History of Brazil

Ouro Preto was the Portugese capital of Brazil in Minas Gerais (means something like general mine) before the 1800's mainly due to the gold and other minerals. So what do you do on the weekend if you are hanging out in Belo Horizonte, which is about a 2 hour drive away? Of course, you drive to Ouro Preto. What do you do in Ouro Preto?

Not specifically in the order of these pics - you meet new people at the local music festival, like this French guy (in the middle with the Brazilian flag as a scarf, but we can't recall his name) who is studying in Brazil.

You also tour the city - here Didier and I are standing on the terrace at the old council chambers above the square where the body of one of the first revolutionaries (a dentist nicknamed the "teethpuller") was hanged and drawn/quartered by the Portugese ruling elite for plotting a rebellion. Someone snitched... Perhaps if the Portugese had taken the Ulysses journey, they might still rule (or should we say lead) Brazil. There's something to say about leading by tyranny versus leading with an open mind and open heart, doing the right thing, and inspiring others (like the locals as well as the former slaves).

This is another vista of the hilly Ouro Preto. You might notice a few other churches in the pic.

One of the 12 or so baroque (mis-spelled?) style churches built by the slaves of wealthy families in Ouro Preto, who competed with one another for the "best" church. Each wealthy family used their own church within the town, had their own priest, and buried their dead within the church.

Who are these guys and what are they doing at a Brazilian restaurant in Ouro Preto?

The music festival, playing some Brazilian music.

Bye...