Brazilian Coffee Rocks.....
Friday, December 7, 2007
The first coffee plants in Brazil were planted in the northern state of Pará in the 1700s. The climate was favorable and the dimensions of the country contributed for cultivation of the product to spread rapidly. Coffee soon reached the southeastern states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, São Paulo and Minas Gerais and the southern Paraná. Today many Brazilian farms are among the most innovative in the world, and a segment of the Brazilian coffee industry is succeeding in achieving almost unprecedented refinement in its coffee production.
In Brasil people prefer to drink strong coffee. There are many ways of preparing it. When you mention the word Brasil, three words come to mind: Football. Samba. Coffee. I personally prefer Cafezinho which is like an espresso...
The best coffee in Brazil comes from the region around San Paulo and is named for the port through which it is exported, Santos. Santos is known for its smooth flavor, medium body and moderate acidity. While Santos is the best coffee in Brazil, it is still far from extraordinary when compared to other coffees of the world. Coffee is a huge industry here. If u go to Paulista Avenue you'll find new and old buildings being built for old coffee industry..
Coffee in Brazil is so popular, because people here don't prefer tea. We don't add milk to coffee as milk removes the bitterness. Most people also don't prefer to add sugar also..they just prefer plain coffee...
Labels: Brazil-Coffee...
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posted by Brazil Guy @ 1:15 AM,
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Things to do in Brazil.....
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Enjoy the greatest party in the world at Rio de Janeiro's Carnival. While the Rio event is most famous, carnival is celebrated throughout Brazil. Salvador also holds a big carnival but festivities in Olinda are renowned as being the most traditional and authentic.
Explore the Amazon rainforest, the world's largest biological reserve. It contains one-third of all living species on the earth and is crossed by 10 of the world's 20 largest rivers, including the River Amazon. The usual base for trips is Manaus.
Take a leap of faith on a tandem paragliding or hang-gliding flight from Pedra Bonita in São Conrado, just outside Rio. This popular adventure excursion gives a bird's-eye view of Rio and its favelas (shanty towns) and the Atlantic forest before landing on the golden sands of São Conrado beach.
Stroll along the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches in Rio de Janeiro, where sun bronzed beauties share the sands with beach soccer and volleyball players.
Stretch out on the golden sands on some of the many thousands of beaches on Brazil's Atlantic coast beyond Rio, including the chic beach resort of Buzios, Praia da Rosa near Floianopolis, Jericoacoara in Ceará state and Ilha de Tinharé in Bahia.
Take a hike on trails into Brazil's wilderness areas, such as forested Tijuca National Park in Rio and mountainous Diamantina National Park in Bahia.
Learn to dance the samba. An exciting way to experience the genuine samba is by attending a rehearsal at the escolas de samba (samba schools), which open their doors to visitors a couple of months before the beginning of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival.
Shop in Salvador's Mercado Modelo, famed for quality handicrafts from Bahia and throughout Brazil. Arts and crafts markets can be found elsewhere in Brazil in most tourist destinations.
Ride the waves on Brazil's fantastic surf beaches. Surfing hotspots include Joaquina Beach on Santa Catarina island, Saquarema in Rio state, Itacaré in Bahia, Pipa near Natal and Cacimba do Padre on Fernando de Noronha.
Dive into the deep blue waters of coastal Brazil. Diving is popular in the protected marine park on the island of Fernando de Noronha. The coast off Angra dos Reis in Rio de Janeiro state is littered with 300 islands ripe for underwater exploration.
Watch a game of football in Rio's Maracanã Stadium, which was the largest stadium in the world when it was built. Football is a national obsession and matches are colourful and noisy affairs.
Labels: Rio de Janeiro-Amazon rainforest.....
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posted by Brazil Guy @ 3:40 AM,
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Brazil - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette...
Brazil - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette
Language in Brazil
Language is one of the strongest elements of Brazil's national unity. Portuguese is spoken by nearly 100 percent of the population. There is about as much difference between the Portuguese spoken in Brazil and that spoken in Portugal as between the English spoken in the United States and that spoken in the United Kingdom. Within Brazil, there are no dialects of Portuguese, but only moderate regional variation in accent, vocabulary, and use of personal nouns, pronouns, and verb conjugations. Variations tend to diminish as a result of mass media, especially national television networks that are viewed by the majority of Brazilians.
Brazilian Society & Culture
. Brazil is a mixture of races and ethnicities, resulting in rich diversity.
. Many original Portuguese settlers married native women, which created a new race, called 'mestizos'.
. Slavery was abolished in 1888, creating over time a further blurring of racial lines.
Brazilian Family Values
. The family is the foundation of the social structure and forms the basis of stability for most people.
. Families tend to be large (although family size has been diminishing in recent years) and the extended family is quite close.
. The individual derives a social network and assistance in times of need from the family.
. Nepotism is considered a positive thing, since it implies that employing people one knows and trusts is of primary importance.
The Brazilian Class System
. Despite the mixing of ethnicities, there is a class system in Brazil.
. Few Brazilians could be described as racist, although social discrimination on the basis of skin colour is a daily occurrence.
. In general, people with darker brown skin are economically and socially disadvantaged.
. The middle and upper classes often have only brief interaction with the lower classes - usually maids, drivers, etc.
. Class is determined by economic status and skin colour.
Etiquette and Customs in Brazil
Meeting Etiquette
. Men shake hands when greeting one another, while maintaining steady eye contact.
. Women generally kiss each other, starting with the left and alternating cheeks.
. Hugging and backslapping are common greetings among Brazilian friends.
. If a woman wishes to shake hands with a man, she should extend her hand first.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. If invited to a Brazilian's house, bring the hostess flowers or a small gift.
. Orchids are considered a very nice gift, but avoid purple ones.
. Avoid giving anything purple or black as these are mourning colours.
. Handkerchiefs are also associated with funerals, so they do not make good gifts.
. Gifts are opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a Brazilian's house
. Arrive at least 30 minutes late if the invitation is for dinner.
. Arrive up to an hour late for a party or large gathering.
. Brazilians dress with a flair and judge others on their appearance. Casual dress is more formal than in many other countries. Always dress elegantly and err on the side of over-dressing rather than under- dressing.
Labels: Brazil - Language, Culture and more....
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posted by Brazil Guy @ 12:02 AM,
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Brazilian fashion
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Brazilian Fashion
Brazil is the economic giant and the fifth largest country in South America. There have been many changes in many spheres of life here, including fashion. Today Brazilian fashion has undergone so many changes, that it is now ready to conquer the world of fashion. After many years of unhappy counterfeiting, the fashion designers located in Brazil have gained lots of self confidence in themselves. This has led them to showing off their well of talent to the world, to gain fame and acclaim all over the world.
The world of fashion is something that intrigues many a people. Different people from different places have different ideas in fashion, leading to top designers in different forms of fashion like Brazilian fashion. You can find out the latest about the world of fashion just by having a look at the television, fashion magazines and just by keeping in touch with all the rich and famous of today are wearing.
Gone are the days when fashion insiders tried to evoke a Brazilian aesthetic from trite references like Carnaval plumage or bikinis on a Rio beach.
Brazilian designers have come a long way and are convincing the outside world that there is as much diversity in their native fashion panorama as in the natural one. With their distinctive qualities such as the piercing prints, primitive handicrafts, strong colors, sensual cuts and futuristic silhouettes, Brazilian labels have come into their own style, which is fast becoming internationally acclaimed.
If chance has a role, it lies in the happy conjunction of factors that have helped Brazilian-made fashion set itself free and project itself beyond its borders.
The establishment of a fashion calendar and the valorization of fashion as a business, the development of the textile sector, and the unquestionable quality of Brazil’s raw materials have helped to launch Brazilian designers both at home and abroad. Since then, the history of fashion in Brazil has never been the same and its designers have won the attention of the specialized press worldwide.
Labels: Brazil-fashion and more.....
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posted by Brazil Guy @ 2:56 AM,
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Brazilian cinematic history...
A Brief History On Brazilian Cinema
It all started with the success of films like Central Station (Central do Brazil) and City of God (Cidade de Deus), This was followed by Lumière brothers’ invention, a film exhibition which was held at Rio de Janeiro, though it has always gone through periods of ups and downs...
The 30's & 40's
It was only when Actress Carmen Miranda gained visibility overseas. In 1946, Gilda de Abreu's O Ébrio, a film very much representative of typical Latin melodrama, was a major hit and drew in around four million viewers. Actress Carmen Miranda gained visibility overseas.
The 40's & 50's
During the 40's and 50's, films produced by the Atlântida Cinematography peaked and attracted large audiences by continuing with chanchadas. Among the actors that became strongly associated with Atlântida who had previously worked in Cinédia films are Oscarito, a comedian somewhat reminiscent of a Harpo Marx and commonly cast as lead, and Grande Otelo, who usually had a smaller supporting role and is often Oscarito's sidekick. José Lewgoy was commonly cast as a villain while Zézé Macedo often took on the role of the undesired, nagging wife. The films of this period have often been brushed aside as being overly commercial.
The 70's & 80's
Films in this period benefited from state-run agencies, most notably Embrafilme. Its role was perceived as somewhat ambiguous. It was criticized for its dubious selection criteria, bureaucracy and favoritism, and was seen as a form of government control over artistic production. On the other hand, much of the work of this period was produced mainly because of its existence. A peak in the number of film theaters is reached in 1975, when 3,276 projection rooms were in existence.
The Early 90's
The early nineties, under the Color government, saw a significant decrease in State funding that lead to a practical halt in film production. However, the mid nineties are witness to a new burst in cinematic production, mainly thanks to the introduction of incentive laws under the new FHC government. The comedy Carlota Joaquina - Princess of Brazil came out in 1995 and is held by many as the first film of the retomada, or the return of national film production. Since then there have been films with Academy Award nominations such as O Quatrilho, Central Station and City of God. The dark urban film O Invasor was chosen as the best film of the period by magazine Revista de Cinema. Some other films that have attracted attention are Carandiru, O Homem Que Copiava, Madame Satã, Behind the Sun (Abril Despedaçado), Olga and Dois Filhos de Francisco, though perhaps some of these would no longer qualify as films of the retomada, since the term is only adequate to describe the initial boost that occurred in the nineties.
Changing Scenario
Still common in Brazilian cinema is a taste for social and political criticism, a trait that reflects its strong Cinema Novo influences. Poverty, favelas, drought and famine are themes so common that the term "cosmética da fome", or "hunger cosmetic" (a new take on Glauber Rocha's "ética da fome", or "hunger ethic") was coined as a way to criticize its supposed exhaustion if not exploitation. For the common movie goer, there has been a shift in perception towards Brazilian cinema as becoming more audience friendly.
Documentaries have also had a strong place in Brazilian cinema thanks to the work of renowned directors such as Eduardo Coutinho and João Moreira Salles.
In 2007, the film Tropa de Elite gained headlines due to how quickly pirate DVD copies spread among viewers before its release on theaters, but also due to the large number of audience members who cheered police brutality scenes. Its depiction of drug users as crime sponsors also fueled debates on the legalisation of drugs.
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Brazil
Labels: Brazil-cinema-history...
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posted by Brazil Guy @ 12:20 AM,
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All about Brazil Cuisine......
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
This article is dedicated to all the food lovers…Its time to leave for office and I could hear my mom shouting from the kitchen for breakfast…it was then I realized to write something interesting about food, but what kind of food???
My pen automatically started to write about Brazilian cuisine, as my breakfast was filled with bread, milk, and jam and to complete it, was coffee…which reminded me about my Journey to Brazil…!!!
Brazilian cooking history can be found in every bite of the country's food. It was during the 19th century when slavery ended and Brazil met its independence which became a melting pot for immigrants from all over the world. The nation's multifaceted cooking is always unique and delicious.
Breakfast is a simple affair in Brazil which includes - coffee, milk, bread and jam, sometimes cheese and ham, with fresh fruit.
For lunch and, depending on the location, also dinner, Brazilians have wonderful, inexpensive restaurants where home-style meals are sold buffet-style by kilo. You just pile the food on your plate and someone will weigh it for you. The same follows for the desserts. You order drinks from your waiter and pay him at the end of your meal...
It was time for shopping and I headed towards the nearest shopping centre. When I was almost done with my shopping, I wanted to gulp some coffee with some bread. It was when I realized the Brazilians rule which almost every person follows there...they do not prefer to eat while walking down the street or while riding the bus or the subway. Also, they will not have coffee cups and drinks in their cars. Also, they will not have coffee cups and drinks in their cars. They do enjoy stopping at a juice bar or a kiosk for a sandwich and a glass of freshly-squeezed juice, but will stand around until all the food is consumed. Brazilians find it rude to eat in places that are not MEANT for eating...
They follow the modern culture of having their food...they usually use a fork and knife for pizza, open sandwiches and even chicken. They are amused and even amazed at the way other countries eating such food with their hands...The fork are held in the left hand and the knife in the right...
As a cosmopolitan country, the majority of Brazil's main cities offer tourists a wide variety of international cuisines. As it happens, eating out in Brazil is also a very affordable experience, with superb service. However, many tourists wish to have local food in their lunch or breakfast.
Feijoada is the one among the national dishes of Brazil which will be served whether we chose to eat in one of the many Brazil restaurants, or if we are more adventurous and chose to eat on the street.Its a combination of rice, black beans and pork.
Caipirinha is the national drink that is normally drank by diners in most Brazil restaurants prior to eating their Feijoada. Its a combination of lime and sugar which is very refreshing..
Caldo is a soup dish that restaurants in Brazil normally serve before the main dish - Feijoada.
These are the Famous local dishes which are preferred by almost every alternate person.
Brazil is most famous for its coffee and no trip to Brazil would be complete without at least one sample of the local brew. Visitors need to be aware though that Brazilians take their coffee very strong, sweet and in small cups. Also, Brazilian culture dictates that if someone offers you a cup of coffee, you cannot refuse such an offer...
Finally, Brazilians end to enjoy drinking chooppe when socializing. Choppe is a locally brewed beer, which has a heavy Germanic influence in its taste. So, no mater where you dine out in Brazil, and regardless of whether or not you want to eat Brazilian food, restaurants in Brazil are both inexpensive and the center of some great socializing...!!!!!!
So by now you must have got an idea as to what, how and where to eat when you are on a trip to Brazil.....!!!!!!
Labels: brazil-cuisine-eating style....
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posted by Brazil Guy @ 3:38 AM,
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Nonstop Fernando ! - New Guinness Attempt by a Sao Paulo Guy
Thursday, November 29, 2007
You think you got the gift of gab? Think again! Fernando Ferraro, a.k.a Nonstop Fernando can simply put you to shame. It was hard to believe when I heard it for the first time but after viewing the video there was no option left but to believe. The guy spoke for 14 hours 40 minutes at a stretch !! NONSTOP ! .
Its always good to be in the book of Guinness record but Fernando’s deed can probably demand not one but two of those coveted spots. First for his unique deed of continuous blabbering for that 14 hours and 40 minutes and second for being the “longest commercial ever”. Yes, Fernando’s feat was actually inspired by the launch of Emirate’s continuous flight from Sao Paolo to Dubai and that is where he picked up that not so common figure of 14 hours 40 minutes.
Emirates has been wise to pick up on Fernando’s aspiration of being on the Guinness and they have motivated him for this non stop deed. Sure this ad will create a lot of buzz if not for the message ( you get to know Sao Paolo inside out though) at least for the nature of the ad.
While a 14 hours 40 minutes ad is something that no one is going to watch at a stretch, to maintain transparency of the entire event Emirates has provided an uncut recording of the entire session on the website http://www.nonstopfernando.com/ and in addition a little technical tweaking has enabled the visitors to play that 14 hours movie from any given time by just filling in the time in the custom video player.
Labels: Brazil, emirates, fernando, Guinness Record, sao paulo
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posted by Brazil Guy @ 2:13 AM,
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