July 3rd and 4th

New Day

Day brought a bunch of new challenges. Luckily I resolved them and quickly.

First, I thought the girls were arriving today (July 1st). It turns out their flight is tonight. That threw me off bit. 

Finally, the Gabby and Carmencita arrive.

On the terrace.

Apartment and Internet

View from the terrace. 13 floors up!

On Monday, I moved into the apartment we rented. So I'm now on my own. Turns out it doesn't have internet. I didn't notice it on their internet posting. I certainly would not have rented it if I knew. The owner was very understanding and bought one of those wireless modems you plug in to the laptop, but I can't seem to configure it to work on the Mac. Took awhile, but I finally figured it out. Another problem fixed.

Cell System Issues

The biggest problem however is my cell is blocked from making and receiving calls. So I'm completely incommunicado. No telephone, no internet. This is worse then Morocco. I guess I have to start walking the streets looking for an open wifi network. The Brazilian government requires everyone to register their National Identity Number (like an SS number) for each telephone. I still haven't understood the answer everyone gives me. The say it's to help authorities to catch thieves if they rob you. 

How does that work?

If thieves rob you and take your telephone, I guess they can catch them from their location. That sounds bit like the NSA and data mining. The Brazilian government knows your every where about from the various cell towers. The USA doesn't even have that. Come to think about it, even the NSA data really doesn't know who doing the communicating, just the cell number and email address. A real terrorist operative can get access to that kind of information.

Turns out my passport number was enough. Later on, the Girls and I went to the beach. Later we all went out to Dinner.

At Dinner, first evening

Gabby on the beach.

Brand New Museum

I also Checked out this brand new Museum. CASA DAROS. It's the Brazilian branch of a giant Arts organization for Latin American Arts based in Zurich Switzerland. I'll go to an event celebrating Colombian rates magazines on July 4th.

July 4th

The girls went to the beach. I'll go to CASA DAROS.

Casa DAROS, part of the Zurich based arts organization.

View of courtyard of Rio's newest museum, Casa Daros

View at night from Apartment