IT'S TIME FOR AMERICA TO WAKE UP...TO THE RISING GIANT IN THE SOUTH

Is Brazil's Economy Getting to hot?

BILLIONAIRES

Is Brazil’s Economy Getting Too Hot?

Image via Wikipedia

Last night 60 Minutes featured a segment on Brazil entitled “The World’s Next Economic Superpower.” Eike Batista, Brazil’s richest man and the world’s eighth richest man (profiled by Forbes  in March) told Steve Kroft that it’s time for Americans to “wake up” to the economic giant to their south.

Many Americans have already been awake to Brazil for at least some time.

Just today, General Electric demonstrated its interest in Brazil when it announced a plan to buy subsea pipeline manufacturer Wellstream Holdings, which derives a “substantial portion” of revenues from Brazil, for $1.3 billion.

WORLD BUSINESS: THE WORLD'S #1 OFFSHORE BANKING HAVEN

Offshore Banking In Belize

The World's #1 Offshore Banking Haven

Dec. 9, 2010, Belize City, Belize: As the international banking industry continues to collapse, Belize emerges as perhaps the most appealing banking industry in the world right now.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

"Belize is a custom-made banking haven," explained Peter Zipper to the group convened for our Emergency Offshore Summit last week. Peter is

THE ART OF CAPOEIRA IN BRAZIL

A lot of people were exposed to Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art, thru this guy right here, Eddy Gordo from the game Tekken (and also the movie Tekken).  The way that Capoeira in Brazil developed has made the martial art a worldwide cultural phenomenom.  You can now find Capoeira schools all over the world.

There is a great Brazilian movie called Besouro that was filmed right in the Mecca of Capoeira, the state of Bahia.  Bahia is where Capoeira was created and also where the culture is strongest.  Back to Besouro, check  it out.  It's like a Capoeira Kung Fu movie (complete with high-wire special effects made popular by Kung Fu flicks) where actual figures from Brazilian/Bahian history have there stories told in super hero fashion.  The main character is definitely larger than life in the movie.  If you are a fan or practitioner of Capoeira you have to check out this film. 

article found here:

Capoeira in Brazil

Capoeira (Portuguese pronunciation: [kapuˈejɾɐ]) is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance. It was created in Brazil by African slaves by mixing the many fighting styles from many of their tribes, sometime after the sixteenth century.^[1] It was developed in the region of Quilombo dos Palmares, located in the Brazilian state of Alagoas, which was the state of Pernambuco before dismemberment,^[2] and has had great influence on Afro-Brazilian generations, with strong presence in the states of Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.^[2] Participants form a roda, or circle, and take turns either playing musical instruments (such as the Berimbau), singing, or ritually sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. The sparring is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, takedowns, and with extensive use of leg sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. Less frequently used techniques include elbow strikes, slaps, punches, and body throws. Its origins and purpose are a matter of debate, with theories ranging from views of Capoeira as a uniquely Brazilian folk dance with improvised fighting movements to claims that it is a battle-ready fighting form directly descended from ancient African techniques.^[3]

Etymology

The word "capoeira" had a probable origin as a derisive term used by slave owners to refer to its practice as chicken fights (the word literally means "chicken coop" in Portuguese). Another claim is that the word "capoeira" derives from the Native-American language Tupi-Guarani words kaá ("leaf", "plant") and puéra (past aspect marker), meaning "formerly a forest."^{[citation needed]}

Afro-Brazilian art form

Capoeira in Brazil is a direct descendant of African fighting styles, and was incorporated with Brazilian dance form distilled from African slaves in Brazil which is in essence from various African and Brazilian influences.^[3]

CANDOMBLÉ

Candomblé

 

This was taken from Wikipedia.
Candomblé is an African-originated or Afro-Brazilian religion, practised chiefly in Brazil by the "povo de santo" (people of saint). It originated in the cities of Salvador, the capital of Bahia and Cachoeira, at the time one of the main commercial crossroads for the distribution of products and slave trade to other parts of Bahia state in Brazil. Although Candomblé is practiced primarily in Brazil, it is also practiced in other countries in the Americas, including Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Mexico, and in Europe in Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The religion is based in the anima (soul) of Nature, and is also known as Animism. It was developed in Brazil with the knowledge of African Priests that were enslaved and brought to Brazil, together with their mythology, their culture and language, between 1549 and 1888.

The rituals involve the possession of the initiated by Orishas, offerings and sacrifices of the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdom, healing, dancing/trance and percussion. Candomblé draws inspiration from a variety of people of the African Diaspora, but it mainly features aspects of Yoruba orisha veneration.

Overview

In many parts of the Latin America, Orishás are now conflated with Roman Catholic saints. This religion, like many African religions, is an oral tradition and therefore has not been put into text throughout the years. Only recently have scholars and people of this religion begun to write down their practices. The name Batuque is also used, especially before the 19th century when Candomblé became more common. Both words are believed to derive from a Bantu-family language, mainly that of (Kongo Kingdom).

Candomblé may be called Macumba in some regions, notably Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, although

Random Traveller Stories: Brazil Through Foreign Eyes Pt 6

Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

Meet Richard Gant, from the USA, who travels regularly to Brazil on business, and tries to spend as much time here as possible. Read the following interview where he tells us about his most memorable experiences from Brazil and gives some useful advice to newcomers.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?

I have had a love for Brazil since I saw the movie Black Orpheus when I was a young boy in Seattle, Washington. Before I first arrived Brazilian music was my connection. Artists like Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Jorge Ben, Cateano Veloso, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira and many many artists who collaborated with American Jazz musicians. Even Sergio Mendes, when I was a kid. Today I work as a sports agent and operate a sports and entertainment marketing firm in the US. We have been expanding our business in Brazil. I have lived in New York City most of my adult life and now try to spend part of the year in Brazil. Mostly Rio de Janeiro. But as business is done in Såo Paulo one must go there.

2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?

My first trip to Brazil was in 2003 and I spoke

Random Traveller Stories: Brazil Through Foreign Eyes Pt 5

Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

January 27, 2009

Meet Stephan Hughes who first travelled to Brazil in 1995, and subsequently moved to Brazil to live. Read the following interview in which he tells us about some of his most memorable experiences and gives some useful advice to newcomers.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?

I'm from Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island republic in the Caribbean. Like most gringoes in Brazil, I work with language teaching, translation and some simultaneous translation. But I spend most of my time teaching English.

2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?

I got here for the first time in 1995 and spent a year in Brasilia. I returned home for 6 months then came to Rio de Janeiro to do a First Class degree in Letters/Humanities. Since then, I have also done an M.A. in Linguistics and several short graduate courses, apart from working with teaching.

3. What were you first impressions of Brazil?

They were the best possible. I came to soak up as much as possible of the culture and to blend with the people. What amazed me was the hospitality and the ease with which people welcomed me. People in Rio are easy conversationalists, in the space

Random Traveller Stories: Brazil Through Foreign Eyes Pt 4

Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

Meet Kyron Gibbs, who has worked with dance and theatre in Los Angeles, and has travelled many times to different areas of Brazil. Read the following interview where he tells us about his most memorable experiences from Brazil and gives some useful advice to newcomers.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?

Hello I am a 28 year old black male from Los Angeles, California. I teach dance at an afterschool program. My students range from 7 years old to 11 years old. They‘re all girls.

I am also a working actor here in Los Angeles. I work for a interactive theatre company that tours local school and performs shows on sex, drugs, peer pressure and decision making

2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?

I arrived in Brazil for the first time in October of 2003, I was invited by two of my friends. I didnt know anything about Brazil. My two older friends are in their mid forties. since I haven‘t gone outside of the united states I thought that this trip would be nice.

3. What were you first impressions of Brazil?

My first impression of brazil was that the people were very friendly and very helpful even though they did not know me personally. The culture was very diverse and I saw many people from various backgrounds, African, Japanese, and Indian. All of these

Random Traveller Stories: Brazil Through Foreign Eyes Pt 3

Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

Meet Lee Gordon, from the USA, who has travelled to Brazil many times, as well as meeting his wife there. Read the following interview where he tells us about his most memorable experiences from Brazil and gives some useful advice to newcomers.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?

I'm American, born in Seattle, Washington, where I live currently with my wife, Eloisa and our 15-month old daughter, Isabella. Eloisa is Carioca from Ilha do Governador, and Isabella became a dual citizen a month after she was born last year. I've also lived in Northern California two separate times. My family is creole, originally from Louisiana.

Originally, my field was biotechnology, where I spent over fifteen years. Now, I have started a company with some partners, one of whom is Cabo Verdeano. We're launching our empire!

My long-term goal is to one day live in Brazil with business in Brazil, the US, Dubai, and other international locations.

2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?

In college, I was a world-class sprinter, and traveled internationally. My friends also competed in international track meets, and had wonderful things to say about Brazil. I was

Random Traveller Stories: Brazil Through Foreign Eyes Pt 2

Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

Meet Atlanta Foresyth, from the USA, who has travelled to Brazil many times, works with Brazilian music, and is opening a pousada in Brazil. Read the following interview where she tells us about her most memorable experiences from Brazil and gives some useful advice to newcomers.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?

I'm a vocalist, dancer and actress currently living in New York, but slowly making the move to Brazil. I grew up in a small town in northwest Florida, and my mother is a Cape Verdean American, so I always felt a strong connection with Brazilians and Brazil. Many people aren't aware that Cape Verde even exists, so I've always told people that my heritage is Brazilian. I've never been to Cape Verde and I travel to Brazil about twice a year.

Here in New York, I work with an ensemble of dancers called Brasilierando (the act of being Brazilian), DJs who love Brazilian music or Brazilian musicians. In Brazil, I'm opening a pousada.

2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?

I first came to Brazil in 2002, a few months after Sept 11 happened in New York City. I was in the building, and after a few months of just feeling disconnected to all the things I thought meant so much (work, money, the city), I escaped to the beaches of Rio and Salvador to re-evaluate my life.

3. What were you first impressions of Brazil?

I knew of the beauty, but actually seeing it with my own eyes was an experience that chokes me up, even now. During my first flight, descending through the mountains and clouds in Rio, I cried because it felt like I was coming home. The poverty is staggering, even compared to the homeless problem we have here in New York City, but the spirit

Random Traveller Stories: Brazil Through Foreign Eyes Pt 1

Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

August 24, 2007

Meet Adrian Woods, from the USA, who has travelled to Brazil and the rest of Central and South America several times. Read the following interview where he tells us about some of his most memorable experiences from Brazil and gives some useful advice to newcomers.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?

I'm originally from Berkeley, California, USA. I've just returned to California after spending almost two years living in Rio de Janeiro teaching English.

2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?

This last trip was my third to Brazil. I first came to Brazil back in April, 1995. I was traveling all over Central and South America and stayed in Salvador, Bahia for 5 months and Sao Paulo for one month.

What originally attracted me to Brazil and Brazilian culture was going to

2nd Thoughts | FIFA Pres Thinks Brazil World Cup A Mistake

Brazil 2014 mistake?

FIFA President Sepp Blatter says Brazil might have been the wrong choice as host of the 2014 World Cup if the tournament is affected by similar social protests as at last month's Confederations Cup.

Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets during the warm-up tournament in June, demanding better public services and expressing their anger over the costs to stage the World Cup.

''If this happens again we have to question whether we made the wrong decision awarding the hosting rights,'' Blatter told German press agency DPA on Wednesday.

FIFA spoke with the Brazilian government after the Confederations Cup, and Blatter said he'll discuss the issue again with Brazil President Dilma Rousseff in September.

''We didn't do a political debriefing, but we did emphasize the fact of this social unrest being there for the entire duration of the Confederations Cup,'' he said. ''The government is now aware that next year the World Cup shouldn't be disturbed.

''To me, these protests were like alarm bells for the government, the senate, the parliament. They should work on it so that this is not going to happen again. Though protests, if peaceful, are part of democracy and therefore have to be accepted ... we are convinced the government, and especially the president, will find the words and the actions to prevent a repeat. They have a year to do so.''

Blatter was speaking at the start of a two-day conference on sports, media and economy set up by German great Franz Beckenbauer in Austria. FIFA later verified the comments were accurate.

Get It Together Brazil | World Cup Protests

Brazil appears to have hit a hiccup on the way to the World Cup taking place next year.  In all honesty the government and big investors should have seen this coming.

They have been lucky all of these years to have a (for the most part) population pacified enough to put up with the over-the-top corruption and blatant misuse of public funds.  Now it appears that the relatively quick completion of shiny new multi million dollar soccer stadiums across the country has provided a collective focus for the frustrations of many.

Citizens in this country are accustomed to third-rate construction jobs that tend to go over schedule and budget however the sudden appearance of first-rate quality stadiums all over the country present a contrast that is difficult to ignore.  In Salvador da Bahia the metro rail system is still twenty years in the making.  The Metro has become a running joke for most Soteropolitanos (term referring to the inhabitants of Salvador, Bahia).  It has taken so long to complete that the situation is ridiculous.

It is completely understandable why people would be upset given the conditions of the school system, hospitals, amongst other things.  The corruption is nothing new.  Brazilians did not just find out about it and start to get upset.  Most people just complain about the condition of the country but feel powerless to do anything about it.

Maybe things will finally change.  That remains to be seen.

If they want to really push these issues to the forefront they are going to have to do something about the looting and other issues that are spiraling out of control.  The protest is going to have to be organized and focused on a collective goal.  Otherwise the government will wind up lowering the cost of public transportation for one year and build a few new schools and that will be it.

Here is a video that went viral where a Brazilian girl shares her take on the matter (in English):

Making Super Smoothies With Acai for Optimum HealthBy Joe Naab
August 1st, 2012

Growing in both the Amazon Rainforest, as well as the subtropical South Atlantic Rainforest, is a palm tree called "Juçara" (joo-SAH-rah), that produces the widely popular fruit, "Açai" (ah-sigh-EE). Açai is consider if notthe, then one of the most very nutritious foods found on the planet. Sparing you the details, Açai is loaded with about every great vitamin and mineral your body needs, and it has great proteins, quality fats and is loaded with anti-oxidants.

Açai Must be Made into a Pulp
The açai berry has a very thick, inedible outer skin. At it's center is a woody seed. In between the seed and the outer skin is the rich and edible pulp. Note that even this pulp does not taste all that well. It is sour, not sweet, and almost always mixed with one or more other foods to improve the taste.

The pulp is extracted either with industrial-sized machines, artisan-sized machines, or by hand. In either case the process is about the same. The berries are soaked in warm water for a half hour. They are then put into a bowl (giant, large or small), and agitated in some way so as to break the outer skin of all the berries. A filter screen is put in place and water is passed through the berries repeatedly, flushing out the pulp. Hence, the pulp of açai always contains added water. Extra profit can be made by excessive diluting with water, and the typical supermarket frozen açai pulp is thin and weak. I buy mine at organic fairs or natural food markets.

Prostitutes in Brazil are Offered Free English Classes Before the World Cup

You gotta admit this story is kinda funny. Then again maybe its not.

Well, English is the international language of business and they say prostitution is the oldest profession on Earth.

English is more than likely to be the connector language for visitors to Brazil regardless of what country they are coming from.

I wonder who came up with this proposal?  That's pretty funny.
Out of all the different professions available someone felt the most important ones that need to be able to communicate with international tourists was the hookers.  AND other people agreed with him!