I was in the United States when George W was elected the president. I was in California when Arnold was voted for the governor. Guess the rest? I became interested in the works of Mike Moore and the critics of "laissez-faire" economics. The last few years, I spent, perhaps, too much time talking with the opposition.

Fortunately, a development bank hired me to do some research in Brazil. I went inside, to the institutions claimed to rob the poor, create modern slavery, pollution and inequality, and replace traditional values with cheap brand images. Sorry, those arguments are too complex to verify. In fact, what I saw in Brazil was like southern Europe maybe ten or twenty years ago. I believe in individual choice. The people there have more to choose from than some twenty years ago. Much more than anti-globalization activists claim. Without globalization, most likely, their opportunity palette would be scarce in colors.

Well, maybe Brazil is different. It is the richest country in the region. And besides, we visited just the richest cities. Check the pics below:

Abe Lincoln of Americas sits in that tomb.


Does somebody pay Osama any licensing fees from using his brand?


Those captured are marked with "gotcha". Fight fire with fire!


Just think of the guy in the house... Mixed feelings?


A happy iPod user has finally landed on Brasilia.


The planned capital with a row of government office building


I think this is the parliament's building.


Watching World Cup qualifications at a local bar; it's Peru - Brazil.


In the front of a local pub with Marko. Beer was sold outside for 2 reals (= 50 cents)


Enter São Paulo. We spent there one day, most of the time in a taxi, stuck in the traffic jam.


Some people do run there. Maybe the pollution talk is just crap, right?


Spot a local VW and a mexican Alfredo in the same pic.


To the next city, some people had just too many flights...


But email worked everywhere, most hotels had free connections in every room.


Our big night was Brazil - Uruguay in Curitiba. Just remember: Kaká, number 7.


Alfredo, warming up.


Alfredo with our most generous hosts: doc and his son.


BRASIIIIIIL!!!! (It was a good and tough game, which ended 3-3)


Tasting vermouth and whisky in a Porto Alegre supermarket...


Brand recognition takes years to build... and crack.


Porto Alegre marketplace near bus station. It says 37 degrees celcius!


On the way back to Finland I had a few hours stopover in Washington.