It’s That Time of the Year

Editorial

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – December is always a busy month. Back home (at least in the U.S.) there is an endless flow of Holiday Parties, Christmas shopping, travel and other obligations – if you are lucky. Fortunately for most, outside the retail and hospitality business, it is also a time of paid vacation and happy hour half-days.

Here in Rio it is a bit different, it is not SOOO much Christmas on every television advertisement and store-window, and many expatriates clear out. The schools close, and most multinational and government employees take extended trips home leaving December feeling a bit slow, except for a few well timed parties.

Last week we published a couple articles about shopping and decorating for Christmas, and also an article about some family events. It is sad to say The American Society of Rio (AmSoc Rio) party was cancelled due to a lack of RSVPs.

It just goes to show how many expatriate families leave town for the Holidays. I’m on the Board of AmSoc Rio and wish I could have done more to make that party happen… but, there is always next year. If you are an American living in Rio you should also join, drink the Kool-Aid.

This week the young adults looking to let their hair down and kick their heels up have two nice events to choose from. There is an InterNations networking party on Thursday, and the more – purely recreational late night dance party by our resident Expat DJ crew – the Botafogo Social Club – throwing a party Saturday night.

Despite the holiday merry-making, the “news doesn’t stop” – and we’ll be publishing right through Christmas and New Years. Unfortunately we lost some of our key reporters to long trips home in December and January, so if anything it is a busier time than most.

But that’s okay, it’s that time of the year. Happy Holidays to everyone, get on that holiday decorating and make sure to swing by the Lagoa to see the tree.