>Hi, Chris.
>
>>>>Is it that Brazilians only care about football (soccer)
>
>Brazil is a HUGE country, with several different cultures within it, with all kinds of immigrants (Germany, Italians, Portugueses, etc...). You cannot take a brazilian opinion about something because that's not likely to express what a brazilian is.
>
>I can tell you: there's a lot of people in Brazil who just hate north-americans, because of a general picture that goes outside the US' borders. When I finally started living in the US, I was able to see that that picture is not accurate. Quite the opposite. Well, the same goes for Brazil: unfortunately, the picture from Brazil that goes worldwide is really different from reality.
>
>So, please, take care when talking so generally about people from a country, because that just messes things up. :)
>
>I hope you understand my point.

Claudio;

I have a friend who has gone to Brazil several times, by himself. He likes to hire an Indian Guide, get a dugout canoe and the two of them will travel the Amazon for about 3 months. My friend will take thousands of slides and I enjoy viewing them. Imagine being in the Amazon for three months? No radio, cell phone or distractions from civilization.

My mother in law was from Iquitos, Peru, gateway to the Amazon. Such an area! My father in law was from Cusco, Peru, and my wife was born in Ica, Peru, wine country! Just like our Napa Valley! My in laws families were from Zaragoza, Spain.

Growing up in San Francisco, California was a great experience. I got to meet so many people from other countries and cultures, from the time I was five years old. There is so much I learned from others and that is the most valuable experience of my life. You quickly learn that people are the same in so many ways.

What is most important is family! Governments interfere with the lives and relationships of people. The worst elements of life are nationalism, political ambition, ignorance, intolerance and religious zealots. You may add to my short list! :)

Tom