I found today's (September 11) article in the New York Times intriguing in how it details the economic woes of Brazil and the political mis-steps. I had no idea the Brazilian national development bank had loaned out more money than the World Bank.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/world/americas/brazils-economic-crisis-intensifies-raising-pressure-on-president.html?ref=world&_r=0

Thanks. Way better than the Rio Times puff pieces.

Thought an update might be in order for the current situation. Two days ago rhe letter carriers strike ended after twenty days without mail delivery. 20 Fucking Days!!!!

I had been thinking that it had been a bit since the bank tellers went on strike once again. Signs were up yesterday in downtown Rio announcing a strike date for this Tuesday.

What is the expression? When it rains, it pours?

And I still have yet to receive my new debit card sent fromy US-based bank on 12 August. My caseiro needed to go into the city to the headquarters of Itaú to get his new debit/credit card due to the strike after a three week wait. Even corporate inter-agency mail is a failure here.