Stephen R A'Barrow

Author, Traveller and Historian

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What Next?

Stephen R A'Barrow

Jul 9, 2014
2 min

What Next?

The Brazilian nation is still in shock, as is much of the footballing world at all the records that were set with last nights simply stunning 7-1 German victory over Brazil. What should be highlighted is the great spirit in which the game was played and the amazing graciousness of many of Brazil`s fans and commentators, who not only started cheering German goals but as with Juninho called Germany`s performance `a victory for football. ` Brazilians lack of bombast and their ab

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Stephen R A'Barrow

Jul 6, 2014
3 min

TIME TO DO OR DIE!

Neymar and Thiago Silva out – what chance now for a team that has hardly shone thus far? Brazil are still favourites and playing at home. They have a good record against Germany. It all depends on how much the Germans want it, after having been come third in the last two world cups and making the semi finals for a record fourth time in a row. I`m glad Brazil have made it to the semi`s and into the last week of the tournament. It`s always good for the home team to get through

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BRAZIL READY, STEADY, GO!

Stephen R A'Barrow

Jul 1, 2014
2 min

BRAZIL READY, STEADY, GO!

Well the first few matches have kicked off without a stadium collapsing or the world ending, therefore so far so good. The opening ceremony, presented some comic moments but was more like watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on acid than Danny Boyle’s London 2012, with attendant ‘Umpa Lumpas’ and blue zombies from Omega man. Whoever decided to blow US$ 9 million on J-Lo and Pitbull, pissed that up the wall, as not only did the lift-thing that was supposed elevate them t

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Half way there and so far so good!

Stephen R A'Barrow

Jun 27, 2014
2 min

Half way there and so far so good!

One England fan carried a placard in Belo Horizonte after the England vs Costa Rica game that read “Cost of getting to Brazil £1,300, the cost of hotels and travel in Brazil £3,000, the cost of arriving in Brazil after your team have been eliminated PRICELESS!!! The Brazilian government estimates 600,000 foreign tourists have made the journey and that the 12 cities hosting the event will benefit to the tune of circa R$6.7 billion (£1.78 billion). That and condom sales are up,

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Tres Gringo Amigos, Brazilian Cab Drivers and a night courtesy of the Military Police

Stephen R A'Barrow

Jun 1, 2014
3 min

Tres Gringo Amigos, Brazilian Cab Drivers and a night courtesy of the Military Police

On my trip to Brazil I was on the look out for new stories to write about but not quite the kind of story that I`m going to recount here. After living, working and travelling around Brazil for over 20 years, in all of which time I`ve skirted, heard of and driven past close shaves, I finally came close to the very Megafugly side of life in Brazil. On a night on the town last week in a destination soon to host England fans I had a reunion with two American mates, both of whom h

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Order & Progress II

Stephen R A'Barrow

May 1, 2014
6 min

Order & Progress II

I`m returning to a theme, because on my last two return trips to Brazil I had to pass through customs and immigration not once but three times! When I asked the ladies at the immigration desk whether I was having to pass through immigration a second and third time because the great state of Minas Gerais (where I was headed) had ceded from the Union, I only received the dead pan expression of a semi trained automaton. What else might one expect from someone whose sole purpose

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'Order & Progress'; and the day to day grind

Stephen R A'Barrow

May 1, 2014
7 min

'Order & Progress'; and the day to day grind

When I first came to Brazil my limited amount of Portuguese led me to believe that the words on the Brazilian flag `Ordem e Progresso` meant `A Work in Progress.` That would have seemed an eminently plausible motif for a developing nation, or at least a testament towards a worthy aspiration. But I have since discovered that it actually literally translates as `Order and Progress;` two things, which having lived in Brazil for over five years are not attributes that I or anyone

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Stephen R A'Barrow

Apr 1, 2014
6 min

A Lamb to the Slaughter

This week saw another Gringo-Latina couple walk down the aisle. That makes seven, since my wife and I tied the knot. Female friends of my wife`s and male friends and colleagues of mine, who have all jumped without having to be pushed and none of the ladies were even up the dough! It appears Gringo lads and Latina lasses are a good combo, opposites attract and all that. No doubt Latin girls think their Gringo boyfriends will be better behaved (meaning they`ll be more likely ke

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