While in Virginia, I happened to have a conversation about beer with a guy I had worked with for nearly a year. I mentioned Brahma Chopp, a fine Brazilian beer, brewed in the German tradition. My coworker turned out to be very familiar with the beer. I soon learned that he had lived in Brazil for a number of years. So had I. He had attended the American School of Rio de Janeiro. So had I. He had arrived at that school the year after I left and knew most of my old mates.