Two Weeks Already, And He Won't Say When He's Leaving

A former German pilot who was reportedly dumped by a Brazilian woman he met on the Internet has been living for the past two weeks at the airport in Campinas, and he won't say when he plans to leave.

Airport workers who have gotten to know the man, identified as Heinz Muller, say he is out of money, and they bring him meals from the food court. He reportedly spends his time on his laptop computer which he places on a luggage cart, and occasionally talks with passngers and airport staff in mixed Portugese and Spanish.

A spokeswoman for Brazil's Civil Aviation Authority told The Associated Press that he arrived in Rio de Janeiro October 2nd, and he's welcome to stay in Brazil as long as doesn't break any laws. The spokesperson said he had come to Brazil to visit a woman he met on the Internet.

Apparently that didn't work out so well.

The normal visa for Europeans visiting Brazil is three months, so Muller would not face deportation until early next year. Authorities say he has declined offers of shelter provided by non-profit groups. He bathes in the airport restroom and sleeps in a chair in the airport's only terminal.

He told an AP reporter he would like to stay in Brazil permanently. The German Embassy declined to comment.

FMI: www.anac.gov.br/portal/cgi/cgilua.exe/sys/start.htm?sid=330