Travel to Brazil With Kids
The New York Times Travel Q&A column recently posted some suggestions for those planning to travel to Brazil with children. Many of the suggestions apply equally to adults: avoid tap water, strong currents and pollution, apply sunscreen liberally, etc. The comments beneath the article provide more substantial suggestions. Read how to spend a rainy day in Rio for recommendations of museums and other fairweather options.
Lots to do in Rio This Weekend
Carioca's may pause to take a breath after the Carnival celebrations but Rio de Janeiro hardly shuts down. This weekend is filled with events:
Tonight: Steel Pulse in concert at Vivo Rio. This world-famous British reggae band will be performing it’s politically charged—and yet upbeat-- songs for one night only in Rio.
Bob Dylan is playing at the Rio Arena Avenida Embaixador Abelardo Bueno (a new venue built to host the Pan-American games).
Cuban singer, Omara Portuondo, joins forces with Brazilian Maria Bethania (sister of Caetano Veloso, and fellow Tropicalista) at Caneção.
Orquestra Lunar, the 10-member all-woman band which has been gaining popularity with its quality version of samba, choro and ballads, is playing at Sala Baden Powell.
Casuarina,a group of five young musicians who play traditional samba tunes in an informal “roda” (circle) will be performing at the Teatro Odisseia.
The Maze Inn will be hosting Jazz / Samba /Bossa on the hill.
Fore more information on these and other events taking place in Rio this weekend, check out our calendar of events.
Naomi Campbell's Secret Surgery?
Some news from the tabloids... it seems that former supermodel Naomi Campbell is one of the many who has discovered that Salvador de Bahia, the heart of afro-brazilian culture, is THE place to be for Carnival. She may also have figured out that Brazil is also one of the top destinations for plastic surgery tourism. Insider's seem awfully secretive about her apparent 'cyst removal', but it seems a bit odd that she would fly all the way to Brazil for this kind of procedure!
Jorge Amado's Salvador de Bahia
Anyone who has read one of Jorge Amado's classic novels will recognize his enchantment with Salvador de Bahia, Brazil's center of Afro-Brazilian culture. It was during his high school years, which he spent in this former Brazilian capital, that Amado began his writing career, publishing his first novel at the age of 18.
Last weekend's New York Times published an article featuring what today might be Jorge Amado's highlights, from the Mercado Modelo to the cobblestoned streets of Pelourinho.
Lee Weingast, our editor in Brazil, recently visited Salvador and wrote about Ribeira, the beachside neighborhood in Salvador's Lower City (Cidade Baixa). Lee's guide walks you through this former upper-class neighborhood, which today is a local weekend hangout. It's a great way to see how Soteropolitanos (natives of Salvador, Bahia) enjoy a day at the beach. Be sure to save up your appetite -- she's got food recommendations too!
Carnival 2008 Photos
While Rio de Janeiro is recovering from a Carnival hangover, Lee Weingast, our editor in Rio, has posted these photos from the event..
Beckham's Brazilian Resort to Support Aspiring Local Soccer Stars
The New York Times this weekend reported that soccer star David Beckham is building a luxury resort for athletically-inclined travelers in Brazil. Located near the coastal town of Natal, the resort will feature a professional training center with eight soccer fields and a stadium that seats 10,000, in addition to three hotels, a spa, fully equipped gym and private residences.
The complex will also be home to the third David Beckham Soccer Academy, a camp for young aspiring athletes. A five-day session at the US campus costs nearly $1,000, however the Brazilian Academy will offer a scholarship program for Brazilian children. Click here to read more about soccer in Brazil.
Carnival's Grande Finale
Today,
terça-feira gorda (Fat Tuesday) is officially the big finale for Carnival but
true to Brazilian style, the party won’t be ending when it should. Blocos
(carnival street bands) will be parading in various areas of the city until
next Sunday.
Here
are some options for prolonging the carnival festivities:
Tuesday,
February 5, 2008
Banda de Ipanema. For over 40 years
this group has been flooding the streets of Ipanema with a stream of creatively
costumed revelers. The Banda is known for extravagant costumes and a
gay-friendly atmosphere. Gathering: 3pm in
Praça General Osório. Parades along Avenida Viera Souto (Ipanema beach)
Rio Rio Northeastern
Brazil
The Rio Rio
Vem ni me que Sou Facinha. This bloco, whose name means “come to me, I’m
easy”, will play traditional marchinhas and samba tunes in Ipanema’s Praça
General Osório. Gathering: 5pm at Rua Prudente de Moraes, #10.
Wednesday,
February 6, 2008
Me Beija que Sou Cineasta. It’s important to
understand the name of this bloco: “kiss me, I’m a filmmaker” because
participants will be given color-coded bracelets depending on kissing
preference: blue for those who kiss only men, red for kissing only women, green
for both sexes and black if you kiss anything that breathes! This bloco’s
merrymaking also includes a dip in the fountain. Gathering: 8am in Baixo Gávea
(the square near the Jockey Club).
Thursday,
February 7, 2008
Voltar pra Quê? Parade through the
streets near Cinelândia (downtown) with this traditional bloco whose name means
“why go back?”. Gathering: 8pm on Rua
Alvaro Alvim, at the famous “Beco da Cirrose” (“cirrhosis corner”).
Friday,
February 8, 2008
Só Tamborims. This band consists
of only tamborims (a small, tambourine-like instrument which creates quite a
loud sound when hit with a plastic stick). Gathering: 9pm at the Travessa
Mosqueria, at the corner of Avenida Mem de Sá (in Lapa).
Saturday,
February 9, 2008
Bafafá. This traditional
bloco meets at 5pm at Posto Nove (lifeguard post 9) on Ipanema beach.
Mulheres do Chico
Sunday,
February 10, 2008
Monobloco. Hundreds of
drummers and percussionists attracts even more revelers with their lively,
percussive versions of popular Brazilian songs. Gathering: 9am in front of
Hotel Sofitel, Posto 6, on the Avenida Atlântica (along Copacabana beach).
Barangal. While the name
means “ugly woman”, this bloco attracts folks of all types and is a great
option to end your carnival with a bang. Gathering: 4pm at Posto Nove
(lifeguard post 9) on Ipanema beach.
For more events in Rio de Janeiro check out our calendar of events.
More Carnival in Brazil...
Right after finishing yesterday's post about Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, I sat down to my favorite Sunday activity - the New York Times Travel section - and found this mini-guide to experiencing Carnival outside of Rio de Janeiro. The article brings up a great point, which is that Carnival can be enjoyed throughout all of Brazil, not just in Rio. In fact, Salvador de Bahia is often referred to as the heart of Carnival, thanks in part to the surrounding Afro-Brazilian influence.
The author also recommends Morro de São Paulo, a nearby favorite of mine. This charming island is a short flight or ferry ride from Salvador and offers a fun beach setting with plenty of character.
Whether you're in for the full-blown tourist show in Rio, or you want to experience a 'smaller town' version of the party, one thing is for sure... if you don't have a room booked by now, you'll be sleeping on the beach!
For more articles on Brazil, click here.
Preparation for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
Brazil's Carnival is less than a week away, but preparations have been underway for months now. Samba schools start rehearsing almost immediately after carnival ends, to be prepared for the following year's event.
Dance routines aren't the only preparations taking place in Rio. Plastic surgeons are busier than ever prepping local women for the big show. Click here to read the story of one Samba dancer / model / recent-celeb who has achieved fame by flaunting her silicon stuff to the crowds of Carnival attendees.
Health officials are also busy in an effort to distribute nearly 20 million condoms by Carnival's Grand Finale on Ash Wednesday.
If cosmetic surgery tourism isn't your thing, there are plenty of activities taking place that you should not miss this week in Rio. The Roda Gigante (giant ferris wheel) has been set up at Post 6 on Copacabana beach, courtesy of the Skoll beer company. You can enjoy outstanding views of the Bay while taking in a DJ show on the beach below. If it's culture you're seeking, the Paço Imperial, a former palace of Portuguese Royalty, is displaying The Image of the Sound of Samba, where works of art inspired by samba songs are shown along with the lyrics and headphones to hear the music.
For more details on these and other activities leading up to Carnival, check out our Calendar of Events for Rio de Janiero. Read more about Carnival in Brazil and listen to our podcast...
Romance In Brazil
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. If you find yourself in Brazil for this special Hallmark day, you are likely to have all the romantic spots to yourself. Fear not, Latin America's most passionate country hasn't overlooked the event... they just celebrate it at a different time of year. 'Dia dos Namorados' or 'Day of Lovers' takes place on June 12th in Brazil. This is the eve of Saint Anthony, whose gift is to spread the love and encourage good marriages.
No need to miss out on the fun if you hadn't planned in advance. Lee Weingast, our editor in Brazil, has a great list of romantic venues in Rio de Janeiro. Read more about the best places to pop the big question in Rio de Janeiro.
