Kaptein Caprivi blogs…

So yesterday was my first day at work, and I obviously had no idea where to go to. Fortunately, Filipo and Ty wrote down the address for me, so I was quite confident that I would get to work, despite a deep routed fear that I will get ripped off. Jacques and Leon suggested that I might as well buy my own Vaseline; as I would at least know what I am getting myself into.

Anyway, so I got into the taxi; showed the driver the address, and off we went to Abril. Abril is the Naspers of Brazil, and is also the reason why I am here. Naspers bought 30% of Abril, so we are helping them a little bit to realise their dreams. I was told that the taxi guys might try their luck, and take me on a joy ride. So, after about 40 minutes (and the meter showing R$45) we stop in front of a very industrial looking building. The taxi driver did not speak a word of English, but when I, quite aggressively, shove the directions under his nose, he realised that I did not come all the way from dark Africa to come visit a warehouse. I later found out that the building was actually the printing building of Abril. So, of we went again. After 2 minutes the driver switched of the meter, and I realised we were both in trouble. another 75 minutes of the worse traffic ever, and I made it to the building.

Sao Paulo is home to about 18 million people, which makes it the 3rd biggest city in the world. 3rd. Third. Dit is foking groot. There are 6 million cars in the city. Apparently there is some kind of system where, depending on the last number of you number plate and the day of the week, you might not be allowed to drive your car that day. So any day of the week there might be (give or take a few 100000 cars) a million cars stuck at home. Of course some people are now the proud owners of two cars, so that they can drive to work whenever they want to, and also screw the system whenever they want to.

So after 2 hours I get to work, and as organised beforehand, I phone Felippo on his cellphone. He agrees to come down to explain to the people at reception that I don’t speak a word of the language, but they have to let me into the building regardless. While I wait for him, a security guard decide that I look a bit rough, and he drags me to reception; only to be forced by him to speak to a women who doesn’t speak English either. After a few tense moments I see Andre (from MIH) walk through the front door, and he saves the day for me.

I meet everyone, and was blown away at the hospitality everyone shows me.

what a lovely country.

Brazil, obrigado.

Photos of my first trip to work is available at http://picasaweb.google.com/rohan.strydom/TaxiTripFirstDayToWork?authkey=3tbuLdAcybg.