Why Brazil?

http://www.visitbrazil.co.uk/

My infatuation with Brazil began when my boyfriend's parents were invited to their cousin's wedding in Brazil. They showed me the wedding video to give me a taste of the luxury they experienced. The wedding looked beautiful, and the landscape and nature it was set in looked even more magnificent. I love the vibrancy, the colours, and the liveliness of the people and culture. Take a look at this video and you'll see what I mean.

Click here to see the video.

Basic Info

In Brazil, they speak Portuguese. 


Their currency is Brazilian Reals. 


The current exchange rate is 1.7 Brazilian Reals per 1 Canadian Dollar. 


The flight is about 10 - 12 hours long. 


The seasons in Brazil are a reverse of the seasons in Canada. 


The weather is warm all year long. Winter weather is in the 20sº C, dipping occasionally below 15ºC. 


Winter is their rainy season.


Summer weather is generally in the 30sº C. 

Brazilian Street Style

www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com

The people in Brazil seem to encompass a free spirit, and it comes through in the way they dress. I am an avid follower of fashion blogs, and every time Brazilian style is featured, I fall in love. The Sartorialist, a fashion blog by Scott Shulman, was labelled one of New York Times top design influences. He is also one of my favourite photographers. He travels around the world and take photos of people with interesting style. Pictured above are some photos he has taken of people in Brazil. I love the bold colours, prints, and summer chic of the way Brazilians dress. When I visit Brazil, I will certainly ogle at the tropical style of its local people.

Brazilian Cuisine

http://www.riojaneiro.eu/2009/08/traditional-brazilian-food/

Brazilian cuisine encompasses everything from avant-guard dishes to classic comfort food. Brazil's top chefs infuse unique flavours of the Amazon into their food, many of which we are not accustomed to in North America. We are very familiar with Italian, French, and Asian cuisine, but Brazilian restaurants are few and far between. 


Here is a list of some popular foods in Brazil:


Feijoada - This is Brazil's national dish. A thick stew with black beans, pork, and beef, that is traditionally made in a clay pot.
Exotic fruits - Mango, guava, cashew fruit, and passion fruit.
Pao de queijo - Bread and cheese rolls commonly served in restaurants and at home.
Moqueca - Different fish and shellfish are cooked in a clay pot with garlic, tomatoes, coriander, and onions.  Palm oil and coconut milk are added as liquids.
Churrasco - The Brazilian word for BBQ. Visit a Churrasqueira for all-you-can-eat barbecued meat.
Chocolate Truffles - A popular dessert.

Carnaval

http://www.belavista-rio.com/blog/item/2008/02/rio-de-janeiro-carnival-muses-part-ii-how-are-drum-queens-chosen 

The Carnaval in Brazil seems like one of the most exciting and festive celebrations I've ever heard of! It begins the Friday of Ash Wednesday, 7 weeks before Easter. The Carnaval, or Carnival in English, takes place all over Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is known as the Carnaval capital of the world. During Carnaval, Brazil is alive with street parties, parades, costume competitions, musical performances, and grande costume balls. 

It is a wonderful time to visit Brazil, but this much excitement comes with a price. Everything is more expensive in Brazil during Carnaval because it is a popular tourist attraction. 

This website (http://rio-carnival.net) offers packages to reduce the price of individual event tickets. The package includes:

• a beautiful personalized bag
• an exclusive Rio Carnival Services t-shirt
• a cushion to make it more comfortable for you to seat
• a printed 2011 Rio Carnival guide
• a transparent rain coat
• your admission tickets for sector and date previously chosen

Tourists are encouraged to purchase costumes and dance in the parade with the Samba dance schools. 

This sounds like a very authentic, Brazilian celebration that I would love to experience some day. 

The Amazon Rainforest

http://www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip100296.htm

The closest experience I have to the Rainforest is at Rainforest Cafe! The real Amazon Rainforest seems so distant from my life here in Canada, but to visit it would be a dream come true. It is home to some of the most intriguing and diverse wildlife in the world. Giant anacondas and tarantulas are not exactly my thing, but I would love to experience seeing the Amazon's unique animals in their natural setting. There are different ways that tourists can explore the Amazon.

For the real adventure seeker, there is the option to live in the Amazon in an Eco-Lodge that comes complete with rainforest tours and excursions. If I were to do this, The Ariau Jungle Towers, a tree top hotel located in the rainforest, seems like the most viable (and super cool) option to me. After all, how many people can say they lived in a tree?

Another great way to explore the Amazon is on a cruise. The cruises offer 3 days/2 nights, 6 days/5 nights, or 9 days. The cruise includes fishing, night trips, rare animal viewings, and excursions.

Specialty activities are also offered, such as the Amazon Fly Fishing Tour. This is an 11 day tour on a double decker river boat, where days are spent fishing with help from local experts. Tourists may also opt to stay in a Remote Jungle House on a secluded mountain in the middle of the rainforest for a real authentic experience.

The Amazon River

http://www.eltourismo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/amazon-river.jpg

The Amazon River is the largest river in the world, accounting for approximately 1/5 of the world's river flow. Boat cruises are offered that glide along the Amazon River. The boat departs from Manaus, the Amazon's capital city. The boat runs along the river and stops for small excursions to explore the surrounding forest. There are a variety of boat options for tourists to choose from. They even offer yachts that travel through the river and specialize in fishing and bird watching. There are also less luxurious cruises that focus more on the wildlife. This sounds like such an amazing experience that in this case, I would choose wildlife over luxury!

Rio de Janeiro

http://www.destination360.com/south-america/brazil/rio-de-janiero

My trip would not be complete with out a visit to one of Brazil's most bustling cities. Despite its reputation, Rio de Janeiro is actually not Brazil's capital. Nevertheless, it is famous for its white sandy beaches, gorgeous people, and scenic settings. This city seems like the place to be for young, trendy, and fun seeking tourists. It can be expensive to stay in Rio, so I did some research on how how to budget...

• Travel in off season. Prices rise by 30% during the summer (December - February)
• Stay in a "luxurious" hostel - Ipanema Beach House is recommended by many travel guides as one of the best hostels in Rio 
• Fill up on lunch and eat less at dinner. Brazil has a variety of inexpensive lunch buffets that charge by weight
• Take advantage of Rio's beaches - they are fun and free!
• The place to splurge is on nightlife - Samba clubs are said to be pricey but worth it 

Copacabana Beach

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/01/06/alg_rio-copacabana.jpg 

If the picture is any indication, I'm not talking about Barry Manilow's hit single. I'm talking about Rio de Janeiro's famous beach. Copacabana beach is ranked #1 out of 8 beach fronts in Rio. Oh how I would love to relax by this beach and take in the authentic Brazilian culture and colourful atmosphere that surrounds me. I'm just guessing, but I think this would rank as my #1 place in all of Brazil!

Sao Paulo: Concrete Paradise

http://www.bex-lewis.co.uk/interests/rtw/saopaulo.jpg

http://www.mizozo.com/profile/meoww/profile_articles/page7.html

Sao Paulo is Brazil's biggest city and the world's third biggest metropolis. But, tourists don't have to fret getting around in this urban jungle - they can opt for easy transportation on Sao Paulo's metro train network. Sao Paulo is quite different from the Amazon's natural beauty and Rio's sandy beaches. It is considered the cultural capital of Brazil, with countless museums, restaurants, shopping, and theatre. They are also home to Brazil's best coffee shops. Cafe Floresta hosts some of Brazil's best coffee in a chic setting.

Iguacu Falls

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travelblogs/508/85393/Iguaçu+Falls%2C+Both+Sides+of+the+Tale…?destId=363253

The Iguacu Waterfalls are the South American Niagara, except they are four times wider! Half the falls can be seen from Brazil, and half from Argentina. There is a separate entrance fee from both sides, and the area is surrounded by many tourist shops and food stands. I get the sense that visitors easily fall prey to the touristy attractions, but it is important to appreciate this natural wonder. These magnificent waterfalls are set in an environment rich with flora and fauna. It is recommended that tourists take walks through the forest and observe the natural setting. Besides walking around the falls for an eye-catching experience, speed boat rides are also offered. I would definitely visit the Iguacu Waterfalls on my trip to Brazil, explore the area by foot, and take a speed boat on the water. 

Salvador

http://wikitravel.org/en/Salvador 

Historically, Salvador was the capital of the slave trade in Brazil. Today, it has quaint old cities, vibrant music, beaches, and local markets. One of the most popular things to do here is watch the beautiful sunset from Solar do Unhao - a small museum with local art pieces that has jazz concerts on weekends. This sounds like a great way to experience Salvador's lively music culture. What draws me most to visit Salvador is that they welcome bargain hunters. Mercado Modelo (Mercado Market) and small stores in the Old Town have unique items for a low price. I'm going to start practicing my game face so I can barter with the best of them in Salvador. 

Head in the Clouds

http://www.thenewnewinternet.com/2010/04/23/lockheed-martin-finds-growing-use-of-cloud-in-government/

If I were to fly to Brazil today, I could hop on a plane with American Airlines for just under $1000. The price is less than I expected, but from what I've learned, November is not prime tourist season in Brazil. All the more reason for me to hop on that plane...well...tomorrow...

Okay, that would be really irresponsible...

but also incredibly spontaneous and exciting...

just kidding! No plans to leave Canada until my time at UWO is finished. But this project certainly makes the thought of flying away enticing!