Rafael

Rafael of Palmares lights up our day once a year when we go into his office in the centre of Rio and pay our condominium fee in advance - usually, as today, 13 months worth to ensure we are back before the funds run dry. We've brought him CDs of Scottish folk music and shortbread over the years as well as sharing pictures of his growing boys. After we immersed ourselves in the unique Brazilian/Rio Centre Happy Hour in narrow streets with people stoping for a beer or two on the way home and, today, Secret Santa exchanges.