CAPOEIRA

Hello everyone! Today we're gonna talk about this interesting Brazilian game called capoeira. Yes, I said game because in contrast to what many people believe, capoeira is not a fight. Mestre Nenéu from Salvador explains that "the capoeiras never play against each other, but with one another".

by diglips on flickr 

The origin of capoeira is still in discussion, but is believed that capoeira was invented in Brazil by African slaves coming from Angola.

by henrique sfeir on flickr

There are two types of capoeira, the Regional and Angola, there are some differences between them, but both have the same principles such as greeting one another before de game starts lowering the body close to the berimbau, being clean and wearing the correct outfit.

by garrynight

Berimbau is the main instrument that gives rhythm to the game. The origin is also unknown, in Cuba this very instrument is called sambi, pandigurao, or burumbumba. Berimbau is made with a curved piece of wood, a steal wire, and a dry cabaça. The instrument you see on his right hand is a rattle made of straw called caxixi, on the inside there are dry seeds to make noise. The other instruments used at capoeira are: reco-reco, pandeiro, agogô and atabaque.

Actors such as Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes and Eddie Murphy use capoeira techniques to train their fight scenes.  Watch now a scene from the movie Only The Strong from 1993 where the main character plays capoeira with the Brazilians.

While in Brazil you will end up spotting a group of people playing capoeira. In Salvador on weekends evenings at Terreiro de Jesus, and on Saturdays night there are presentations at Santo Antônio Além do Carmo. You can always consult your traveler agents for more locations in other cities. Ask also about capoeira workshops.

SONGS: Skank

I've chosen this band for today's post because they are one of my favorite Brazilian bands. Skank's songs are always present in nice moments of our lives, they are considered a pop/rock band but usually they mix reggae beats and the result is great. Hope you enjoy!

multishow.globo.com

The band was formed in 1991 in Belo Horizonte, the songs on their first album were very original, they introduced reggae beats to their pop songs, and this mix worked very well. They became famous quite quickly. Their second album in 1994 sold more a million copies. With their third album "Samba Poconé" they were invited to play in many European countries, in South America and US.

In 2010 they recorded a DVD at Mineirão, one of the stadiums that will receive matches during Confederations and World Cup.

They have won the Multishow Brazilian Music Award for best song, best concert, and Samuel Rosa has won as best singer in 2010.

Watch the video of their show at Mineirão, Belo Horizonte: Skank - Jackie Tequila

More... they will play at Rock in Rio in September. 

Beach Culture: Frescobol

Frescobol first began on the beaches of Copacabana, after the second World War by Mr. Lian Pontes  de Carvalho. This game is played basically for fun, there is no competition or rivalry. You only need two racquets and a small ball, usually it's played close to the water. Frescobol is played along the entire Brazilian coast, and of course other countries are now playing it as well.

Now tell me... wouldn't it be perfect to order some food and drinks at the sand after sweating playing frescobol? Check my other posts on beach snacks and beverage.

fbcollection.com

Watch this video with Samantha Brown and get to know more about Brazil's beach culture.

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.

Beach Culture: Special delivery...

Hi there! Getting excited about coming to Brazil?

Are you planning on going to the beach? I'm sure you are...

Here you will see something really cool, you can order food and drinks from the comfort of your chair, under the shade of a coconut tree or your tent... so you can enjoy longer hours in this deserved leisure... What do you think? Great, isn't it? Just check what will be waiting for you... 

viajeaqui

jmemo.wordpress.com

Special delivery...

• Coconut water (água de côco) - it comes cold with a straw... delicious and sweet, perfect to hydrate.
• Popsicle and ice-cream - there are many natural flavors such as mango, acerola, papaya with orange, strawberry, coconut with pieces of coconut in it yum... lime, passionfruit... 
• Corn on the cob (milho verde) - the corn is salty, very tasteful. You can add butter if you want.
• Toasted cheese on a stick - very popular in many beaches, the guy toasts it right in front of you.
• Peanuts (amendoim) and Cashew nuts (castanha de caju) - very popular as well, I would advice you to buy a little more and bring with you to the hotel... you will need a little snack later.
• Beer - check my post about beer and find out which is the right for you.
• Caipirinha - check my post about caipirinha to understand what it is and how it's made.
• Tapioca - it is made of yuca flour, looks like a tortilla. You can order filled with coconut and condensed milk or cheese, ham, chicken, it varies. 
• Queijadinha - pastry made of coconut... addicting! looks like a mini pie... delicious... I mean, take many of them with you back home and share with the loved ones!
• Shrimp on a stick - if you hear anything similar to this, it means the shrimp guy is coming: "Olha o camarãooooooo"!! ;)

Hope you guys have a wonderful beach experience!

I'd like to be, under the sea

In an octopus' garden in the shade

He'd let us in, knows where we've been

in his octupus' garden, in the shade.

I'd ask my friends to come and see

An octopus' garden with me

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus' garden in the shade...