Big Bucks in Brazil
About three years ago I was lucky enough to take a trip to Brazil with a couple of friends, but only for about nine days. Nine days is nothing in this country, just a peak in the travel brochure. I am so excited to be back here for a month to experience this country in more depth.
My excitement soon turned to fear when I saw the prices. Travelers I have met on the way here tried to warn me with statements like: “I found the whole of Brazil expensive” and “It’s alarmingly expensive–I was just shocked.” I figured they were just looking to find $13 rooms like most other parts of South America. I was wrong.
Last time here, we stayed in a five-star hotel on the beach and my share cost less than $200 total for the entire stay. The same hotel costs nearly that much for a single night now! I know the dollar is worth half of what it was just three years ago (all those damn Canadian travelers just love to remind me of that), but something more must be going on here.
Indeed something is. The Brazilian economy has been on a tear in the last three years. Brazil took a different path after the oil crisis in the 1970’s and began to pursue an alternative. The results are paying off now.
Almost all the new cars sold here run Flex-fuel (gas, ethanol, or both) and cost no more than other cars. Oil and gas reserves have been discovered in the southern part of the county and the plan is to be independent of foreign fossil fuels in less than 10 years. Ahem.. let me repeat that: Alternative energy cars for the same price as ordinary cars, and no foreign fuel sources within 10 years.
I’m no economist and this may be only one piece of the financial puzzle, but me thinks this puts Brazil in a position to kick much financial backside. The rest of the world could learn a big lesson here–especially the US.
The technology is here now. Am I the only one frustrated and confused at the hemming and hawing from the powers that be over alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles? You’d think we’re asking them to build everyone a time machine–for cheap.
Oh right, this blog is about travel not politics. My apologies, but traveling and seeing this reality… I just had to share.
I’m enjoying my time here to the fullest… with the dollar constantly dropping and Brazil on the right path I don’t know if I’ll be ever be able to come back.
