Brazil Legend
I was visitng brazil one year and i came across an old man selling burnt wooden pictures and we got to talking and i asked him if he knew of any local legends he could shar with me and he gave me the following story.. It a story of a young blossoming girl named Vitoria Regia..
A young native related a story to me of the water lily tale, the Vitoria Regia. This tale belonged to the Tupi-guami tribe, a tribe of Indians who lived on the banks of the Great River, where young indigenous girls used to dream about the moon, the goddess Jaci, and the beauty of the stars.
A young girl, Neca-Neca, was told the story of an ancient belief that a fearsome but handsome and powerful warrior god lived on the moon. This young girl fell in love with the warrior on the moon as time passed and she turned her back on the young men of her tribe that her parents tried to get her interested in.
Neca-Neca waited patiently during the days that the moon was not visible, waiting for it to emerge in its full splendour each lunar cycle. She spent hours awake, staring into the sky, trying to see the face of her imagined love. She was often seen running through the jungle in the middle of the night, her arms outstretched trying to catch its rays and embrace her warrior lover as the moon shone at its fullest. But for Neca-Neca chasing the moonbeams was a hopeless task, the great love of her life remaining a distant dream.
Months later, disillusioned and sad because at not being able to touch the moon, Neca-Neca left her sleeping net. It was a clear night, a night with a full moon and there she was, large and beautiful, reflected in the waters. The moon shone high above the jacaranda trees in the cloudless sky and the young girl raced through the jungle till she came to the lake. Here she saw the brilliant reflection of the moon.
At last, she thought. My beloved has come down to earth to bathe in a pool.
Without a thought Neca-Neca plunged into the water to try to touch the moon. Too late she realised her mistake, realising it was only an illusion and the girl sadly drowned.
The moon felt sorry for this young native girl and decided to immortalise her on earth as she could not take her to the spirit realm and turn her into a star. The warrior god did indeed exist according to legend, taking pity on the beautiful girl who had loved him and died trying to embrace him. He transformed Neca-Neca into a star of the fresh flowing waters of the Amazon river, now a giant flower that reigns as queen of all aquatic plants, the giant water lily, Vitoria Regia, whose flower opens wide only at night.
It is said that the Vitoria Regia opens itself fully only on the nights when the moon is full and the sky cloudless and clear over the Amazon jungle.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Brazil
What are the Top ten reasons that you can think of to visit Brazil? Brazil is a country full of immense natural beauty. Exotic beaches and lush rain forests are a few of the wonderful attractions that await visitors and expats alike. Brazil is home to a wide variety of ethnic and biological diversity, Whose heritage is expressed within vibrantly colored art and huge celebrations. Historical cities of pre-Columbian through the Spanish landings await those who love to follow history. Here is a top ten list that includes some of these locations and sites that await you.
1. Brazilian Beaches
First on our list of top ten places to visit in Brazil is Nakaau, because along the coastal side of Brazil there are over fifteen hundred beaches to choose from. More than 500 islands dot the waters off the coast and preserve an undaunted natural beauty not seen anywhere else in the world. Most of the off shore island are protected natural habitats for many species of plants and animals. A great place to visit after a morning nap on the beach for a ecological adventure.
2. Amazing Landscapes & Ecosystems
There are several famous attractions in Brazil that are a must see relating to the ecological and biological diversity of the country. One of them is the Rio Grande Do sol. It is part of the Amazon rain forest and river. Also in the area is another attraction the great Iguaçu falls. Each of these attractions are worthwhile and with the urgent responses that need to preserve seriously endangered natural treasures, ecotourism and ecological protection travel initiatives are becoming common place. This makes it more possible for more visitors and travelers to enjoy Brazil in a more responsible way and it opens opportunities for local communities.
3. Cities and Towns
While visiting Brazil you will find that most of the population lives in the cities with tremendous urban sprawl. But, there are a lot of in valuable smaller historical towns to visit as well like Outo Preto along with the capitol, Brasilia. Also along the coast you have the famous Rio de Janerio and An Pablo that are defiantly on the wish list of most travelers.
4. Brazilian Culture
Brazilian Culture has been around for hundreds of years and it is made of a population of very divers and unique individuals. Each of these cultures has left a significant imprint on the modern society of Brazil. Each has their own notable expressions such as Bossa vova, capoeira, and the yellow soccer jersey. Each has their own strife in the fight for their culture identity. It is the people here who have truly made Brazil the wonderful place it is today.
5. Celebrations & Events
Of course what type of culture would Brazil have without the famous Canival. It is tremendous nationwide celebration. If it’s it one time a year to pick go between February and March this is a celebration that is not one you want to miss. Of course there is the annual Easter celebrations as well were caravans of people line up with prayers and walk to local mass to celebrate the rise of their lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Some other notable celebrations are listed here as well ….
Semana Santa – the Brazilian Holy Week
Festas Juninas
Festa do Divino
Festa Nacional do Índio
LGBT Pride Parade in São Paulo
St. Vito Festival
6. Brazilian Cuisine
Along with a diverse culture Brazil brings with its wonderful and diverse cooking as well. If your looking for chopped meat cooked in open fire pits or upscale restaurants most major cities will give you both. I always recommend to the adventure traveler to take a look at the local street vendors where you can get authentic meals still made the same way they were by their ancestors.
Brazil is becoming more and more famous for the great chefs it is bringing to the table. There are celebrations that will go along well with this through a lot of Brazils food festivals. Bring a losses belt and a sturdy fork so you can sample as much as possible.
A couple of food festivals that you might enjoy are:
Brasil Sabor, the largest culinary festival in Brazil
Comida di Buteco, the annual Belo Horizonte Bar Food Contest
7. Travel-Friendly Weather
Brazil is also a famous paradise for its unique weather that allows your chances while traveling to have a warm sunny vacation. Not all the time, not everywhere it’s always a wise decision to make sure your plans are in line with the predictions. But a majority of places like the northeastern coastal cities like Fortaleza have sunshine three hundred days out of the year. Of course the farther south the sunny days are great for shorts weather and trips to the beach. But also get chilly so you can light up the fire place and cuddle with your loved one at night.
8. Brazil’s Hotels
The one major industry that has taken great strides in improving is the major hotel chains. They are continuing to invest in a wide arrange of marketing and premium luxuries to help the weary traveler feel extra pampered. There is quite an increase in both up scale and moderate lodging. But be weary and specific c about what you want and you may be able to save a little bit of the green stuff in your wallet.
9. Tourism is a Priority to Brazil
The government of Brazil recently announced that the ministry of tourism will invest heavily in tourism of the privet sector in many cities and villages in the country. This really means better infrastructure, jobs, and improvement of community life for Brazilians all over the country. Making these improvements will no doubt lead Brazil to be in the top 10 destination in the world.
10. Brazil is a Gateway to South America
Finally the number ten reason that Brazil is the place to be..Brazil has awesome neighbors. Make it your hub to some of the greatest attractions in South America. With easy access to many countries you can have a month’s worth of adventure and still not see or do it all. But, enjoy it more and more every time you go.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Are You Going to Brazil
Brazil is the 5th largest country, both in terms of area and population, in the world.
Brazil is a geographically diverse country. The topography of Brazil ranges from the flat Amazon Basin, stretching from the north to the west, to the Brazilian Highlands in the south east rising to about 4000 feet. The highest point in Brazil is the Pico de Neblina (3014 m). The physical feature of the country is well depicted in the physical map of Brazil.
Brazil is divided into 26 states and one federal district. The Brazil political map points out the major cities and administrative divisions of the country. The largest state of Brazil is Amazons while the most densely populated state is Sao Paulo. Brasilia is the capital of Brazil.
Many of the cities in Brazil are truly amazing; the more popular and well known Brazilian cities include: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia. Each of these cities is rich with Brazilian culture and history, have an abundance of natural beauty, and an extremely hospitable local population.
The people of Brazil are extremely friendly, and you’ll find a Brazilian can never have too many friends. They are always excited to meet new people, and if you are in any need of help don’t hesitate to ask a Brazilian. They will go out of their way to ensure you’re happy in their country.
Visiting Brazil you can see that Brazil is somewhere which has not been developed to the extent of Dubai or Spain, so it offers a bit of exclusivity. See the following facts proving political and economical attractiveness of Brazil property investment:
• Brazil – 5th largest country in the world with a population of 182 million making up South America’s economic powerhouse
• Self-sufficient in terms of oil and has over 1/3rd of the world’s water reserves
• Well known producer of aircraft, automobiles, coffee, iron ore, steel and, of course, footwear (Brazil’s super-trendy Havaiana flop-flops)
• Predicted by many as one of world’s next superpowers, under the highly successful leadership of President Lula who has helped turn the economy around (Goldman Sachs predicts that by 2050 Brazil will be the worlds 5th largest economy)
• Inflation at all-time low, currency stable and favorable to investors, industry performing well and interest rates falling quickly
• Price rises of over 20% p.a. are predicted in main property in Brazil development zones
• President Lula’s policy of “high priority sustainable development” allows foreigners to own 100% freehold on property
• Budget of $USD 750 million just been set aside for enhancing tourist infrastructure such as airports and roads
• Tourist numbers to north-east already up by 134% over past few years and the region is on course to enter the coveted top 20 of tourism destinations in the world by 2007/2008
The Times newspaper recently quoted well respected city financiers: “Brazil remains one of the fastest growing emerging markets”, “We expect interest rates to continue to come down, providing a boost to domestic sentiment and interest from foreign investment”, and “The market represents extremely good value for investors now”.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Brazil Senate closer to Petrobras corruption probe
Brazil’s Senate agreed on Thursday to move ahead with a long-delayed corruption probe of state oil company Petrobras (PETR4.SA) that is unlikely to harm the company’s massive offshore oil developments but which could slow key energy legislation.
The inquiry was originally announced in May, but partisan wrangling delayed the proceedings.
“The (Senate) President Jose Sarney convoked the Petrobras inquiry for next Tuesday … The government decided to heed his call,” said Senator Romero Juca, head of the ruling coalition.
Markets have so far shrugged off the probe that will investigate charges that Petrobras overpaid for services, used accounting “tricks” to lower tax payments and showed political favoritism in sponsorship funds.
But analysts say the inquiry could slow President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s efforts to revamp oil laws regulating sub-salt oil reserves if opposition accusations that Petrobras were not transparent in its dealings led to a scandal that mired energy reform in partisan sniping.
The inquiry was back in the spotlight following new allegations in Brazilian media on Thursday that a cultural foundation linked to Sarney had pocketed Petrobras sponsorship money.
A spokesman for Sarney, who is being investigated for other alleged wrongdoings as part of a broader Senate ethics scandal, said the veteran politician did not actively manage the foundation. Sarney has ordered a full investigation, the spokesman said.
Petrobras said in a statement that by law the beneficiary and not the sponsor of tax-deductible donations must document the appropriate use of funds.
The foundation had complied with its contractual obligation to publicize Petrobras, the company said.
Petrobras’ stock was not trading on the Bovespa stock exchange on Thursday due to a Brazilian market holiday. The shares have declined along with crude prices over the past several days.
Senators backing the probe say Petrobras’ accounting practices let it dodge as much as 4 billion reais ($2.1 billion) in taxes and allege political favoritism in Petrobras’s use of sponsorship funds.
They also say Petrobras overpaid for goods and services to build a refinery in northeastern Brazil.
Petrobras has denied any wrongdoing and describes the probe as a political witch hunt. Petrobras CEO Jose Sergio Gabrielli has said the Senate probe risks creating a political “free-for-all” that could stymie discussions on oil reform.
The investigation could also target Lula’s chief of staff, Dilma Rousseff, who is on Petrobras’ board of directors and is Lula’s hand-picked candidate to run in 2010 presidential elections.
Lula wants to reform the regulatory system governing the participation of oil companies, including Petrobras, in exploration and production in the offshore sub-salt oil blocks that could hold more than 50 billion barrels of oil. ($1 = 1.99 reais)
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Brazil: Senegal took control of doomed flight
Brazil’s air force has released a recording it says proves it handed over control of Air France Flight 447 to Senegalese authorities before it crashed.
The audio has been posted on the air force Web site after a French official said air traffic controllers in Dakar, Senegal, never officially took control of the flight.
Lead French investigator Alain Bouillard made the accusation during the first public report on the June 1 crash in the Atlantic Ocean that killed 228 people.
But the Brazilian air force said Friday that the audio message proves it informed the Senegalese of the Air France flight’s plan and turned over control of the flight.
The cause of the crash has not been determined. Searchers are looking for the plane’s black boxes.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
