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…
Madonna Madness Hits Brazil Posted by Rachel on Dec 12, 2008
Madonna arrived in Rio de Janeiro this morning, on the Brazil leg of her international tour, where she will perform several sold-out shows in Rio and São Paulo. She’s currently staying at the Copacabana Palace, where fans have gathered to try to catch a glimpse of the singer. Outside of Maracana Stadium, where the Rio…
Brazil in the Headlines Posted by Rachel on Dec 11, 2008
Let’s take a look at the biggest stories in the foreign press about Brazil this week: Obama win forces Brazil to take a tolerance check, AP Brazil – Health and energy drinks taking fizz out of soft drinks, Emailwire A Tribe in Brazil struggles at the intersection of drugs and cultures, New York Times China…
Shopping Vocabulary in Portuguese Posted by Rachel on Dec 10, 2008
Today, we’re going to take a look at the names of different types of business establishments in Portuguese. shopping – mall loja – store pet shop – pet store loja de sapatos – shoe store loja de roupa – clothing store supermercado – supermarket hortifruti – produce store açougue – butcher shop padaria – bakery…
Off the Beaten Path Posted by Rachel on Dec 9, 2008
Today we’re starting a new series, “Off the Beaten Path,” to feature tourist attractions in Brazil that few foreigners know about. The Tapajós River runs from the north of Mato Grosso state through the Amazon all the way to Pará state. The river reaches 21 kilometers at its largest width, making it practically a freshwater…
São Paulo Wins Brasileirão 2008 Posted by Rachel on Dec 8, 2008
Brazil’s nationwide soccer championship came to a close yesterday when São Paulo FC won, beating Goiás 1-0. The championship included all Brazilian first division teams from cities across the country, and is arguably Brazil’s most important annual soccer event (aside from World Cup years). But the interesting thing about the Brasileirão championship is that the…
Brazilian Cooking Series: Part IV Posted by Rachel on Dec 5, 2008
Today, we’re going to learn about rabanada, a traditional Christmas dessert in Brazil. Rabanada is the Brazilian equivalent of French toast. To make it, you take slices of wheat bread and soak them in milk, wine, or sugar, slather them with eggs and fry them. When ready, they are usually coated in sugar and/or cinnamon…