<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hi everybody, Just wanted to summarize the responses I got. I'm off to Brazil today & will write in some more things when I return . . . ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- I really had no trouble eating ... certainly no more than here in the US. I ate at some Fast Food place named Americas (in many shopping malls), the marvelous Brasilian Barbacoa (barbecue ... meat on the swords, etc), restaurant in my hotel, etc. Salad bars are plentiful with beautiful greens, cheeses, and melons. Stick with grilled chicken and fish and meat at the Barbacoa ... you will love it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- We used to live in Sao Paulo. If you eat at the Churrascarias, you will have PLENTY of meat to eat! They're basically serving you slices of different kinds of grilled meats. Wonderful. And remember, any time you are overseas, especially in South America, don't use ice cubes in your drinks (they usually serve the drinks chilled anyway) and don't eat the salads unless you are absolutely positive that the ingredients have been washed well (of course, THIS tip has nothing to do with Celiac disease, just staying away from those nasty microscopic amoebas and such). Pao de Queijo (translated "cheese bread", like Chebe bread here in the U.S.) SHOULD be safe according to the standard Brazilian recipe, BUT you need to ask the chef first to be sure that no variations were made. In South America, especially in Brazil, they have their own way of getting around obstacles or problems (called "jeitinho") so that's why you have to ask about the ingredients. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- I had NO PROBLEMS eating there. They have great barbecue places that you pay one price and get a HUGE selection of foods. If you like meat, this place is for you. But they also have big salad bars like I have never seen.They also serve manioc bread there which is gluten free. I would brush up up on how to say I AM ALLERGIC TO WHEAT in Portuguese if I were you just to be sure. If you cannot have milk, they have a great beverage in many stores that is a soy drink flavored with orange or strawberry. I had no problems eating there at all. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- get the water filter..then you don't have to worry at all..it makes mud potable. Bottled water is safe.."sem sal" is without salt..food canbe salty.... Is tourmaline mined in Brasil? Those are the best buys. You can also check out the Govern't store in Rio for unmounted stones..really the cheapest...Silver stuff is really great downthere... You will neet an adapter for electricity. Do not rely on room svc...stuff is usually awful...that's why I bring pb and tuna Bring powdered milk or sanipack milk.....watch our for Parmalatt..they use wheat to make it long life. In Bahia, there is a special show at Seneca, with a meal that is up on a roof top...shows the development of samba....really good and the view is not to bebelieved... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- On the way down...make sure you drink one 8oz bottle of water for each hour you are on the plane. I assume you are travelling Varig...they are good...just tell them what you need. Salvador is a GREAT city. My daughter was born there. If you rent DONNA FLOR AND HER TWO HUSBANDS, by Amado you will see how gorgeous that town is...it was modelled after Lisbon when it was built in the 15 C...overlooks a wonderful bay. If you get a change, rent Disney';s THE THREE CABALLEROS...it takes place in Baia....BTW, Not to worry about language..I used to tell my clients to take their hs French or Spanish and put a Samba to it...and you have Portuguese! True! There are bbq places everywhere called Churascarias..in fact my fav is in Bahia, right on the Atlantic...probably still there, altho I cannot remember the name..Lots of tours around...near the church of Sao Francisco is alovely shopping area...look at amethysts..very cheap...darker the better...buy begggars's necklases of various stones for a song...great gifts..get them restrung when you get back. Also in this area are lacemaking shops....gorgeous stuff..inexpensive Do try fresh cashew and caju juices...wonderful! nothing like here...To be on the safe side, bring a nasa approved water filter[they are smalland can be found at sporting or camping stores]...better to be safe. Brasil uses corn more than wheat incooking, esp in Bahia. The trick to not gettting sick and having toworship at the srhine of the white porcelain goddess to NOT TO CONSUME COW'S MILK...I got this tip from my dr who is from India and travels alot [he is vp of the World Homeopathic Association]...it;s not that the milk isnot good..it's a different butterfat. It really makes a difference. I always travel with the homeopathic remedy ARSENICUM ALB 30C for diarrhea...2 pillsunder the tongue as needed. Almost forgot thisone....take the pillow from the plane with you....their pillows in hotels are two inches flat. At the Bahia airport is a bookstores..get Brasilian cookbooks...desserts are usually gf.... When you leave you can get a tourist pkg of Melita coffee for very cheap....makes good presents, too. Bargain, Bargain, Bargain and then bargain more! great fun! for snacks...bring rice cakes and pb. along with protein bars. Breakfast in your hotel will knock your socks off..a huge buffet the length of the place...most of it gf, and there is usually someone there to make you omlettes...try the red papaya...juices are watery,tho..haven't figured out why...Bring Sun Block...and use it....sun is very strong and you can't find the stuff down there..they think itis unnatural. Let me know if you have any specific questions....oh yes, do not throw our any paper they give you at customs whenyou enter..you haveto turn them back when you leave....there is a good money exchange at Rio airport on lower level... Thanks everybody for your input! -Jeannie