The 35th Brazilian Congress of Otorhinolaryngology.

It is always fascinating to visit new parts of the world. As an invited guest speaker I attended, with Marlene, The 35[degrees] CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO de OTORRINOLARINGOLOGIA in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, October 16-20,2000. With more than 2,500 registrants and 4,000 in attendance, it was a large meeting by any standard. The language was Portuguese with translation to and from English, as needed. The modern, world-class medicine practiced in Brazil was evident by the high quality of the papers and exhibits. Computerized slide projection was trouble-free, seamless, and better than I have ever seen at a meeting. The social activities were typically Brazilian, outstanding, and fun and included live music every night. The last evening involved exclusive use of the Vila Folia, a carnival setting with food typical of the area, beverages, and entertainment by a popular singer.

Four-hundred-year-old Natal (pronounced na*tau) is a tropical resort famous for its huge sand dunes and beaches. Americans know it best as the site of a U.S. air base from which supplies were flown to Africa (the shortest distance over the Atlantic) during World War II, before the North African campaign.

The congress president, Pedro Cavalcanti, MD, a lifelong resident of Natal who has practiced ENT for 20 years, organized a fine meeting. A visit to his private office revealed a state-of-the-art new facility, including a laboratory, pulmonary function labs, allergy, an auditorium for educational course lectures, a dissection lab, two operating rooms, and beds for overnight patient stays after surgery. A new private hospital was under construction nearby. It is a pleasure to see the prosperity, enthusiasm, and success of Brazil.

JACK L. PULEC

Editor-in-Chief

EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL