Portuguese

Oi! Are you ready to learn few words in Portuguese?

Maybe you won't speak Portuguese so quickly, but if you learn a few words you may understand what the locals are saying or what is written on the signs and will grab important information while in Brazil. You can always try Spanish if you need, but many words are similar to Portuguese with a total different meaning. So try to learn few words in this beautiful language :)

• Airport: Aeroporto
• Exit: Saída
• Entrance: Entrada
• Bus: Ônibus
• Bus Stop: Ponto de ônibus
• Me: Eu
• You: Você
• Stadium: Estádio
• Soccer: Futebol
• Please: Por favor
• Thank you: Obrigado
• Do you speak English?: Você fala inglês?
• Good morning: Bom dia
• Hi, how are you?: Oi, tudo bem?
• How much is it?: Quanto custa?
• Can you help me?: Você pode me ajudar?
• I want: Eu quero
• I need: Eu preciso
• Money: Dinheiro
• Menu: Cardápio
  
• Appetizer: Aperitivo
• Straw: Canudo
• Restroom: Banheiro
• Pharmacy: Farmácia
• Medicine: Remédio
• I'm pregnant: Estou grávida
• I'm allergic: Eu tenho alergia
• Pain: Dor
• Fever: Febre
• Bug spray: Repelente
• Sun screen: Protetor solar
• Beach: Praia
• Without sugar: Sem açúcar
• Sparklin water: água com gás
• Ice: Gelo
• Natural juice: suco natural
• I can't: Eu não posso
• Cold: Frio
• Hot: Calor (for climate) / Quente (for temperature)
• What time is it?: Que horas são?
• Let's go: Vamos
• The game will start: O jogo vai começar
• Ticket: Ingresso

I hope this was a helpful post. If my readers want I can teach you new words later on. 

Let me know.

Brazilian Football

Hello dear readers!
You all know that the amazing Spain has won the last World Cup in South Africa, and that Italy has won the 2006 World Cup in Germany... 
Take a look on the most recent FIFA's ranking*:

1. Spain
2. Germany
3. Argentina
4. Colombia
5. Belgium

*updated on October 18, 2013

Brazil is not even on Top 10... so what makes Brazil always a favorite? What makes Brazil so special when we talk about soccer / football?

Brazil is the only country to win the World Cup 5 times, the only country to be present in every single edition. On Fifa's all-time ranking Brazil is still the number one, followed by Italy and Argentina. Have you heard names such as Ronaldo? Rivaldo? Kaká? How about Pelé? Yes you sure have, and you have heard many other names because Brazilians have always been among the best players in the world. Football is by far our biggest passion, our most popular sport. Our players are serious about winning, but not so serious after every goal scored! They love to perform dances, create different choreographies to each game, they are always smiling, showing the world the beautiful game. Football has the power of uniting people from different backgrounds, it reflects the happiness that is always present in our lives. 

Brazil has always been a happy place on Earth, and lately it has shown that is also synonym of progress, opportunity, and stable economy. Brazil is modern, and diverse. We are ready to host amazing events starting next month up to the following years and you are invited to come to our country and celebrate with us.

Friendly Games:

Next game: June 3rd, 2014
Brazil x Panamá at Serra Dourada - Goiânia

Next game: June 6th, 2014
Brazil x Serbia at Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Buy your tickets at totalacesso.com.br

The video below shows how Brazil got their famous uniform.

 

Beach Culture: Futevôlei

The story of futevôlei is quite interesting, it tells a lot about the Brazilian culture, specially the carioca culture. Carioca is how those born in Rio are called, they were the ones who invented this sport and are the ones who play the most. Futevôlei is present in carioca's daily routine, it has everything to do with their way of life.

In 1965 the police decided to forbid playing football at the beach in Copacabana, so Mr. Otávio de Moraes decided to play it at the volleyball court, with the net, which was allowed. 
Even though it was invented in Rio, cities like Santos, Guarujá, Florianópolis, Recife, Brasilia, and Goiania also enjoy practicing this original sport. Recently futevôlei spread among other countries, such as USA (Florida, California and Virginia), Paraguay, Australia and many countries in Europe.

flickr/portalpucrio

Usually futevôlei is played with two players on each side, but it can also be played with only one person on each side. Basically futevôlei is a beach volleyball played without using the hands, each team can touch the ball the maximum of three times and the minimum  of one, including when the ball touches the player by chance. Also one player cannot hold the other to reach the ball. The ball can be touched with any part of the body excluding hands, arms and forearm.

Well, of course watching is much more fun than reading, so I included here a video where you can watch people playing this beautiful sport in Rio.

Comparing the balls:

Beach soccer: 68 to 70 cm (same measurement as the regular field ball, but lighter).

Beach volleyball: 65 to 67 cm

Futevôlei: Size 5, is water proof and some brands have the FIFA Aproved quality mark.

Have you played or watched futevôlei before? Tell us what you think.

Facts About Brazil

It is hard to define such a diverse nation such as Brazil. People love stereotypes, but in my point of view they are usually not fair. I know Rio is the most famous city in Brazil and one of the most famous and beautiful cities in the world, but Brazil goes beyond. And this is what I want to show you. 

There will be 12 host cities spread around this land and I want to make sure I tell you all about them. There are some similarities, but they are all very particular and unique.

For now I want to show you few general facts about Brazil that you might, or might not know:

1. Brazil is the largest country in South America and the world’s fifth largest.
2. Its official name is Federal Republic of Brazil. 
   
3. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic or Protestant. Brazil is a very religious country. 
4. Brazil is formed by 26 states and a Federal District. The capital of Brasil is Brasilia. 
5. The official language is Portuguese. We are the only country in America that speak the language.
6. In 1500 Brazil was discovered by the Portuguese, and in 1815 we became United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. Yes, the Portuguese Real Family moved to Brazil and Rio was then the capital of the Kingdom. You can actually visit their residence at Quinta da Boa Vista, in Rio and one of their castles in Petropolis, RJ.
7. The first name given to this country was Vera Cruz Island since the Portuguese travellers had no idea of the size of the territory they discovered.
8. Brazil became independent in 1822. There is a beautiful museum in São Paulo where you can also visit, the Ipiranga Museum, where the independence was proclaimed. 
9. The origin of the name Brazil is still not totally known, but it is probably because of the beautiful woods founded at the time of the discovery that were totally exploited by the Portuguese. You will find beautiful bows and utensils made of this wood called Pau-Brasil. 
   
10. Feijoada is a traditional black beans and pork stew that used to be made by the slaves (prior 1888) and now it is appreciated in every state of Brazil and internationally famous. This dish is served with white rice, collard green and farofa. (You may need a nap after this).
11. There are over 7 million lebanese descendants in Brazil. More than the population of Lebanon.
12. There are 6 climatic regions in Brazil: equatorial, tropical, semi-arid, highland tropical, atlantic tropical and subtropical
13. Football in Brazil is serious stuff. It is by far the most popular sport over here, it is so popular that people say: “I’m going to play ball.” or “I’m going to watch the game tonight.” and everyone knows they are talking about soccer. Football, or soccer, is present in our lives all the time, just like a religion.  
14. Brazil is the only nation who was present in every single World Cup edition.
15. Brazilians are in general very friendly and generous people. If you have any trouble trying to speak Portuguese, you can try Spanish, or English. But if none of the alternatives work, don’t worry, they will try to communicate and help you no matter what!

*Watch what Antony Bourdain says about feijoada: "The perfect dish".