Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – The Grinch — in the form of devastating recession, giant corruption and unpaid salaries — has stolen Rio de Janeiro’s Christmas.
Things are so tight in Brazil’s party city that the traditional giant Christmas tree on the lagoon has been canceled. There aren’t even municipal holiday lights in the streets.
And in shops, would-be Santas are feeling more ho-hum than ho-ho.
“It’s a really flat Christmas. People are not energized,” said Daniela Santiago, 41, searching for children’s presents in a store that sells cheap Chinese-made toys and decorations. “Most of my friends and family are feeling down.” more
The Soccer World Cup and the Olympics have crippled this countries finances for decades to come.