Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, holds a unique spot in its allure to travelers worldwide. It is a destination of adventure, sensuality, mystique, pleasure, beaches, and the world-famous weeklong celebration of Carnaval, called by many as the world's largest annual party that culminates in the Sambadrome competition of twelve schools for the title of being recognized each year as the school that best exemplifies the heart and music of Brazil.

For many years Pancho dreamed of visiting "Rio" (as it is often referred to). On his "Bucket List" of world destinations to experience, high on the list was his desire to participate in the annual Carnaval festivity first hand. When the opportunity to do this presented itself, he quickly seized that opportunity even though he was seriously ill.

"Rio de Janeiro, The Spirit of Carnaval" recounts the day-by-day experiences of his trip from Los Angeles International Airport to Panama City, then connecting to Rio. Among the many experiences, he describes the culture shock of arrival in a foreign country and accommodations in Rio, the initial struggle to adapt to culinary differences and grocery shopping, public transportation, and the exhilaration of participating in the many street parades during the week of festivity. You will feel the rush of the hot weather reaching the top of the mountain to arrive at the giant statue of Christ (Cristo Redentor) and Sugarloaf Mountain. The author puts you, the reader, into the seat of viewing the intense Sambadrome competition that takes place over two nights with six schools each night.

Finally, returning home, the stopover in Panama City, visiting a centuries-old church (La Iglesia de Los Pobres), his horror in finding a 16th-century prison that has been converted into a restaurant and learning of pirate raids from those times for treasure, and observing a cargo ship coming through the Panama Canal.

There is an incredible amount of adventure in this book that will draw you in as the reader!

Formato	Tapa suave
Número de Páginas	112
Lenguaje	Inglés
Editorial	Franco Pancho Gonzales Publishing
Fecha de Publicación	2022-02-01
Dimensiones	9.0" x 6.0" x 0.23" pulgadas
Letra Grande	No
Con Ilustraciones	No

Frank Pancho Gonzales

Frank Pancho was born, raised, and educated in Southern California. He holds a B.A in Philosophy from St. John's Seminary College, Camarillo, CA, and a MBA from the University of Redlands, CA, as well as certificates in management courses from UCLA Extension and USC. Pancho began writing at an early age about his life's experiences, detailing positive and negative aspects of growing up. In middle management for 22 years at a major Southern California insurance company, he was sought as a guest speaker for in house and vendor conferences for his realistic, and often humorous, portrayal of workplace activities. Now retired, his award-winning writing and editing for the Coast Guard Auxiliary newsletter publications resulted in the Mike Marconi Award, a unique honor created for his work. His first book, Chronicles of a Fisherman, received many compliments from readers hungering for more of his fishing adventures. Pancho, as he is affectionately known by his many friends and acquaintances, is married, with four adult children and five grandchildren.