History of Fortaleza: Part Two (Parte Dois)

Brazilian History starts officially on April 22nd 1500, when Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral reached the coast of Bahia. Due to Ceará's poor soil that state was completely abandoned, leaving room for corsaries to become friends and do business with the local indians.

1612: Martins Soares Moreno, arrived in Ceará to fight the French and claim the lands for the Portuguese Crown; Soares Moreno won.
1649: the Dutch built another fort, by the banks of river Pajeú, and called it Fort Schoonenborch.
1654: the Dutch are expelled from Brazil; the Portuguese take Schoonenborch, and change its name to Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora de Assunção

A village grew around the Fortress, named Fortaleza. On April 13th 1726, Fortaleza became capital of Ceará.

FAST FORWARD.......

1930: in an reaction against the dominant oligarchies, Getúlio Vargas becomes President with dictatorial power
1952: President Vargas created a bank with headquarters in Fortaleza, to provide credit to new enterprises in the Northeast of Brazil.
1959: President Juscelino Kubitschek creates SUDENE, the Superintendence for Development of the Northeast, with the function of fostering projects of social interest.

During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, some industries flourished, like shoes, textile, food processing, agriculture, petroleum and other minerals. Ceará, however, remained as one of the States with poorest economy and worst social indicators.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Ceará (and Fortaleza in particular) found their true avocation: tourism. Word of mouth about the beautinesses of the State, along with marketing campaigns in Brazilian media turned Fortaleza into one of the most popular destinations in Brazil. Heavy investments, both private and official, improved the infrastructure of tourism.

Since the early 1990s, the successive governments have been recognized as ethical and efficient, improving social and economic indicators. Ceará today is a State with excellent perspectives.

Fortaleza Part 1

I leave in two weeks, seriously two weeks from today I will be on a plane headed for Dallas and then I board a different plane and head to Sao Paulo. So in honor of Brazil and the great adventure that lies ahead I am bringing you a 7 part series on Fortaleza and the wonders therein.

Part 1: Introduction
Fortaleza, the capital city of the State of Ceará, has been for decades one of the most popular destinations of Brazilian tourists. In recent years, the fame of Fortaleza has been gaining the world, and the number of Europeans, North and South Americans travellers coming to Cearás has grown fast.What attracts so many Brazilian and foreigners to Fortaleza? Rather than pointing out one single reason, it is safer to say that visitors are attracted by a combination of the sunny beaches, (can't swim) the busy and safe nightlife, (i'll be sleeping) the delicious culinary, the rich Brazilian culture, the very peaceful and friendly people. On top of that, it's worthy mentioning that Brazil is free from natural disasters, (can I get a hey oh?) and is a country with low cost of living.

Area: 313,8 Km2
Population: 2,332,657 (est. 2004 - source: Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). Including the cities in the metropolitan area.
Fortaleza has more 3,3 million people, making it the fifth largest metropolis in Brazil.
The following cities are included in the metropolitan area of Fortaleza (ordered by population): Fortaleza, Caucaia, Maracanaú, Maranguape, Aquiraz, Pacatuba, Pacajus, Horizonte, São Gonçalo do Amarante, Itatinga, Guaiúba and Chorozinho.

What a scam!

WHAT A SCAM!!!!!

So previously I had mentioned a car accident that I had gotten into, but luckily there was no damage and such. Well, things have changed! So today I got a call from my insurance company saying that a claim had been filed and the couple who I "hit" was saying that there was a scratch and maybe a dent on the car. I find this particularly frustrating because at the time of the accident they told me and my mom that there was no damage to the car. I quote the man “the car is good to go”. Hmmmm sounds to me like a scam. So, I called my individual agent and he was so great! I told him my name and he said he knew who I was and he said he was working on it. They were going to watch the case extra closely and that I had more important things to focus on. He told me that this happens all the time. What a frustrating line of work. He must hate people, but he was so kind to me and today I am grateful for insurance. When the accident occurred I did not want to call the police because I thought I would get a ticket but the man I hit was very adamant about calling the police. Well I did not get a ticket and this only secures that fact that there was no damage to the car. Thank you!

Also...the above picture does not resemble anything about my accident but it is humorous.

Marky Mark

So yesterday was the day. I can't believe my little brother Mark left on his mission. It was a good day but so sad! I was so emotional! I love Mark so much and it kills me to think I wont' see him for two years but I am so pleased with him. He has prepared so well and I can not wait to see what wonderful things he does in the Phillipines. I love this picture of Mark!

Dream a Dream

Last night I had the most odd dream. In my dream I was taking Mark to the MTC and for some reason it was just my Mom and I who were taking him. When we got to the MTC my mom was like "Well Kimber, lets drop you off too"! I wasn't ready. I didn't have all my clothes, I had not said goodbye to people, I had not even been set apart. Sure enough I found myself in the Provo MTC of all places and in my dream I hated it. The dream was so scary to me. I do not want to hate the MTC, that is why I have to be prepared. I am happy that my mom would not really just send me to the MTC, and I am glad that I have time to get more prepared.

My Farewell

My heart is so full right now. What a wonderful day! I feel such a love for everyone. I don't know why I have been so blessed. Today I have felt that I have had so much support throughout my whole life. It makes me think about all of the people who go on their missions without any support from their family. I talked to a friend today who said that her Dad kicked her out of the house when she put in her mission papers. My family and friends have been nothing but supportive. I love this gospel so much and I am sooooooo excited to go to Brazil to teach. I love the temple and the Book of Mormon.

Come What May and Love It

Things have really not been going my way. In regards to Elder Wirthlins talk I am trying to think "Come What May and Love it". It seems hard to LOVE what has happened but I am trying to laugh at it. Lets see....got a expired registration ticket, I had to replace my tires because they were going to blow up, got into a car accident, the internet was down at work for 5 hours and I was the only receptionist there so I had to fix it(( I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THAT STUFF!) ,We have family pictures tomorrow and I still don't know what I am going to wear, and my brakes just started giving out. WOW this is scattered and while it may sound like I am complaining I am really trying to write it down to laugh about it. What a crazy week! There is some silver lining in this of course. The Lord is on my side! I did not get a speeding ticket, my tire didn't blow up, there was absolutley no damage in my car accident and I did not get a ticket, and I got to leave work early on Friday. I am definitley being looked after!

Gotta tell the story of the car accident...

So Friday October 17 I was driving to take my car to get the brakes fixed because the people who had fixed them had put in a faulty part. I was driving on 1-15, I got off the 7200 exit and stopped behind a blue Hyundai Sonata. I was adjusting my radio when I hear a loud thud. My car had rear ended that blue Sonata. I honestly do not know what happened, did my brakes slip? Did I take my foot off the brake? We pull over and the man in that blue car gets out and I get out. He says very calmly " Why did you have to do this, we are on our way to our funeral." I think to myself it is not as if I did it on purpose. I apologized to him and explained the situation with my brakes. It very well could have been my fault and no fault of the brakes. I told him that we could exchange information and that way he could get on and go to his funeral. He seems okay with the idea and so I start writing stuff down, then his wife gets out of the car. He tells her to get back in the car. She screams....NO! She stomps over to me. She starts screaming at me.... YOU @$#%@.....HOW COULD YOU DO THIS? ETC ETC ETC....LOTS MORE EXPLATIVES.... I could not believe this.....It was an accident...things happen. I apologized probably a hundred times. She clearly was not willing to accept my apology. She told me to #$%@ and at that point I lost it. Those things were horrible and I started crying and shaking. She got back in her car and her husband said he wanted to call the police. I did not want them to call the police because I was fearful that I would receive a ticket, but he insisted and told me it was illegal not too. We waited for the police to come and again this woman got out of her car and stomped over to me and repeated everything that she had said before and more....so much more, and then got back in her car. A couple minutes later she got out of her car and walked over again. Not again I thought but she gave me some half hearted aThe highway patrol came. I told them that this family was on their way to a funeral and that I would stay as long as needed but it would be great if we could get them on their way. The highway patrol said this man worked for them so they could not stay so a different then a Midvale police officer came. I explained everything to them and again asked if this family could leave for their funeral. My mom was following a few minutes behind me to take me home after we dropped off the car. She came to the scene and talked to the man and asked him if there was any damage, he told her "there was no damage and that the car was good to go, but their necks hurt". What a load of crap! I was not going more than 2 mph and there was no paint exchanged. I filled out a police report and so did they. They claimed damage to their necks but they were denied medical. I did not get a ticket, and my sister says calling the police protects me so here's to an horrible experience.

Ode to the Candy Counter

I got to work today and found a mini milky way on my desk and I ate it. Yes it was not even nine yet but it was so delicious. As I bit into the creamy caramel and smooth nougat I was transported back to a simpler time. A time when I used to eat candy for breakfast all the time. I refer happily to that time as my candy time. I had an amazing job as a cashier, but not just any cashier, a candy cashier. I worked at the BYU Bookstore selling bulk candy. This job was more glamorous then it sounds. I loved this job for 6 reasons. 1.) Almost unlimited candy, if the candy fell on the counter we could not sell it so it became free game for the employees. Also, we had to give our customers opinions on the candy so we were required to try at least everything once. 2.)Awesome people. I loved my job because of the people I worked with, I can't tell you the countless hours of fun I had behind the counter, whether we were coming up with new names for the "tender hearts" or developing chocolate covered hot tamales it was a blast! 3.) Provo Celebrities: So maybe these people aren't even D-list but their visits always brought excitement. B-money, Mr. Cinnabunny, Sister and who can forget the sweet and charming Joe. I think he asked every girl to be his girlfriend. Elder Cecil O. Samuelson came too but I am not sure what category he falls into. 5.) BYU football Players, notice that I didn't include them in the Provo celebrity category because they are more to me! I met Bryan Kehl, Ryan Neely, Brett Denney, Wayne Latu, and I will never forget the day when Fui Vakapuna bought wax lips. Maybe the best day of my life! 6.) Did I mention the free candy? Seriously, my favorite job ever and that is quite an accomplishment because I have had ALOT of jobs! So, even though my job earned me the undeserved title of the "candy Slut" (a story for another post) I will never forget you candy counter and will think of you every time I bite into a sweet confection.

Football Game

After two complete shut outs by my # 8 BYU Cougars a few members of my family decided to take a trip to Logan to watch the Cougars maul the aggies. It was such an adventure! I was following Bryan and Emily to Ogden but somehwere around Layton they called me to say that they forgot the tickets and they were going to turn around and go back to Spanish Fork. Luckily we called the BYU ticket office to see if they could just reprint our tickets at the stadium and surprisingly they were SO helpful! In all my past experience with the BYU ticket office they have been rude and very frustrating but Saturday they were extremely helpful. Halfway through my conversation with them my phone starts beeping at me telling me it is going to die. Why is it that my phone always dies at the most inconvienent times? I ran into a motel and after some strange looks they let me use their plug. We finally got to Logan and got into the stadium with no hang ups. After we walked in Emily and I kept commenting on we felt like it was such a miracle to have made it in. The stadium was so fun and it reminded me of a High School Stadium in Texas. They just looked at our tickets and did not scan them in like all of the other stadiums I have been too. Well the game was so fun at first and then I started to feel a little bit bad for Utah State, but then BYU played the worst that I have ever seen, ( my little brother Mark said that I should be grateful that I didn't know the Crowton Era). Pretty incredible that we can play that poorly and still win by 20 points. It was a fun game at the end with all the fans around us going crazy and I even ran into Reno Mahe. I was surprised to see that we didn't drop in the polls.

More than Words

It is really happening. I am really going on a mission. I went through the Jordan River Temple last Saturday and took out my endowments. It was a wonderful experience especially to have Mark, my younger brother, there. Up till this point the fact that I have been going on a mission has seemed so unreal. Brazil, Mission, 18 months, have all seemed like words to me. I guess it is starting to sink in a little more fully now which is good because I am leaving in a little over a month. Um Woah Crazy! Mark leaves even sooner then me. Our farewell is October 19 at 9:00 a.m. in South Jordan for any one who wants to attend.