[Rhodes22-list] South America

[Lloyd Crowther]

Steve,

I did the route survey through Matto Grosso to Porto Vello (the port at the
headwater for Amazon River Navigation) in 1965, quite a while ago now.  Was
the first American in that area in several years.  Of a party of about 75 I
was the only non-Brazil guy, and consequently the big squeeze, in that
original route investigation.  I'll try to send you a little background at
salm at mn.rr.com tomorrow but its beddy-bye for me right now.

Lloyd

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Alm" <salm at mn.rr.com>
To: "Rhodes" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 8:23 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] South America


> Hello Lloyd,
>
> In a recent post, you mentioned you did some work in South America--as
well
> as many far-off places elsewhere--sounds fascinating!  I love collecting
> stories and info from people like yourself who have traveled the world,
and
> I'm especially interested in Brazil.  Mary Ann and I are planning our next
> visit to Brazil in June and I was just wondering what comments you might
> share of your experience, if any.
>
> You didn't mention Brazil specifically, but you said you've worked in the
> area of "dirt roads"  and I'm just curious.  We may find ourselves
investing
> in some business ventures with some of our close Brazilian friends who
have
> been building a growing import/export business in honey and limestone.  I
> know--that's a funny combination, but it is what it is.  When we make our
> trip in June, we plan to visit the Brazilian interior and see the
limestone
> quarry and hopefully the honey facilities as well.  One of the big issues
> we're dealing with is the sorry state of the roads.  It's pretty damn hard
> to get out there!  Not just the roads, but also the Banditos--but that's
> another issue.  It's really the wild, wild west out there.
>
> Brazil also has a growing soy bean industry that's fast surpassing the US!
> The main hindrance is transportation across the hundreds of miles of dirt
> roads.  In the state of Matto Grosso, (central Brazil) they're trucking
the
> soy beans to an Amazon River port many miles to the north.  From there,
once
> they hit the water, it's no problem.  They ship out the river, up through
> the Panama Canal and across to China--their biggest buyer--ours too, I
> think.
>
> I was just wondering if you've worked in Brazil and care to share any
> thoughts.
>
> Muinto Obrigado,
> Esteban
>
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