Brazil

* A reception of about 600 screaming fans met Howie D at the Sao Paulo airport. Howie had made a comment on the plane that he would be very happy if ten showed up - he did not expect this many. He was beside himself.

* Howie began his tour with a few TV shows in Sao Paulo. Both shows were broadcast live and had audiences of 300-400 attending (with several hundred more outside).

* Howie was asked lots of questions about the other band members and especially about Brian's condition and how his surgery went.

* Travelling with Howie was his older sister, PollyAnna. She accompanied him everywhere and joined in to comment on her present career. She has been writing and recording with Full Force and Gary Baker... [They're working on] music for the Latin markets.

* A cute question asked by one of the fans was, "Why are you so wonderful?" To which Howie replied, "I don't know, but thank you!"

* General format of the shows [Howie appeared on] was the airing of BsB videos and then a question and answer session from the audience with Howie.

* One show had two contestants spouting their love for Howie in a scene from Romeo & Jliet - Howie being on the balcony with the two girls below. The audience then picked which one was more sincere and she won a BsB prize package.

* Next came the radio stations - and the crowds grew larger every place we went.

* At one station, the program director thought it would be a great idea to let the fans into the station before we arrived. That did not work out well, because we could barely get Howie into the station at all!

* After security literally picked Howie up and carried him through the crowd into the station booth, he did his interview while the crowd took pictures through the glass. Then came pictures with the manager's daughter and various contest winners...

* Next during that same day came the photo shoot for the cover of a high fashion magazine called ERES. Howie posed with a model for several shots (and a few hours) until the day cam to an end. Afterwards, [Howie met with some fans]. He made their dreams come true.

Rio

* After the quick 45 minute hop to Rio de Janiero, we settles into our beautiful hotel.

* First morning was a trip to Corko Vado... We all climbed to the top so we could take in the magnificent view of Rio and see the huge magnificent view of Rio and see the huge, beautiful statue up there. The weather was a bit cool at the top, but well worth the climb.

* We missed our flight next morning back to Sao Paulo, but caught the next one and continued our trip. From the plane we jumped right into a van hidden in the backdrop section of the airport and drove right to the live radio show waiting for Howie... There were about 300 fans blocking the street and the only gate into the station. And of course, as the gate opened, all the fans ran inside along with our van!

* Once again security grabbed Howie and funneled him safely into the station.

* Howie did his interview, some more pictures, and away we went. Only now there were about 600 fans outside! The office workers came out and formed a line barrier around our fan so they could get us through the gate...

Mexico City

* Our first day was fun... We got an early start and drove outside the city to the pyramids called Teotihuacan. This area was a city thousands of years ago with huge roads and tall structures.

* Howie climbed to the top of the main pyramid with a magazine journalist and her camera man. They did an interview on the way and took lots of shots. When Howie got to the top there was a class of school kids doing energy movements and he joined right in.

* Several more radio stations followed and a few more TV shows.

* Most of the magazine and newspaper interviews took place in the record label office, which was a beautiful hacienda-like building with a garden courtyard and large fountain in the middle.

* We did get to try several wonderful restaurants in Brazil and Mexico, and I hope all the BsBs will soon have the opportunity to see these places and meet all the wonderful people. [We're] already getting requests for the Boys to come back and play some major venues!!

- SuperTeen

December 1998