Learn Portuguese: What to see in Brazil?
Posted by Elena Como with Atlantico Books on November 18, 2010 · 3 Comments
Have you always wanted to go to Brazil? Planning to spend a Carnaval in Rio?
Rio's Botanic Garden
Brazil is gigantic (the size of the continental United States), and what to see depends on how much time you have and what you enjoy. Everyone should go to Rio de Janeiro at some point, and see the sights there. Don’t miss: Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema & Copacabana Beaches, the Lagoa Rodrigo Freitas (rent bikes or a paddle-boat), the Botanic Garden, and if the weather is good, go up to the Christ the Redeemer Statue in the Floresta Tijuca (all in Rio). Spend at least 1 week in Rio, and if you have more time than that, I suggest a day trip to Petropolis in the mountains and several days on Ilha Grande (take a bus & ferry from Rio). If you have even more time than that, you could purchase a “beaches of the Northeast” package in Rio, that will include the flight & hotels in the northeastern beach-cities of Maceió, Natal, Fortaleza, Fernando de Noronha. Salvador is up there as well, and is worth another week if you enjoy Brazilian music! And if you prefer the jungle, you could get a package-trip to the Pantanal, which is cheaper than the Amazon, and much closer to Rio. The Pantanal is a great place for bird-watchers.
Word to the wise: learn Portuguese before you go! Even just the greetings and basic map-vocabulary will make a huge difference, as many Brazilians don’t speak English. Brazilians are warm and friendly, and often very happy to help tourists find their way, so study your Brazilian Portuguese before you go.
Hi Eurico,In your post above, I will sign the snetematt that in today’s globalised world “the rapid motion of ideas and ideologies, people and goods, images and messages, etc”, produces “fundamental problems of livelihood, equity, suffering, justice, and governance”.Capoeira has spread with globalisation, and as you say, I perceive Capoeira to be promoting promoting social inclusion and positive contributions to practitioners’ lives – for those practitioners that accept this deeper meaning. To other practitioners it might just be mocking around or showing off or having fun – all of which is legitimate.I’m not sure if I agree with the spreading of Capoeira producing “fundamental problems of livelihood, equity, suffering, justice, and governance”. Do international practinioners “suffer” because of Capoeira spreading? Do they “suffer” from the meaninglessness globalisation has brought into some Capoeira teaching? Do they care? Same goes with livelihood. Many practinioners outside Brazil are those who can afford paying for classes. Governance? Maybe the globalisation of Capoeira and the increase in female practitioners has made Capoeira less governed by a macho attitude, which I find personally quite enjoyable.Maybe Eurico could highlight what he means by that snetematt, then I can sign that, too
Axe, Canarinho
Yay Capoeira!
I’ve been spreading the word too Samanta. Have you read “Capoeira – Pequeno Manual do Jogador”? It’s available from Atlantico Books: http://atlanticobooks.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1273&category_id=45&keyword=capoeira&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=18