Christmas in Brazil...

In the main , Christmas in Brazil, follows the European traditions - particularly, those of Portugal.

It is essentially a time when families get together, most notably for Christmas supper, which is eaten at Midnight on December 24th (although, lots of families eat earlier than this - but most notably on Christmas Eve, as opposed to Christmas Day.

The Christmas Supper will consist of turkey, chicken, pork, ham, rice, fresh vegetables and fruit dishes. However, poorer Brazilians, usually have to make-do with rice and chicken.

Traditional Catholic families may attend; Mass at Midnight (on the 24th), the Mass ends at 1.00am, and is known as The Rooster Mass or; Missa do Galo.

TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS

One of the main traditions is the nativity scene or; Presépio The Presépio was introduced in the 17th century by a Franciscan friar named; Gaspar de Santo Agostinho. Most interestingly, he was from Olinda, which is also considered the birthplace of Brazilian nationality.

Father Christmas, or; Papai Noel is the unsuprisingly, traditional gift bringer, originally hailing from Greenland (according to legend), notwithstanding ,the Papai Noel concept came to Brazil during the 1950s, originating from The United States, - and subsequently commercialised in the 60s and 70s.

The decorated Christmas tree is an important Christmas ingredient, as are coloured , flashing electric lights, both adorn the main living room of houses and apartments, with the flashing lights, particularly popular draped across and over balconies of the many millions of apartment buildings.

Fireworks can be heard all hours of the day and night (mostly at night - and sometimes all through the night), and this typically Brazilian, pyrotechnic dimension to festivities, will continue until January 6th, otherwise known as Three Kings Day, which symbolizes the Three Wise Men , taking gifts to The Baby Jesus.

Happy Holidays...May you find joy, peace and contentment, and I sincerely hope that 2007 will be a memorable, and very special year, for you!

Take care, Alan Thomas.

Take A Walk On The Wildside...

Have you ever wanted to go to the Amazon Rainforest?

We are launching 2 wonderful opportunities for 2007...

Take A Walk On The Wildside 1
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Would you like to help us with reforestation in The Amazon? This is a great opportunity to help breathe new life into the ¨lungs of the world¨.

Come and help us replant some of the rare and most vital trees and plants in the Amazon.

Interested? Please drop us an email - to: alan@volunteerbrazil.com , mention, Walk On The Wildside 1, and we will give you 15% discount, off your program cost.

Take A Walk On The Wildside 2
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Deep in The Amazon ,we have an environmental art project, whereby, children and Amazon natives make the most beautiful art from their environment. Using natural materials which fall from the jungles plants and trees, materials taken from the Amazon River and the forest floor...

Interested? Please drop us an email - to: alan@volunteerbrazil.com , mention, Walk On The Wildside 2, and we will give you 15% discount, off your program cost.

Portuguese,

in Brazil.

If you are considering coming to Brazil, be it as a tourist, for business purposes, backpacking or on an organised volunteering or cultural exchange program, you will need to learn some Portuguese...

WE CAN HELP YOU!

Our Portuguese Courses in Brazil have been prepared and are delivered by qualified Professional Educators.

We have 3 Portuguese Courses to choose from...

Portuguese Course 1 (Starter)

This course is ideal for beginners and will help you survive in everday situations.
Our Portuguese Course uses a very much eclectic approach. Our objective is to give you the confidence and competence to develop your basic, oral Portuguese in a variety of situations.

Portuguese Course 2 (Intermediate)

Our second Portuguese course logically follows on from the first course. If you have existing Portuguese language skills, or have already taken Course 1 - then this is the course for you!

Our objective is to enable and empower you to express yourself in Portuguese, in more sophisticated ways, addresing a variety of circumstances.

Our Intermediate Portuguese Course is again geared towards everyday, practical usage. However, there is more attention to grammar this time.

Portuguese Course 3 (Advanced)

Our Advanced Portuguese course logically follows on from the Starter and Intermediate Courses.

Our objective is to enable you to express yourself in Portuguese, both orally and in writing.

Our Advanced Portuguese Course is again geared towards everyday, practical usage. However, there is more attention to grammar, written form, and being able to partake in conversation.

Are you up for it?

Only US$300 (175 GBP) Per Course

Whats Included:
7 nights accommodation with a Brazilian family either in Recife or Olinda
4 hours of Portuguese classes each day
20 hours of Language
Tour of Olinda or Recife
Shopping Trip
2 meals per day
Airport pick-up
Course materials

CONTACT US TODAY:

0055 81 32692793(Office)

information@volunteerbrazil.com

Mention Language Course Blog for 15% Discount.

BRAZILIAN

CARNAVAL

2007

OLINDA...


Olinda is considered to be the birthblace of Brazilian nationality, mother of the Republic! In 1537 Duarte Coelho Pereira who had been granted the Pernambuco Captaincy declared from the top of the hill.

"Oh linda situação para uma Vila" What a beautiful place to build a city.

This is the fabled origin of the city name Olinda.During the XVI Century Olinda was the most prosperous city in Brazil, entirely through the plantations of ¨white gold¨ (sugar).

Olinda has many, many delights for the visitor, and a particular mention has to be given to the Olinda Carnaval. Of course Brazil is world renowned for its annual Carnaval events.



Most of the worlds media are guilty of displaying the fabulous images of Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and its resident samba schools. But when Brazilians want to party, when they want to experience an authentic carnaval , they come to Olinda and Recife. It takes a whole year for Brazilians to prepare for Carnaval, and the Olinda and Recife versions is certainly worth waiting for....

Nothing more expresses the spirit of Olinda than going up and down the hills of the Cidade Alta. Walking along its narrow streets, visitors can see the traditional churches and old houses that characterize the city. Brazil’s first School of Law was founded in Olinda, as well as several monasteries, convents and schools.

Lying only six kilometers from Recife, Olinda is home to innumerable artists, the builders of Olinda today, considered by Unesco as Historical and Cultural Heritage of Mankind. Among the artists that have chosen the city as home are many musicians, who enliven Olinda during Carnival, when the City already known for its intellectuals, historians and painters, also becomes the Olinda of clowns, pierrots and masquerades.

COME AND JOIN THE PARTY -

CONTACT US:
TEL: 0055 81 32692793 (office)
(mobile) 0055 81 88798877
information@volunteerbrazil.com (e-mail)
http://www.volunteerbrazil.com/ (website)

BRAZIL

CARNAVAL

2007

Come and join us for the Worlds Greatest Party...
From Only US$500 / £250

The world famous Carnival of Olinda, in Brazil, is considered to be the most authentic, the most beautiful, and the most spontaneous of its kind.

And considering that over 1 million people take to the streets each day in this UNESCO World Heritage Town, it remains an amazing fact that the WORLDS GREATEST STREET CARNAVAL is not yet comercialised.

Olinda and Recife have many, many delights for the visitor, but the Olinda and Recife Carnavals deserve a very special mention. Of course Brazil is world renowned for its annual Carnaval events, but when Brazilians want to party, when they want to experience an authentic carnaval , they come to Olinda, and Recife

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Reserve Your Place FOR 2007

5 Nights - From 16th February to 20th February

(Carnaval Period is 16th - 20th February)

(Friday through Tuesday, you leave Wednesday morning)

Early Booking is Strongly Advised!

SEE YOU THERE!

CONTACT US:
TEL: 0055 81 32692793 (office)
(mobile) 0055 81 88798877
information@volunteerbrazil.com (e-mail)