BUT it is not perfect) and my heart lies now and forever in the red and white stripes and stars.  And I support my leaders, and country.  In fact, even living here (SP Brasil), I volunteer some of my time to help at the consulate, and support the marines that defend it here.

I am not aware of a country where all the people reflect ALL the decisions and atitudes of the president and government... are you?!?!  Yes there are always the percentage... which I do not spend time looking in newspapers, or articles to find.  Living in another country is an eye-opener. Experimenta!!!

The people here love their country and have pride in their people, rich culture, music, festivals, etc, but are also hurt by the corruption in the government, and some of the things the President says and does.  But they see the winds of change, and hope that this new direction will improve things here, which by the way already has.

Just remember you are not here to date the president of Brazil or Colombia, or the government.  It's the ladies that live in these amazing, wonderful, and troubled countries that you are looking for to spend your life with and be happy in love.  And YES.... for those that ask... the percentage is turning sharply... many I talk to DREAM of marrying and going to the USA to live...

Anyway... you are obviously here on this list because you have an interest in these wonderful latin woman AND have contributed.  And I appreciate you and all those that have... thank you.  Have a happy new year... Cheryl

[NightRaven]

... in response to Hmmmm......, posted by Cherinha on Jan 4, 2004

"I am not aware of a country where all the people reflect ALL the decisions and atitudes of the president and government... are you?!?! "

If you ever find one it may be time to start listening to the "Aliens among us" folk and or the "Govt is replacing us with robots" folk and or the "Mind control via drugged water supply" folk etc. But NO matter which you choose to listen to it is time to load the guns, cause it's gonna get ugly.

[DavidMN]

... in response to Hmmmm......, posted by Cherinha on Jan 4, 2004

[This message has been edited by DavidMN]

Thanks for the comments Cheryl. Very well put.

It was not my intent to pick on Brazil. I was merely making a remark that in our age of hyper-security and (sometimes) paranoia it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle to travel there. I think what Brazil is doing (photos and fingerprints) is kind of silly and the mayor of Rio agrees. But as the U.S. govt says, "Brazil is sovreign and can impose any visitor/immigration restrictions they wish."

Barring any future terrorist attacks approaching the scale of September 11th, it will be interesting to see if the stepped up security procedures in the U.S. and elsewhere remain in place. Already, one can find the occasional anecdote about a Canadian or European traveler who no longer wishes to visit or transfer planes in the U.S. because it's irritating and makes them feel like a common criminal.

On a related note, perhaps there will be an unintended positive consequence to all of this. If international travelers are going to have their photo and fingerprints taken and be grilled more thoroughly about their travel plans, maybe the sex tourism that plagues some areas of Asia and South America will decline...

-David

[bigbdm4]

... in response to Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by DavidMN on Jan 2, 2004

Brazil not tourist friendly?  That's a good one.  We all know that what the gringos do to the Brazilians, the Brazilians do it back to us.  Finger prints equals not tourist friendly?  What sort of logic is that?  Throw that bilge overboard and realize that us gringos are lionized in Brazil.  Did the Miami Harold mention that?  Do you always believe what you read in newspapers?  Did you know that the sky is falling?  Don't take it from me, chicken little swore it's true.      

If you want to find lame excuses for not realizing your dreams, of avoiding paradise, for placing blame on Brazil, I personally recommend what you hold inside of you, your own trepidations, your lack of understanding, no experiences in Brazil, your own gullibility at believing stuff you read, instead of seeing it for yourself.  

Go to Brazil, and only then can you come on this list and tell us how friendly or unfriendly it is there.  I go there every year, I own a business there.  I have been in a lot of countries, why do you all think I call Brazil paradise, married a wonderful girl from Sao Paulo, and will retire there pretty soon.  Go ahead and throw caution to the winds and take a wild guess why.    

Humph!

Big B          

[DavidMN]

... in response to Re: Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by bigbdm4 on Jan 3, 2004

Big B,

I'm not going to debate the merits or politics of Brazil vs. the U.S. vs. Timbuktu with you. I posted a link to a story that might be considered "general interest" for a traveler. Just so he/she knows to expect a little more delay and hassle than normal. It falls in the same category as Brazil charging a hundred bucks or so for a tourist visa for visitors from the U.S. when most other Latin American countries do not have similar requirements.

Sometimes I think you missed your calling in life. You have no idea where I've been, what I do, what I read, etc but that doesn't stop you from launching into your canned "missing dreams, paradise, Brazil, blah, blah, blah" speech. It reminds me of the old-fashioned carny (carnival) barkers. Yessirree, step right up and see the bearded ladies.

-David

[bigbdm4]

... in response to Re: Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by DavidMN on Jan 3, 2004

It wasn't the link you posted, it was the title of your posting.  OK, you got me, now that you have me selling tickets to the bearded lady, which I think is you, please set the record straight now and tell us all about your vast knowledge of Brazil.  Where and when, who and why, how, and all the rest.  We are biting our whiskers and twisting our finger nails in anticipation.  

OK, telling us all to expect delays and added expenses when traveling to Brazil is well received, but to call Brazil unfriendly to tourists is your own sucky opinion, don't you think that's a little too much?  I sure do.  What justification is there for that?  That is what I objected to.  And really, if you want to give us URL's about Brazil, you have to give us the real thing, instead of some ignorant gringo journalist, sitting in a cubical about as far from actual knowledge as Pluto, without the slightest clue about Brazil.  

Just for the record:

http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/br.html

That should keep you all occupied for a while, there must be a thousand links on that web site!

Here are some more:

http://www.brazilian-consulate.org/

http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/

Why take my word for it?  Why not have some fun, chat with an actual Brazilian!  I wonder how many on this list have ever even met a real live Brazilian.  Curiouser and curiouser.

This URL is correct and complete, with the "INDEX@@?" at the end.  That is part of the URL, just copy and paste for best results.  Over on the left, click on "Idiomas", which is where they chat in English, and select a room offering English.  You can chat in many different languages.

http://chat.terra.com.br:9781/@@INDEX@@?

Good luck!

Big B

[Locii]

... in response to Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by DavidMN on Jan 2, 2004

I must be really retarded, but I like to see stuff like this.  Homebaked Security is rather a joke, IMHO, and, like gun laws, only serve to hinder those who play by the rules.

I know quite a few people who have illegally walked across the Canadian border out towards Calgary way...there is nothing to stop them for endless miles of farm country.  Security my ass.

This is like the steel tarriff.  If/when other countries pile on, our crazy procedures will be watered down.

I tend to think of Lula as a godsend.  He routinely dissappoints the left as well as the right.  And he's obviously not as insane as Chavez.  If they are going to elect a lefty, he is the best kind of lefty to elect.

Ciao

[Miguel]

... in response to Re: Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by Locii on Jan 2, 2004

Hey, I guess we agree on something.  Look at what's happened to the stock market in Brazil since Lefty was elected.  And be it tariffs on steel or visas, it's refreshing to see a 3rd world country stand up put the same restrictions on the U.S. that some of the idiotic politicians in Washington have seen fit to place on the rest of the world.

[Wasp]

... in response to Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by DavidMN on Jan 2, 2004

A few weeks ago he was over in Syria with Assad issuing a statement calling for the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
Hey , this isn't the place to debate the war, and people can have honest disagreements with Bush, but I don't see Lula's stake in all this. Doesn't he have enough to occupy him trying to govern Brazil? It does seem he's on a mission to be a thorn in Bush's side. Is that wise? It's only a matter of time before they have another currency crisis and we have to bail them out.

[Bueller]

... in response to Re: Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by Wasp on Jan 2, 2004

As my Portuguese professor at the university commented when Lula was issuing statements against the Iraq war, there was (is) a war going on much closer to home that he should be focused on, in Rio. She wasn't necessarily defending Bush, just commenting on Lula's proirities.

[Bueller]

... in response to Brazil not so tourist-friendly, posted by DavidMN on Jan 2, 2004

The judge who made the decision raged that "I consider the act absolutely brutal, threatening human rights, violating human dignity, xenophobic and worthy of the worst horrors committed by the Nazis."

...so he wants to implement the same policy in Brazil. Perhaps instead he should get some medicine to treat the inflammation of his hyperbole gland.