Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
The Brown's Honeymoon
Brazil - Waxing Lyrical
As we have just left Brazil, we thought it would be prudent to pass on some of our observations and reflections on the wonderful people and culture of the country;
Cuisine
The cuisine in Brazil we found to be mostly delicious and a lot more varied than the steak and red wine of Argentina (not that it wasn't delicious!).
There is more fruit in Brazil then there are English words to describe them! Honestly, it's unbelievable - there are things that look like pineapples that taste of feet and things that look like feet that taste of pineapple! These fruit are best enjoyed in a suco bar - basically a smoothie bar that whizzes up all these fruits and makes drinks out of them.
Brazillians, it must be said, have a VERY sweet tooth. They add sugar to these sucos (fair enough, some are bitter - but mango?!) and the breakfasts are basically what we would have at afternoon tea!! Always a couple of sponge cakes, plus pancakes, caramelised bananas, banana bread, fruit (with sugar) chocolate - all a bit much for 8 o'clock in the morning! Still, we got used to it...
Drinking
There's not a big drinking culture in Brazil. Well, there is, but they all drink Skol. Skol - a lager so weak that it's being enjoyed by 13 yr olds all over parks in Britain. Still, the Brazillians seem to like it and it stops them getting crazy drunk - so a good thing really. It just takes some getting used to for our refined British pallets - especially as it only gets served in 330ml cans!
Recycling
A subject close to my heart! And you wouldn't believe the efficiency of the Brazillians and their recycling, but its not the middle or upper classes that recycle. No, they chuck out everything, knowing that in the night the poor will rifle through their rubbish and take any cans, bottles, cardboard they can and take it to the local recycling plant. It's not for the good of the world mind - they get paid about 4 GBP for every massive bin liner they fill with crushed up cans, so often it's their only source of income. Often you can be drinking a can (of Skol!) and someone (or even a family) will hang around to take it off you. It's a very effective method of waste management, but not the nicest!
Tattoos
Especially in the main city, everyone seems to own one! Mostly on the ankle or calf. Plus you always get to see them - people have no qualms about wandering around in just their cossies / Speedos all round town - not something we have taken up!
Love Motels
Not exclusive to Brazil, but prevalent throughout...the charge by the hour love motel! There are multiple and they are huge - mostly located on the edge of town. We have been told that the reason for their popularity is that the youth of Brazil don't have any 'makeout' spots as such, because as soon as one gets popular gangs get wind of it and go there to carjack the vehicles off the poor unsuspecting lovers!
We are yet to stay at one...because Russ doesn't think he'll need hour and is looking for a 'by the minute' version!!!
Days of the week
Interesting little side note this - but the translation for the days of the week in Brazil are
Monday = 2nd fair
Tuesday = 3rd fair etc
so asking for something on Monday the 3rd is like asking for something on "the 3rd, the 2nd day"...confusing
All in all, we loved Brazil. A little more expensive than we imagined, but a huge place full of great people, varying cultures and environment. Heartily recommended to all!
Cuisine
The cuisine in Brazil we found to be mostly delicious and a lot more varied than the steak and red wine of Argentina (not that it wasn't delicious!).
There is more fruit in Brazil then there are English words to describe them! Honestly, it's unbelievable - there are things that look like pineapples that taste of feet and things that look like feet that taste of pineapple! These fruit are best enjoyed in a suco bar - basically a smoothie bar that whizzes up all these fruits and makes drinks out of them.
Brazillians, it must be said, have a VERY sweet tooth. They add sugar to these sucos (fair enough, some are bitter - but mango?!) and the breakfasts are basically what we would have at afternoon tea!! Always a couple of sponge cakes, plus pancakes, caramelised bananas, banana bread, fruit (with sugar) chocolate - all a bit much for 8 o'clock in the morning! Still, we got used to it...
Drinking
There's not a big drinking culture in Brazil. Well, there is, but they all drink Skol. Skol - a lager so weak that it's being enjoyed by 13 yr olds all over parks in Britain. Still, the Brazillians seem to like it and it stops them getting crazy drunk - so a good thing really. It just takes some getting used to for our refined British pallets - especially as it only gets served in 330ml cans!
Recycling
A subject close to my heart! And you wouldn't believe the efficiency of the Brazillians and their recycling, but its not the middle or upper classes that recycle. No, they chuck out everything, knowing that in the night the poor will rifle through their rubbish and take any cans, bottles, cardboard they can and take it to the local recycling plant. It's not for the good of the world mind - they get paid about 4 GBP for every massive bin liner they fill with crushed up cans, so often it's their only source of income. Often you can be drinking a can (of Skol!) and someone (or even a family) will hang around to take it off you. It's a very effective method of waste management, but not the nicest!
Tattoos
Especially in the main city, everyone seems to own one! Mostly on the ankle or calf. Plus you always get to see them - people have no qualms about wandering around in just their cossies / Speedos all round town - not something we have taken up!
Love Motels
Not exclusive to Brazil, but prevalent throughout...the charge by the hour love motel! There are multiple and they are huge - mostly located on the edge of town. We have been told that the reason for their popularity is that the youth of Brazil don't have any 'makeout' spots as such, because as soon as one gets popular gangs get wind of it and go there to carjack the vehicles off the poor unsuspecting lovers!
We are yet to stay at one...because Russ doesn't think he'll need hour and is looking for a 'by the minute' version!!!
Days of the week
Interesting little side note this - but the translation for the days of the week in Brazil are
Monday = 2nd fair
Tuesday = 3rd fair etc
so asking for something on Monday the 3rd is like asking for something on "the 3rd, the 2nd day"...confusing
All in all, we loved Brazil. A little more expensive than we imagined, but a huge place full of great people, varying cultures and environment. Heartily recommended to all!
- comments