Fortaleza, Brazil

February 22, 2008

I think I have been in Brazil too long...these cities are all beginning to look alike. It is now four days later and I am sitting down to write about Fortaleza and I am drawing a blank on what I saw and did! When I read the “write-up” in the brochure I am reminded of the Cathedral we saw and a few other sites...but I must honestly admit that many of these cities in Brazil are indeed looking alike. And, unfortunately, the sad truth is...they are not comfortable to be in. The petty thievery is rampant and therefore makes one very uncomfortable visiting them.

We have been warned by the ship’s port lecturer over and over again that we have to be on the lookout for pick pockets and hoodlums. I, of course, am accustomed to some of this having traveled in many “developing” countries...however, somehow here it is different. The thieves are more forceful and they are more of them! It is a shame, because Brazil is a fascinating country with the thirteenth largest economy in the world. Why then must there be so many slums? So many thieves?

Sadly with each city we have visited we hear of more and more incidents of muggings. One of the ship’s photographers was mugged on the beaches in Rio, robbed of his camera in open daylight surrounded by hundreds of people. The next city, he was struck again...the same guy....this time they ripped a cheap beaded necklace from his neck. Another passenger...a very nice man who suffers from MS and walks with a definite limp and a cane was accosted at knife point. When he foolishly resisted a bit they stabbed him resulting in a number of stitches and a near pass-out from shock. Unfortunately, because of tides and water levels, the shuttle to the tender was a 45 minute ride away and then there was a very “lumpy” and bumpy tender ride back to the ship...bleeding all the way! He is okay....but, like me, ready to leave Brazil.

I have had good days in Belem and today in Santarem where I took an long “river cruise” for piranha fishing and then swimming....both cities were enjoyable for me (however, it was in Belem that my friend was stabbed!) I think I will go to bed now and not write about these cities....I want to be rested and do them justice...both were good for me....so more to come on them later.

I know that the vast majority of the people of Brazil are wonderful, hard-working people who are as disgusted as I am with the few of their fellow countrymen who are perpetrating all these crimes. Brazil is a great place....it just needs to someway somehow clean up it’s act!