Transportation Vocabulary Posted by Rachel on Feb 5, 2009
Today, we’re going to take a look at some transportation terms. avião = plane jato = jet helicóptero = helicopter aeróstato = blimp auto / carro = car van = van taxi = cab motocicleta = motorcycle bicicleta = bike caminhão = truck ônibus = bus metrô = subway trem = train bonde = streetcar…
NGO Focus: Luta pela Paz Posted by Rachel on Feb 4, 2009
Luta pela Paz, also known as Fight for Peace, was established in the Complexo de Maré favela in Rio de Janeiro in 2000. One of the city’s most violent favelas, many teenagers with few job or educational opportunities join drug trafficking gangs and work as soldiers for traffickers. To combat this, the non-profit Luta pela…
Brazilian President Raises Minimum Wage Posted by Rachel on Feb 3, 2009
Effective February 1st, the national minimum wage in Brazil was raised to R$465 per month (US$201) from R$415 by order of the Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The salary increase is expected to affect twenty percent of the Brazilian population, about 42 million people. However, each state has its own legal minimum wage…
Happy Iemanjá Day! Posted by Rachel on Feb 2, 2009
Today in the northern Brazilian city of Salvador is the Festival of Iemanja, the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea. Known as the queen of the sea, she brings protection to fisherman, pregnant women and children. The main celebration in Salvador takes place on Rio Vermelho beach, where thousands of worshippers dressed in white descend to…
Podcast: Shopping for Clothes Posted by Rachel on Jan 30, 2009
This week, we’re going to look at language to use when shopping for clothing, specifically men’s clothing. After you listen to the podcast, make sure you check out the BYKI list. Click the link below to hear the podcast. Clothing Podcast Estou procurando uma camisa polo e calças cáqui. A marca não importa, mas quero…
World Social Forum Kicks Off in Belém Posted by Rachel on Jan 29, 2009
This week, the northern Brazilian city of Belém is hosting the World Social Forum, a meeting of leftist groups meant to counter the Davos World Economic Forum currently taking place in Switzerland. 100,000 people from environmental groups, feminist organizations, non-profits, religious organizations, and other groups have flocked to Brazil to discuss global issues, the most…
Economic Crisis Hits Rio Carnival Posted by Rachel on Jan 28, 2009
The global economic crisis has begun to affect Brazil, with mass lay-offs and budget cuts. The latest victim of the crisis is Rio de Janeiro’s world famous Carnival celebration. First, price increases are hitting the samba schools hard. Materials used to create costumes and floats have are now much more expensive after a 7% increase…