Brazil General Discussion

 Does anybody know what the most reliable and least expensive way of communicating between Brazil and USA is? I know about SKYPE- and that a laptop and internet access may not always be available in an emergency situation. I have heard of an unblocked phone that uses two sim cards- one for the US and one for Brazil. Does this work? And which is the best phone to use? My daughter is going to live in Rio for 6 months and she needs to have a phone that works!! I live in the US, but will be going down with her to help her get settled in 3 weeks.

Thank you,

Cheryl READ MORE>

I'm going back  to Brazil for a visit with my host family from 40 years ago, but haven't been there in some 12 years.  What should I take for gifts?  (I know, IPods, but I have a LOT of people to bring things for and a bunch of IPods is too expensive!).  I have a couple of 80+ year olds, a few 20-somethings, and a few 50-somethings of both genders.  Any suggestions for me?
Muito obrigada!
 
 
 

Lately, this past six months/year or so I have noticed a number of people leaving, returning back to Brasil.  Perhaps it is normal where people (mostly men) have come, done what they needed to do and it was time to go home.  I personally think, based on the flat/slow economy where work has become increasingly difficult that it was simply not worth anymore being away from their home and family with little opportunity here. READ MORE>

Did you know that Brazil has the largest population of Japanese people and people of Japanese origin outside Japan? Below is a news issue on the Japanese culture in Brazil. The report is by Brazilian TV network Record. The videos are in Portuguese - good listening comprehension practice. READ MORE>

For those interested in green, here is a short article about eco-tourism in Brazil:
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/eco-tripping-brazil-three-ways/

I was delighted to find this blog:
http://www.fluentin3months.com/why-i-love-brazilians/
 
Benny is an Irish guy whose life mission it to learn languages by traveling the world. His site is very rich with information and tips for language learners. There are many good articles there. Please share with us here what was most helpful to you.
 

Who doesn't love a beautiful pair of Havaianas? In an attempt to grow their business in the Philipines, Havaianas has launched a very interesting contest that will give away a 12-day all-paid vacation in Brazil to a group of four. Not bad! Read more here http://www.pinayads.com/2010/02/havaianas-contest-happy-soles-will-travel-to-brazil/
 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lori-pottinger/emavatarem-should-brazil_b_430724.html
What are your thoughts on this?

 Saw this video today and it almost moved me to tears because as a person who grew up adapting to vastly different cultures, I could see from both sides in this video.  In the vid, a Japanese waiter endlessly apologizes for his server spilling some shoyu sauce on a Brazilian tourist.  At first it is funny, but then it gets more and more uncomfortable as the waiter keeps apologizing and the Brazilians keep trying to cheer him up. READ MORE>