Uncontacted Indian Tribe Surfaces in the Amazon

Long before I ever moved to Brazil, I was in a relationship with a Brazilian anthropologist who, at the time, did a lot of field work with Brazil’s indigenous peoples. I remember being quite awestruck when he confessed to me that deep within the Brazilian Amazon there were “uncontacted” Indian groups that had never, ever been exposed to what we ambivalently (and somewhat optimistically) refer to as “civilization.” more >>

Best and Worst Brazilian Highways

Driving around Brazil’s highways and byways is not for the faint of heart. Although some estradas (Portuguese for roads) are top-of-the-line, others leave a lot to be desired. Torrential rains, scorching heat, floods and landslides, trucks and buses, all take their toll. Then there are the potholes (not to mention the craters), the absence of shoulders, the lack of clear signalization, not to mention Other Drivers; both the drunken and the daredevil variety are in high supply.

And yet, if you want to travel at your own rhythm throughout a specific state or region (renting a car is less advantageous in cities or for long transnational hauls), hitting tiny villages, secluded beaches, and natural attractions – some of which are poorly, or not at all, served by bus – a car is often the way to go provided you’re armed with a decent road map. more >>