The Polícia Federal building.
A building I know only too well and have visited it on numerous occasions. I spent most of last February visiting this building. When my Work-Visa is in order this January it will only be valid for this new year and I will have to go through it all over again in January 2008.
Outside of the police building many people are looking for your business. They charge a fee to help with documents. For those who can't read or write they will help them to fill out their forms. This man with his typewriters will fill out forms for a small fee. At the moment I have Thirty Two {32} documents for the Polícia Federal and am awaiting the three other documents that came from Ireland to be translated. All documents have to be officially notarised and witnessed.
Speaking of not being able to read or write. I wondered why many of the readers at our Masses were young people and few, if any, older people read at Mass. The answer is simply that a vast number of adults never went to school or had little schooling and therefore cannot read or write. Often it is the teenagers of the home who fill out forms etc. for the parents.
We met this man on the road. He is one of thousands here in São Paulo and other cities of Brazil who make their living from gathering recyclable rubbish. The carts move under the power of "man" not even "horse power!"
The good thing is that most motorists are respectfully and patient towards these men on the roads. I suppose they are thankful that it is not them.
When we were in the area, we put on our "Reporters Hat" and paid a visit to the old Jesuit Mission in "Carapicuíbe" where one of the Kiltegan priests worked and the "Africa Magazine" wanted a few pictures for their next edition. {You saw them here first!}
Church and square in "Carapicuíbe".
A view from inside the church of a lazy square on a hot afternoon, with the obligatory lazy dog. Its swummer here at the moment.
more on next blog........
