Should I say this is a tentative new schedule..

One thing is for sure, the pop-astrology 'Mercury retrograde' thing is over. I don't really go for that stuff. My inclination is towards facts, mostly science and history . However, I'm always fascinated with Greek mythology. Mercury is roman name for the Greek god Hermes; not the ultra expensive - once fabricator of horse saddles - uber decadent boutique, but "The guardian of the Journey, Messenger of Zeus". I consider myself a journeyer, the trip and the adventures I shall experience are what matter most. I'm also rationalizing the oversight about the entry visa pooh-pooh. I'm so traumatized by it that I've not had a good night's sleep since. I wake up breathless, at around 5 a.m. every morning to a dream about a plan, which after all my good intentions, culminates in frustration and disapointment. Later, I have headaches due to sleep deprivation. Having said that, I'm outlining once again what I hope to be our road-trip to Brazil. This time I hope Zeus, the guardian of travelers, is on my side, plus I don't think I'm overlooking any details..

Monday, May 1 to Thurs., May 4
We arrive in Rio Monday afternoon and head to our beach front hotel the "Lancaster Othon". We'll begin our road-trip on the 4th. In between then, we'll spend time with my son and his beautiful family, walking on the beach, visiting museums and getting tattooed! We've decided to get a "Brazilian Indian" style mermaid. Her name means a sort of indigenous mermaid in the Brazilian Indian language Tupi-Guaraní.

May 4th and 5th-
Road-trip starts heading towards Visconde de Mauá and Bocaina de Minas. We will stay at the Fazenda Rio das Pedras (horses are included with the room) initially and other places (t.b.d.) along the way..

May 6th and 7th
Our journey continues towards Belo Horizonte through the cities that were part of the Royal Pathway of brazilian Gold during the colonial and imperial periods. São João del Rey, Tiradentes, Ouro Preto and Congonhas. We will rest our bodies at the Morada do Sol in São João del Rey. On the 7th, we pass through the Fazenda da Cachoeira, one of the properties we are looking at on this trip. We will go to BH from there.

May 8th to 10th
Arriving in Belo Horizonte, we will be guests at our most delightful friends house. Raimundo and Naiara. It's also were he breeds some champion Brazilian Cattle Dogs from the General Mines (Gameleira Vagalume dos Tabayara - R.I.P.), the Canil Gameleira. We intend to visit other good friends, such as José Edmar, Luciano and Paulinho da Pedra.
José Edmar is a well known Brazilian Cattle Dog from the General Mines breeder and has a wonderful cattle farm in Moeda, a quaint small town 50 minutes away from Belo Horizonte.
We will also be checking out property in that location.
Luciano is an exotic bird breeder - one of the only people in Brazil allowed to breed a certain endangered species of native singing bird, on his spare time he practices law.
Paulinho da Pedra is a Campolina horse and mule breeder. He owns an amazing farm near BH. And he is one of the most impressive horse handlers I've ever met.

May 11th to 12th
Following the recommendation of my botanist/naturalist/bird breeder/lawyer friend Luciano, we are headed out to the Serra do Cipó. 100 kms away from BH, it is one of the world's ecological landmarks, which houses unique flora and fauna. Our home there will be at the Pousada Capim Santo. It is another area of property interest.

May 13th
Its back to Rio de Janeiro but this time passing through the "Spring Water Circuit".
Small towns like Caxambú, São Lourenço, Itanhandú and others, which produce Brasil's most famous natural spring bottled waters. A region where many beautiful properties are available. Also, a pit-stop at the Canil Alto Quatis, they will be hosting a CAFIB expo on the 27th which I will miss...

May 14 and 15
Mother's day extravaganza week-end! And back to L.A.

Thursday we're picking up Alex's passport at the Brazilian Consulate General. Hopefully our plans will become a reality. Meanwhile, I've updated the inks list with more goodies about Brazil, including a streaming radio station which I'm listening to as I write.