Monday, November 21, 2011


The number 22 thing that I love about Brazil is.................

In Portuguese as in all languages there are many words and expressions that don't translate, such as the word "Saudades" which roughly translates as Homesick. But it is much more than that. It is the feeling of longing for something or someone that you love and which is lost. There is also a word which is generally not in use anymore but my wife still knows it. The word is "Cafuné" which is to tenderly run your fingers through someone's hair. I have also found that some expressions also don't work in Portuguese for cultural reasons, such as, "I can't dance," or "I have two left feet," or "I don't know this song.” I believe that Brazilian babies are born dancing the samba out of the womb. It is a truly incredible thing to see. Brazilians have a natural sense of rhythm. And somehow they know the words to every samba song, pagode song and carnival song. It is an amazing thing to see their percussion skills in practice. I haven’t really seen it here in São Paulo but when I was in the northeast during carnival there were tons of percussion bands and they would always find some public square to practice for a statewide competition. 

Take this band for example:


This is a style called "Batucada" which is extremely popular in Brazil and is growing in popularity throughout the world. 

Brazil is so unique when it comes to music and dance that there is no pinning down it's origins. It has a rich blend of at least 3 continents which have to come together to give us wonderful music, rhythms and dances. So, even though I can say I can't dance, just remember, if you are in Brazil, people just might not understand those words.


Até logo e um abraço.