YES, WE HAVE CASTLES.

The Batel Castle, in Curitiba, State of Paraná. http://www.castelodobatel.com.br/

The Simões Lopes Castle was built in 1922, in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul state. http://www.pelotas.com.br/politica_desenv_economico/ste/atracoes_turisticas/pelotas_cultural_castelo_simoes_lopes.htm

Privately owned by José Ronilson Dantas, the Bívar Castle was erected circa 1984, nearby the Carnaúba River, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

The Zé dos Montes Castle sits on top of the Tapuia Hill, in the Rio Grande do Norte state. Built in 1953 by Francisco Quitiliano.

Built in the 20´s, the Itaipava Castle, in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, reproduces the Renaissance castles.

This Moorish castle sits in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is nowadays the headquarters of Fiocruz Foundation, the most prominent science and technology health institution in Latin America. http://fiotube.icict.fiocruz.br/mediadetails.php?key=d363381c030cb680a1cc&title=V%C3%ADdeo+Institucional+Fiocruz+-+ingl%C3%AAs

The Lacave Château is located in the city of Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul state, and  is the only castle in Latin America to feature a vineyard.

A man named João Ferreira, 64, from Garanhuns, in the state of Pernambuco, has been building this castle for 17 years out of his passion for luxurious castles he watched on movies, specially El Cid.

A 47 year-old entrepreneur from the state of Pernambuco, Edvonaldo Bezerra Torres, has attached some arab turrets to his dwelling, as well as contours of the outstanding buildings from Barcelona of late 19th century.

The Medieval Villa is a castle which holds a culture complex in São José dos Campos, São Paulo state. http://marcobonito.blogspot.com.br/2007/06/da-cultura-constroi-villa-medieval-mora.html

The Lua Cheia Hostel is a castle with a medieval atmosfphere built on the Ponta Negra beach, in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state. http://www.luacheia.com.br/

The Ricardo Brennand Institute is a must see in the city of Recife, State of Pernambuco. It holds the Saint John Museum of Arms. Built only six years ago, it has registered over one million visitors so far. http://www.mundomulher.com.br/?pg=17&sec=32&sub=41&idtexto=8584&keys=Museu+de+Armas+Castelo+Sao+Joao

The Pedras Altas Castle, in Rio Grande do Sul state. http://assisbrasil.org/castelo.html

http://www.destinopetropolis.com.br/museu-de-armas/44-5602

Country Club Castle, in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro state. http://www.castelocountryclub.com.br/

Castelo Barão de Itaipava, Petrópolis/RJ. http://www.castelodeitaipava.com.br/

With a total built area of 8,000 sq/m, it was originally designed as an exhibit pavillion for agriculture and cattle raising in the early 1900`s. It features an awsome basement. http://www.cataventocultural.org.br/inf_palacio.asp

The Furlani Castle, in Pederneiras, SP
http://www.viajandoobrasil.com.br/castelo-furlani/

Palácio da Ilha Fiscal, Rio de Janeiro. The island became famous for having housed the famous Baile da Ilha Fiscal, the last big party of the Empire before the proclamation of the Republic in November 1889. It now houses a museum of cultural history that is maintained by the Navy of Brazil. http://www.mar.mil.br/dphdm/ilha/ilha.htm

Montebello Castle, in Teresópolis, State of Rio e Janeiro. http://navarandacomlanynha.blogspot.com.br/2011/03/castelo-montebello-teresopolis.html

SOME TIPS ON DOING BUSINESS IN BRASIL

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Brazil

Relationships & Communication

. Brazilians need to know who they are doing business with before they can work effectively.
. Brazilians prefer face-to-face meetings to written communication as it allows them to know the person with whom they are doing business.
. The individual they deal with is more important than the company.
. Since this is a group culture, it is important that you do not do anything to embarrass a Brazilian.
.  Criticizing an individual causes that person to lose face with the others in the meeting.
. The person making the criticism also loses face, as they have disobeyed the unwritten rule.
. Communication is often informal and does not rely on strict rules of protocol. Anyone who feels they have something to say will generally add their opinion.
. It is considered acceptable to interrupt someone who is speaking.
. Face-to-face, oral communication is preferred over written communication. At the same time, when it comes to business agreements, Brazilians insist on drawing up detailed legal contracts.

Business Negotiation

. Expect questions about your company since Brazilians are more comfortable doing business with people and companies they know.
. Wait for your Brazilian colleagues to raise the business subject. Never rush the relationship- building time.
. Brazilians take time when negotiating. Do not rush them or appear impatient.
. Expect a great deal of time to be spent reviewing details.
. Often the people you negotiate with will not have decision-making authority.
. It is advisable to hire a translator if your Portuguese is not fluent.
. Use local lawyers and accountants for negotiations. Brazilians resent an outside legal presence.
. Brazilian business is hierarchical. Decisions are made by the highest-ranking person.
. Brazilians negotiate with people not companies. Do not change your negotiating team or you may have to start over from the beginning. 

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Business appointments are required and can often be scheduled on short notice; however, it is best to make them 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
. Confirm the meeting in writing. It is not uncommon for appointments to be cancelled or changed at the last minute.
. In Sao Paulo and Brasilia it is important to arrive on time for meetings. In Rio de Janeiro and other cities it is acceptable to arrive a few minutes late for a meeting.
. Do not appear impatient if you are kept waiting. Brazilians see time as something outside their control and the demands of relationships takes precedence over adhering to a strict schedule.
. Meetings are generally rather informal.
. Expect to be interrupted while you are speaking or making a presentation.
. Avoid confrontations. Do not appear frustrated with your Brazilian colleagues. 

Dress Etiquette

. Brazilians pride themselves on dressing well.
. Men should wear conservative, dark coloured business suits. Three-piece suits typically indicate that someone is an executive.
. Women should wear suits or dresses that are elegant and feminine with good quality accessories. Manicures are expected. 

Business Cards

. Business cards are exchanged during introductions with everyone at a meeting.
. It is advisable, although not required, to have the other side of your business card translated into Portuguese.
. Present your business card with the Portuguese side facing the recipient. 

 source: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/brazil-country-profile.html

IF YOU ARE A LIBRARY MOUSE...

The Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil (in English National Library of Brazil) is the depository of the bibliographic and documentary heritage of Brazil. It is located in Rio de Janeiro, at Cinelândia square.
The largest library in Latin America and the 7th world largest one, its collections include over 9 million items.

 Among the significant collections of the National Library of Brazil is the Thereza Christina Maria photograph collection, which includes 21,742 photographs dating from the nineteenth century. These photographs were left to the Library by Emperor Pedro II in 1891. This collection has been inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme Register in 2003 in recognition of its world significance and outstanding universal value.
 http://bndigital.bn.br/terezacristina/index.htm

You can go on a virtual tour of the library at: http://www.bn.br/portal/?nu_pagina=63

ZIMBO TRIO, A FINE BRAZILIAN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC BAND

The Zimbo Trio is a Brazilian instrumental trio, founded in March 1964, São Paulo, by Luiz Chaves Oliveira da Paz "Luiz Chaves" (bass), Rubens Alberto Barsotti "Rubens"(drums) and Amilton Godoy (piano). Over 45 year career and 51 albums recorded, the Zimbo Trio has won worldwide recognition, touring the world, and spreading fine Brazilian instrumental music.





http://www.clamzimbo.com.br/portal/

How does "POROROCA" sound to you?

The pororoca (Portuguese pronunciation: [poɾoˈɾɔkɐ]) is a tidal bore, with waves up to 6 metres high that travel as much as 13 km inland upstream on the Amazon River and adjacent rivers. Its name comes from the indigenous Tupi language, where it translates into "great destructive roar". It occurs at the mouth of the river where river water meets the Atlantic Ocean. As the fresh water from the river is less dense than the ocean water, it overlaps the rising tide therefore delaying it. At some point the balance is disrupted, and together with the winds the wave grows and spreads over inland, thus inverting the river current.  The phenomenon is best seen in February and March.

The wave has become popular with surfers. Since 1999, an annual championship has been held in São Domingos do Capim (on the adjacent Guamá River). However, surfing the Pororoca is especially dangerous, as the water contains a significant amount of debris from the shores of the river (often entire trees), in addition to dangerous fauna.

Wave height: 3 to 6 meters

Wave run: 40 minutes                                               How often: every 12 hours 

Distance covered: 30 km in over one and a half hour     Speed: approx. 20 km/h

THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME "BRASIL"

Caesalpinia echinata is a species of Brazilian timber tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. Common names include Brazilwood, Pau-Brasil, Pau de Pernambuco and Ibirapitanga (Tupi). This plant has a dense, orange-red heartwood that takes a high shine, and it is the premier wood used for making bows for stringed instruments. When Portuguese explorers found these trees on the coast of South America, they used the name pau-brasil to describe them. Pau is Portuguese for "stick" (or, by metonymy, "wood" in general), and brasil is said to have come from brasa, Portuguese for "ember", meaning "emberlike".

The wood of this tree has a deep red hue, which may be why it received this name. Pau-brasil had been earlier used to describe a different species of tree found in Asia and other places, called Sappanwood which also produced red dye; but the South American trees soon became the better source of red dye. Brazilwood trees were such a large part of the exports and economy of the land that the country which sprang up in that part of the world took its name from them and is now called Brazil.

 In the 15th and 16th centuries, brazilwood was highly valued in Europe and quite difficult to get. Coming from Asia, it was traded in powder form and used as a red dye in the manufacture of luxury textiles, such as velvet, in high demand during the Renaissance. When Portuguese navigators discovered present-day Brazil, on April 22, 1500, they immediately saw that brazilwood was extremely abundant along the coast and in its hinterland, along the rivers. In a few years, a hectic and very profitable operation for felling and shipping all the brazilwood logs they could get was established, as a crown-granted Portuguese monopoly.

 The flower stalk, or inflorescence, is also branched and contains between 15 and 40 yellow, strongly perfumed flowers, which may be pollinated by bees. The petals are usually yellow with a blood-red blotch. The fruits are oval-shaped woody seedpods, measuring up to 7.3 cm long and 2.6 cm across; they hang off the branches and after the seeds are expelled, the pods become twisted in shape. The branches, leaves and fruit are covered with small thorns.

COME SURF IN THE ISLAND OF MAGIC

Florianópolis (Portuguese pronunciation: [floɾi.aˈnɔpolis] or [floɾjɐˈnɔpʊliʃ]) is the capital city and second largest city of Santa Catarina state in the Southern region of Brazil. It is composed of one main island, the Island of Santa Catarina (Ilha de Santa Catarina), a continental part and the surrounding small islands. The city has 42 beaches and is a center of surfing activity. The Hercílio Luz International Airport serves the city. 

The island is connected to the Continent by three bridges. 

The Hercílio Luz Bridge was built over 70 years ago and is now closed to traffic; it is a symbol of the island and often appears on postcard images. The Colombo Sales Bridge and Pedro Ivo Bridge are the ones open to traffic.

Florianópolis is one of the locations for the ASP World Tour of the Association of Surfing Professionals, which classifies 50 competitors, among professionals and amateurs. The state of Santa Catarina is the only location in South America for this surfing event. 

Barra da Lagoa  is the world famous "Bunny Slope" of Surfing. It is home to world champion Jacqueline Silva and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Praia Mole which usually hosts the WCT Surfing Championships. 

Ingleses Beach (Praia dos Ingleses) Even though it is a beach preferred by tourists, Ingleses still keeps to the traditions of the Azorian colonizers. In the summer, it is one of the top beach destinations of Argentine tourists, second only to Canasvieras. 

Campeche Beach (Praia do Campeche) With 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) of white sands and turbulent waters, Campeche is considered the Jeffreys Bay of the Santa Catarina Island for the quality of its waves.

Joaquina Beach (Praia da Joaquina) became famous as of the 1970s, when surfers from around the world discovered its waves. Many surf cups began to emerge, and great Catarinense surfing personalities. It is one of the beaches that offers the best tourist facilities.