Archive for 'Uncategorized'
An Amazon Delicacy Posted by Rachel on Dec 30, 2008
Though to outsiders it may seem like a disgusting pest, the maniuara ant is actually considered a delicacy by several indigenous tribes in the Amazon. The ant has a large head and jaws, and can draw blood when humans are bitten. Women are responsible for hunting the maniuara, and they follow the ants to the…
Off the Beaten Path: Part III Posted by Rachel on Dec 29, 2008
Many foreigners that travel to Brazil come for the beaches or the Amazon, but not many know that Brazil’s southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, is more akin to Italy or Argentina than to Rio de Janeiro or Salvador. Originally settled by Italian and German immigrants, the area is famous for being the home of…
Brazil Environmental News Posted by Rachel on Dec 24, 2008
Let’s take a look at headlines from this week related to the environment and the Amazon. Forest Plan in Brazil Bears the Traces of an Activist’s Vision, New York Times Guia virtual mostra cantos dos sapos da Amazônia, O Globo Hundreds of Brazil’s Eco-warriors at Risk for Assassination, Guardian UK Lula quer melhor Exército para…
Unexpected Creatures Posted by Rachel on Dec 22, 2008
Last week, after Madonna’s departure from Rio de Janeiro, two unexpected guests appeared: a Teiu lizard and a mother and baby whale. The lizard, unusual in cities, was spotted in the Botanical Gardens. The largest lizard in South America, it inhabits forest areas south of the Amazon where it eats eggs, fruit, and small…
Planning Your Trip to Rio Posted by Rachel on Dec 19, 2008
High tourist season has begun in Brazil, and since many international tourists spend part or all of their time in Rio, I’m going to give you some helpful resources for planning your trip. Check out the floating Christmas tree on the Lagoon, the largest of its kind in the world Take a ride on the…
Off the Beaten Path: Part II Posted by Rachel on Dec 18, 2008
In this series, we’ll explore lesser known tourist attractions in Brazil, especially in harder to reach places. Today, we’re going to take a look at Ilha do Mosqueiro, an island located in the Pará River, seventy kilometers from the city of Belém. The island boasts thirteen freshwater beaches along seventeen kilometers of the river. Besides…
The Seven-Legged Cow Posted by Rachel on Dec 15, 2008
This week, a cow with seven legs was born in the village of Rondonópolis in Mato Grosso, and has become an attraction in a very rural area of Brazil. According to a vet who examined the animal, the problem is congenital, and could have been caused by exposure to radiation or toxic chemicals, or the…