FIPP2010 (Feira Internacional das Pedras Preciosas), August 24-28, 2010, Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais
Wow! Time sure is flying. Seems like only yesterday we were all biting our nails, down here, wondering how FIPP2009 was going to turn out, especially after the June gem show in Governador Valadares was cancelled suddenly just before the event.
Turns out that FIPP2009 was better than everyone's drastically lowered expectations.
News from dealers in Tucson is that sales were better than expected.
Posts
Hi Tenney
ReplyDeletethank you for your beautiful bloog
i want to ask you few question can i send you email & if yes what is your email.
Kind Regards
Havrham
You may send questions to apaixonada.por.rio@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCara Tenney,
ReplyDeleteApart from the gems and the august gem fair, is Teofilo Otoni a nice place to stay for a few days?
Me and family thinking about enyoy ourselves a few weeks in Brazil this summer.
Obrigado
Fernando, Spain
Hi, Fernando,
ReplyDeleteI think that during the gem fair, from my perspective, it would be nice to stay in Teófilo Otoni for two or three days.
But when I am there, I don't spend so much time at the fair as I do in the dealers' offices, or maybe having stones cut.
But, I have lived in Brazil for more than 12 years, so for me, it is nice to leave the interior of Bahia and go to Minas Gerais, where the food is different, etc.
In fact, I spend more time seeing old acquaintances.
When I compare Brazil to Spain, well, there is no comparison.
Things here are much simpler. Of course, there are wonderful beach resorts with great restaurants, but the fact is that the Brazilian politicians have let national treasures and landmarks fall into disrepair.
However, the famous city of Ouro Preto is not far from Teófilo Otoni. You could go to a pousada there and spend the day. There is one of the best exhibits in the world of mineral crystals.
For sight-seeing, Rio de Janeiro is the best of all. The famous beaches are not so great -- they are not so clean, not so safe, and not so beautiful. The pollution in the ocean is bad. The sea water is unsafe.
But of course there is the Sugar Loaf and the statue of Christ, and the view of the bays is amazing. I personally love Rio despite its flaws.
There are many resorts near Rio that are said to be fabulous.
But Teófilo Otoni is a small town.
If you could give me a little more information about your interests, then I could probably think of more things to tell you. If you need a guide to see the best and most honest gem dealers, you can always contact me.
Best regards,
Tenney
Teofilo Otoni is not a typical tourist spot. It's a typical Brazilian city, but does not offer any nice hotels or resorts to stay in. There are a lot of other places that would be a much better choice.
ReplyDeleteThe coast east of Teofilo Otoni is beautiful with many small towns that are tourist destinations. Except for the high season between Christmas and the end of January these places are great to visit and enjoy.
I have been to Teofilo Otoni and the other places many times.
Dear Peter,
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to recommend any spots along the coast that you are familiar with.
Also, if you know good ways to get from A to B, please let us know. I don't ever go to the coast, and it would be nice to try it for a change.
Tenney
Hi Tenney,
ReplyDeleteI liked your Blog very much!
I live in T.Otoni, and i had already worked
with precious stones...and worked in International fair in T.otoni and Governador Valadares.
It will be nice to have contact with u.
Me and Ad are following your blog now.
He lives in Holland and will be in the Fair in August in Teófilo Otoni.
Sálua
Please to visit my blog...
ReplyDeletewww.simplesmenteslua.blogspot.com
Dear Sálua,
ReplyDeleteHi! Sorry to take so long to reply. I am having a lot of medical exams this week, so it will be at least another week before I can spend some time here.
Back later,
Tenney
Does no matter.
ReplyDeleteDear Sálua,
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, the medical exams are real. I am an American and I do not invent excuses. (I have lived here in Brazil more than 12 years, so I know about invented excuses.)
I'll be back later. Tomorrow and Friday I have some serious exams. If everything goes ok, I will get back to gems next week.
Um grande abraço,
Tenney
Hi there.....
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog and thought I would write and say hi......I plan on visiting in Teofilo Otoni in Autumn and would be really grateful for some pointers, good place to stay, maybe something more traditional, guest house, b and b to the local way of life, great places to eat, things i must see whilst in the area.....would really like to experience the real brazil so the countryside is a must too. A sincere thanks in advance
Sam
Dear Sam,
ReplyDeletePlease contact me at my e-mail address:
gringagems@gmail.com
so we can discuss this in more detail, e.g., when will you arrive, how long will you stay (travel to Teófilo Otoni can eat up a day, depending on where you arrive), what level of accommodations you require.
If you plan to come during the Feira, then reservations must be made well in advance, um, like right now or yesterday.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Tenney
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteHi. Generally, I do not think it is a good idea to make comments about people and not use your real name.
Your accusation is a serious one, and perhaps this blog is not really the correct place to make such an accusation.
Also, while in the U.S. it is certainly possible to say almost anything on a blog, I would imagine that in Brazil it is not really ok. Libel and slander laws in Brazil are vastly different to those in the U.S.
For this reason, I am going to remove your comment -- this is for my own legal protection.
But thank you for commenting.
Sincerely,
Tenney
Dear Anon,
ReplyDeleteIf you would like to write about your experiences in doing business with dealers in Teofilo Otoni, then I would be happy to post your story on this blog.
However, probably, if you are saying good things about particular dealers, you could use their real names. But if you want to write something bad about a dealer, then it is best to use a fake name or no name.
But your story would be interesting because it would be a way to show inexperienced people how they must do everything to be very careful (and even experienced people).
My personal feeling is that most business in Teofilo Otoni should be conducted in a way to protect both parties, so that trust does not even become a factor.
I have only trusted 4 or 5 people in Teofilo Otoni, and so far 3 to 4 have disappointed me.
Buyer beware!
Sincerely,
Tenney
Hi Tenney
ReplyDeleteFor the most part dealers in Teofilo Otoni are exceptional people ;are honest , hard working and very knownledgable . The reason I have mentioned this individual "Romulo Lauar de Almeida" is simple to protect people like you and me .Mr Almeida is a very dishonest person he has defrauded people who have trusted him .Local dealers and people from the States have been cheatede out of thousand of dollares . Therefore my advice to you all is ... don't deal with him .In short, this comment would certainly protect people who deal in the area .
Jonas Edison
A lot of menus that a hotel can cater and serve.
ReplyDeletePousada Ubatuba
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteReally, Jonas, if there is no substantiation, I can't let your comment stay here, you know!
DeleteThanks for telling us about Mr Romula de Almeida . He is well known in the area therefore , let's stay away from him.
ReplyDeleteBest regards .