When I was eight  I saw this TV series based upon a true story called Lampião e Maria Bonita. It took place in the dry lands of Brazilian Sertão, a bit similar to –and not far from- the region of Crisópolis, where grandpa Octavio had settled alone in a house, in the middle of nowhere, after leaving the big city once and for all. I remember having cherry tomato wars with my siblings, picking cotton from the trees in his backyard and eating his polenta. I also remember looking at the moon from the porch and feeling overwhelmed by its power, its mystery, and by the fact that it surely knew everything about my future (but it wouldn't tell me). In terms of landscapes, I am not sure where the memories of this TV series end and where those from my childhood at grandpa Octavio’s little ranch begin. READ MORE>

--> Olivia Shetler

As a child, I used to be rather awful at sports; I had a hard time understanding certain rules and methodology and I found using tools in physical activities to be cumbersome. For a while, I thought I would give up on organized team sports and instead relegate my time to other studies. It wasn’t until I discovered capoeira that I found a sport I could truly fall in love with, and it isn’t necessarily because of its style, but also because of its community, and the dedication that unites so many people from various backgrounds. READ MORE>

Ladies and gentlemen, senhoras e senhores!

Let me introduce you to one of Brazil's most important stage artists... Cacilda Becker!

Born in 1921 in the city of Pirassununga in the state of São Paulo, raised by her mother along with 2 sisters and with very little money, Cacilda became one of the biggest names in the history of Brazil and Brazilian theater. She left us early, at age 48, while on stage: At the end of the first act of the play Waiting for Godot, Cacilda had a stroke. She had been working as an actress for 30 years.  READ MORE>

 --> Feijoada

It was lunch time and I was debating if I should have a salad or if I should enfiar o pé na jaca* and go put those frozen pãezinhos de queijo in the oven. I was about to get up and go make that salad when I came across a website about nothing more nothing less than Brazilian food.

FoodSpring is a website about the culture of food. They have a section on Brazilian food culture, including a nice list of traditional Brazilian dishes with a brief description of each. Some of my favorites are there: coxinha, empadinha, farofa, churros. How could I possibly get up and make that salad? READ MORE>

The Center for Latin American Studies is teaming with the San Francisco Latino Film Festival to present a free screening of the new Brazilian film Teus Olhos Meus (Soulbound in English). I'd like to thank Beth Perry, Program Coordinator at the Center for Latin American Studies, for sending me this info. READ MORE>

Professora Renata and I have just launched our first book. We are very excited about it, and feel confident that you will have a ton of fun while you learn the Portuguese that we really speak in Brazil. READ MORE>

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American dads must be excited about their special day this coming June 18th. Brazilian dads, however, will have to wait a little more to celebrate because Dia dos Pais (Father’s Day) in Brazil is celebrated on the second Sunday of August. The tradition is the same as in The U.S. Usually, children make cards and help their mothers buy presents for papai (daddy). On Sunday, families get together for a special lunch or dinner. READ MORE>

----> Legião Urbana

Twenty five years ago the song Eduardo e Mônica, by the band Legião Urbana, became an integral part of Brazilian pop culture. Now cell phone carrier Vivo partnered with O2 Filmes to recreate the story in a short movie. O2 belongs to Fernando Meirelles, director of City of God, The Constant Gardener, and Blindness. I hope that you are at least curious to learn more about Eduardo and Monica :) READ MORE>

One of my favorite things about visiting Brazil is regarding the African influence on the culture. The food, the rythms, the dance the clothing, the lengends; it gives me a truly warm feeling inside. Coming from a Zimbabwean family, these aspects of Brazil bring back fond memories of my childhood experiencing those same things. READ MORE>

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In the beginning of December, I wrote about why and how I taught myself Portuguese. The reason I wrote about the subject is that of all the questions I usually get asked, it ranks in the top three. The other two are "Why do you like Brazil?" and…well, it's not exactly a question, per se, but it should be. The third thing I get asked indirectly, and by Brazilians themselves, is "What is special about us?" Such a question (if a Brazilian were to ask me directly) usually requires that I answer the second question on why I like Brazil, which, by the way, would take several pages to answer thoroughly. READ MORE>