February in Brazil

In Brazil, the number one holiday in February is Carnaval, which is deemed the largest collective party in the entire world. It´s a five-day holiday, that´s right, a five-day holiday in which people go away, relax and have fun. A traditional activity during this period is getting together to sing and dance. In different parts of Brazil, the musical style during carnaval ranges from regional folk music to the carioca samba.  " Foliões", which is how the people who participate in the celebration are called, either travel to the coast or go to Rio and Sao Paulo to see the samba schools´ parades. Each school presents a theme and parade accordingly and during the parade, a group of jurors analyse and grade every aspect of it, from the clothes they wear to the music they play. The parades officially start out in São Paulo on Friday and Saturday. The two parades take place in Anhembi and are broadcast live to all viewers. On Sunday and Monday, it´s Rio´s schools' turn to astonish the viewers with their costumes, props and ornamented cars. Sapucaí is the place chosen for such monumental event, which is also broadcast live to anyone who´s willing to see it. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the results come out and Rio and Sao Paulo´s winning schools celebrate their victory with the Winners´ Parade, also broadcast live. Every year, carnaval is held in February. However, this year it´s from March 1st to March 5th, which is pretty unusual. Still, brazilians love it because any reason is a reason to sing and dance, even when the date is not right.   

January in Brazil

In Brazil, January is usually a period for vacationing. After New Year's Day though, many people continue working normally. School term, however, only starts in February. This year in particular, because the World Cup will be held here, school term will start late January. Apart from New Year's Day and Peace Day, both on January 1st, there are no other significant celebrations this month.  

Super Duper Bummer!

Nooooo!!! Time flies when you're having fun. It's a bummer that we're leaving tomorrow. There's still so much to be seen and done! Today, we went to  MANITOU SPRINGS. We went hiking exploring, shopping and, of course,  we grabbed a bite to eat. A great place to spend some time in and shop for souvenirs.  The weather was about 8o C in the afternoon, hotter than the previous days but still cold, compared to Brasilia. The houses built there are magnificent. I only wanted to take pictures of them.

Super Duper Awesome

Going to Colorado and not going skiing is like going to Brazil and not eating feijoada or having a caipirinha (a local food and drink). We would have loved to go to Aspen but it was a four-hour trip, so we chose to go to ARAPAHOE BASIN, a ski resort which is known for having one of the longest ski seasons in North America (often from mid-October to early June) and is only two hours away from our hotel. Needless to say it was totally AWESOME!

Super Duper Cold

We got here yesterday. It's 9:34 now. This is the Broadmoore Hotel here in Colorado Springs. It's -12o C. SUPER DUPER FREEZING!!!! Mom and dad are inside having breakfast. Despite the cold weather, which I love, I can't wait to go sightseeing and make some memories. I'll keep you guys posted!

Happy New Year!!!

"The year is finally coming to an end and I'm super duper excited about the festivities tonight."

In Brazil, we celebrate New Year's by wearing white clothes and having a delicious meal at the strike of midnight. At midnight, we also gather to see the fireworks on the street and the fireworks the mainstream TV stations broadcast from different parts of the world. We stay up until the crack of dawn playing games, talking, drinking and eating a lot. The next day, we wake up very late and eat the left overs for lunch. 

Merry Christmas!!!

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Getting Ready For Christmas: A Family Night

I celebrate Christmas with my parents. It's great to be together on such night because it's a family night in which we exchange gifts and have a delicious meal. We say a prayer, sing Christmas songs and eat  when the clock strikes midnight. We talk, play games and then we go to bed very late. It's so great because the next day we can stay in bed and relax. Because we get up late, we eat the previous night´s left overs. I love Christmas!!!!

Getting Ready For Christmas: Cooking a Feast

In Brazil, we usually have a feast that is prepared throughout the day and served at eleven o'clock p.m. However, some families wait until midnight, so they can eat. Turkey is a must on Christmas night. Traditionally, we also have "farofa" (toasted manioc flour), rice and potato salad. 

MENU FOR CHRISTMAS NIGHT:

STARTER: 

A Cold Buffet & Shrimp Cocktail

MAIN COURSE: 

Roast Turkey with Gravy & Rice with Raisins

SIDE DISHES: 

Farofa & Potato Salad

DESSERT: 

Milk Pudding

Getting ready for Christmas: Shopping

In Brazil, many people are still drawn to shopping at Christmas time. At least among the people I know, exchanging gifts is a solid tradition and I don't see it ending any time soon. However, Brazil still is  a catholic country, so lots of people go to the church on Christmas night for a two-hour celebration in order to remind themselves of the real meaning of this date.

Getting ready for Christmas: Setting Up The Tree

We start decorating the tree on November 30th. The Church suggests that we do it during the four weeks that preceed Christmas, little by little. In some families, children decorate the tree and are taught the real meaning of such important night. Traditionally, the tree is left up until January 6th, which is the day when the three kings found Jesus.   

Getting Ready For Christmas: Going Through Christmas Stuff

Streets, stores and houses have been decorated, trees have been set up, lights have been lit, feasts have been thought through and presents have been bought. We're all waiting for the most important holiday of all and it's time for me to start sorting out the ornaments for our Christmas tree. How about you? Have you started prepping for Christmas yet?

Change Of Plans

Right now, I'm upset because we're not going to Europe for the holidays anymore. We're going after the holidays because of dad's work. Bummer!

 However, I'm glad December is coming because it's my favorite time of the year. I'm going to start prepping the house for the festivities. There is a lot to do.

December is around the corner

School term is almost over and I'm super duper excited because this year my parents and I are going to Europe for the holidays. I just can't wait!!! 

November in Brazil

On November 2nd, we honor our late family members by visiting cemeteries all over the country. We take flowers to decorate the graves of beloved ones and candles to be lit. We also pray and reflect about life and its shortness. On November 15th, we celebrate the Proclamation of the Republic. Schools don´t open and we don´t work either. We don't do anything special on this day. It´s a day to rest and have fun with family and friends.

October in Brazil

Super Duper 

People in Brazil celebrate Children's Day on October 12th. On this day, they post their baby photos on Facebook. They also buy children presents and play games with them. On the same day, they also celebrate a catholic holiday called Nossa Senhora Aparecida's Day, in honor to Jesus's mother. In Brasília, the capital of Brazil, faithful catholics gather at Esplanada (a place where outdoor events and concerts take place) for a Mass. On October 15th, they also have Teacher's Day, when schools don't open. On this five-day holiday (it starts on the 12th and it is extended to the 15th), teachers have some time to rest and some of them even travel.