There's a lot more to Brazil than Samba and Carnival. With the 2016 Olympics wrapping up in Rio, it is easy to forget that there is so much more to Brazil than what we see on our television screen. After living in Brazil for one month in January in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul with a Brazilian family and having multiple Brazilian friends, I have learned that Brazil is more than the stereotypes our media creates. Here is a list of all the interesting, unique things that you may not know about Brazil:
1. In Brazil, you NEVER skip lunch. It's our breakfast: it's the most important meal of the day! Usually, a Brazilian lunch has rice, beans, and some form of meat.
2. Soccer isn't the only popular sport in Brazil. Volleyball is another sport that many people enjoy.
3. Indoor soccer is actually as popular as outdoor soccer.
4. Brazilians are famous for their delicious barbecues! However, this does not mean sloppy joes like in the U.S. Usually, Brazilian barbecues are actually slices of beef slow roasted over a fire.
5. Brazil has several different ethnicities and colors. Many people assume that Brazilians are tan with black hair and dark eyes; and although many are, there are also many Japanese Brazilians and Brazilians that have white skin. Brazilians use the term pardo to refer to people's mixed ethnic background.
6. In Brazil, people speak Portuguese, not Spanish like the surrounding countries in South America. Brazilian Portuguese is different than the Portuguese spoken in Portugal.
7. Tereré and Chimarrão are famous drinks in some parts of Brazil. Southern states drink Chimarrão almost daily, and tereré is most popular in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. These drinks are prepared with the leaves of yerba mate. Chimarrão is consumed with hot water, and tereré uses cold water. You generally use a cuia and a bomba to drink the flavored water.
8. At gas stations in Brazil, there is always an employee ready to help you fill your tank with gas. They also check your oil and clean your windshield if you want.
9. The state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil is home to the gauchos, or Brazilian cowboy. They have their own traditional music, dance, and food. They also drink a lot of Chimarrão!
10. Brazil is home to some breathtaking places! We have heard all about Rio, but you can't forget Iguaçu Falls (below), Lençóis Maranhenses, and Pantanal.
11. Brazil is the biggest country in South America. However, there are many parts of Brazil that are underdeveloped. In almost every city, there is a huge division between rich and poor people. This large gap is noticeable and shocking. That being said, there are also areas of Brazil that are thriving.
12. There are HUGE farms in Brazil. Farms can be as big as 50,000+ acres!
13. Many people in Brazil have German and Italian roots. This is especially prominent in southern Brazil where they have Oktober Fest in Santa Catarina state. In fact, October Fest is one of the biggest celebrations in Brazil!
