Machado. The government of Minas Gerais, along with partners at each location, has developed Centers for Excellence in Coffee (Centro de Excelencia do Cafe) around Minas Gerais. The purpose of these centers is to host training seminars and eventually conduct research relating to coffee quality. This particular center was opened on March 23, 2006, however [...]
Tres Pontas. This town is the heart of coffee country. Real estate can be purchased here with payment in bags of coffee. It is also the home to one of Brazil’s greatest musicians, Milton Nascimento. Nascimento, or “Bituca” as he is known here, was born in Rio De Janeiro and his [...]
Varginha. In 1996 three teenager girls purportedly saw an ET in Varginha and somehow this turned into an “incident” and this “incident” turned into a major marketing campaign for the city (and, as you can tell by the photo, for the amiable aliens as well). So here you have it, yours truly with [...]
Belo Horizonte. I was fortunate enough to meet with Aecio Neves, Governor of Minas Gerais . Aecio is an extremely popular governor (he was reelected in 2006 with 77% of the vote) and is a likely 2010 presidential candidate. Both his grandfather, Tancredo Neves, and his predecessor as governor, Itamar Franco, achieved Brazil’s [...]
Patrocinio. I was a little under the weather this evening; the immune system a little worn down due to travel and lack of sleep. Akio recommended four things that I have taken upon myself to dub “Akio’s 4 C’s.” They are Vitamina C, Canja (Chicken Soup), Cachaca, e Cama (Bed). The canja [...]
