MA CHE! The best pizza is from São Paulo!

Pizza (Italian pronunciation: [ˈpittsa], from the Latin verb pìnsere, to press) is Greek in origin. The Ancient Greeks covered their bread with oils, herbs and cheese. In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled πίτα or pita, meaning pie. The word has now spread to Turkish aspide, and Bulgarian, Croatian and Serbian as pita, Albanian as pite and Modern Hebrew pittāh. The Romans developed placenta, a sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey and flavored with bay leaves. Modern pizza originated in Italy as the Neapolitan pie with tomato. In 1889, cheese was added.

In 1889, during a visit to Naples, Queen Margherita of Italy was served a pizza resembling the colors of the Italian flag, red (tomato), white (mozzarella) and green (basil). This kind of pizza has been named after the Queen as Pizza Margherita.

São Paulo has 6,000 pizza establishments and 1.4 million pizzas are consumed daily. It is said that the first Brazilian pizzas were baked in the Brás district of São Paulo in the early part of the 20th century. Until the 1950s, they were only found in the Italian communities. Since then, pizza became increasingly popular among the rest of the population. The most traditional pizzerias are still found in the Italian neighborhoods, such as Bexiga (official name: Bela Vista). Both Neapolitan (thick crust) and Roman (thin crust) varieties are common in Brazil, with traditional versions using tomato sauce and mozzarella as a base. Brazilian pizza in general, though, tends to have little or no tomato sauce, or uses slices of tomato in place of sauce. Brazilian pizzerias offer also Brazilian variants such as "pizza com catupiry". July 10 is "Pizza Day" in São Paulo, marking the final day of an annual competition among "pizzaiolos". In Brazil, pizza quatro queijos (pizza quattro formaggi) uses mozzarella, provolone, parmesan and gorgonzola, and there is also a variety with five cheeses, which adds catupiry.

Also, the sweet pizzas are delicious: with chocolate, strawberries, peaches, bananas, plums, mangoes, some topped with meringue or ice cream- a sinful delight!

Do you think you know all about pizza? So take this quiz (in Portuguese):
http://receitas.uol.com.br/quiz/pizza/

No, really, that´s amore!

BLOCK PRINTING ON A STRING

Xylography is often referred to as block printing or woodblock printing, and the truth is that there really isn’t a difference between any of them.

Just like block printing, xylography is a technique for printing that uses a carved relief, that when inked will show the uncarved parts in black (or whatever color the ink is) and the carved parts as white space.

Xylography originated as a technique in Japan during the third century, and spread from there. It became wildly popular for printing documents and designs on textiles, although the use for document printing faded out over time. However, many people all over the world still use xylography techniques for crafts, art pieces and even designs for clothing.

Many would say that the technique remains most used in India, although some cultures still have strong roots in it. What is neat about the technique is that anybody can get started with it, as the materials needed are very inexpensive and easy to find.

Portuguese culture tinged with medieval traces was imported to Brazil and here it developed into the string literature. Most of Brazilian xylographers, especially the northeastern ones, are influenced by the string literature.

http://jeffcelophane.wordpress.com/tag/xilogravura/

http://www.jvicttor.com.br/liquidificordel/?p=140

João Batista

José Costa Leite

Joel Francisco Borges

Joel Francisco Borges

Joel Francisco Borges

AND AMID THE JUNGLE - A WONDROUS OPERA THEATER!

Teatro Amazonas or Amazon Theater  is an opera house located in Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. It was built during the Belle Époque at a time when fortunes were made in the rubber boom using materials from all over the world, with furniture from Paris, marble from Italy, and steel from England. The theatre's 198 chandeliers were imported from Italy, including 32 of Murano glass. On the outside of the building, the dome was covered with 36,000 decorated ceramic tiles painted in the colors of the Brazilian national flag.

The theater was inaugurated on December 31, 1896, with the first performance occurring on January 7, 1897, with the Italian opera, La Gioconda, by Amilcare Ponchielli. The opera house was closed down soon after however as the rubber trade declined and Manaus lost its main source of income. There wasn’t a single performance in Teatro Amazonas for 90 years until 2001 when it reopened its doors.

http://www.amazonasfestivalopera.com/index.php

http://www.culturamazonas.am.gov.br/

WILD RIDES AT BARRETOS FORTHCOMING RODEO FESTIVAL

The Festa do Peão de Barretos (Portuguese for "Cowboy Festival of Barretos") is a rodeo featuring bulls and horses. In Barretos, Brazil, hundreds such festivals are held throughout the year. The Festa do Peão is one of the most famous such festivals, and has become world-famous for its size. The festival is held every year in the São Paulo (state) city of Barretos, where it has traditionally been organized and promoted by the social club Os Independentes ("The Independents").

The festival has its origins in the transfer of cattle from pasturing in the nearby states of Minas Gerais, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Mato Grosso to slaughterhouses in Barretos. The cowboys in the "entourages" that led the herds would meet in the afternoons and compete with each other to see who could ride the most spirited horses - the precursor to today's competition. The more difficult tradition of riding bulls instead of horses was brought from the United States of America.


In 1955, in Barretos, a group of bachelors organized the first recorded Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro. Since that time the festival has become world famous for its scale, and the high quality of cowboys, horses, and bulls. The festival takes place every August, coinciding with the anniversary of the founding of Barretos, August 25. It continues to be organized by The Independents.
One of the most common artifacts seen throughout these festivals is the  blowing horn or winding horn, which is a sound device by and large shaped like a horn or actually a cattle or other animal horn arranged to blow from a hole in the pointed end of it. It is still used by Brazilian cowboys to gather the cattle in the fields or when transferring it between pastures.








Full info in English, Spanish and Portuguese at:
http://www.independentes.com.br/en/

ARE YOU A CHOCOLATE ADDICT?

The Salon du Chocolat, the world’s largest event dedicated to chocolate,  is the not-to-be-missed event for those who share a passion for this exceptional product. It is a link between those who grow cocoa and those who consume chocolate. The Salon launched its first Latin American edition in Salvador, Bahia from 6th to 8th July, 2012, at Bahia Convention Center.  After Paris, New York, Tokyo and 6 other Japanese cities, Moscow, Shanghai, Cairo, Bologna and Zurich, the Salon settled in Brazil, the 4th largest consumer of chocolate in the world and the 5th producer of cocoa. The Salon is a true link between cocoa-producing countries, chocolatiers and consumers. It hosted over 60 national and international participants in Salvador.

The visitors had the opportunity to meet the greatest chocolatiers from Brazil and all over the world and enjoy outstanding activities and entertainment, such as tastings, demonstrations of recipes, conferences, children’s workshops, exhibitions, concerts and events to pay tribute to Jorge Amado. Last but not least, the famous and gourmand Chocolate Fashion Show featured dresses out of chocolate on the theme of rainforest Mata Atlântica.

Some exquisite flavors were put to tasting, such as the salty chocolate, which is to be savoured with whisky. Others had a filling of candies made with typical flowers of the region. Others, still, presented fillings of candies spiced with green tea, ginger and sweet lime. 

One of the hot stands displayed the "chocolate jewels" by the Fada dos Chocolates (Chocolate Fairy) from Campo dos Goytacazes, in Rio de Janeiro. They are totally handmade and yes, they are strikingly beautiful. Some have 3-karat gold details and are sold for $6 a piece.

Another highlight of the Salon was the popping chocolate, the Pétillant. "It feels like having a glass of champagne", according to  Bouillet´s stand rep, Aline Santana.

Also, at Bouillet´s booth, a stand-alone success, the chocolate lipstick. It was totally sold out on the first day of the exhibit. 

OUTSTANDING CHOCOLATE DESTINATIONS

DISCOVER SAO PAULO CITY

A new travel guide was launched last 4th of July which will help tourists visit the main attractions of São Paulo by means of public transportation. With the suggestive name "São Paulo spot by spot" the traveler is shown which buses, trains or subway lines are to be taken to reach 219 tourist attractions throughout the city.

The guide features 84 detailed maps displaying the location of subway and trains stations as well as  bus itineraries. 

In this guide the tourist can find the addresses of 260 restaurants, 160 hotels and 20 arts and crafts open air markets.

The guide may be found online at http://www.cidadedesaopaulo.com/sp/en and is available at Apple Store and Android Market for free.

Some of the info contained in the link above:

CURRENCY TRAVELING WITH PETS SMOKING INFORMATION SAFETY TIPS HOLIDAYS TIME ZONE TICKETS POST OFFICE HOSPITALS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES TRAVEL INSURANCE TRANSPORT GUIDELINES ROAD ACCESSES AIRPORTS BUS TERMINALS SUBWAY TRAIN LINKS

Also, as of today 75 tourist spots pictured in  hi-res 360º  are shown in 12 categories: parks and green areas, cultural centers, theaters, museums, gastronomy, shopping, historical buildings, churches, sports, landscape vistas, urban spaces among other attractions: http://www.cidadedesaopaulo.com/tour360/portugues/

A SURREAL EXPERIENCE AT IGUAZU FALLS

Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horsehoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River, Iguazú Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth. During the rainy season of November - March, the rate of flow of water going over the falls may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750 cubic m) per second.

Access to the Falls is usually done through one of the three cities in the so-called tri-border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Border crossing between these countries is fairly relaxed - authorities assume most people are on a day trip across the border. Australian, Canadian and US passport holders require a visa (AU$70/US$130) to visit the Brazilian side of the falls which is NOT issued at the border. European Union passport holders do not normally need a visa to enter Brazil for tourism. Better check before setting off as the Brazilian side of the falls is "a must".

The city on the Brazilian side is Foz do Iguaçu and the town on the Argentine side is called Puerto Iguazu. The city of Foz do Iguaçu has about 100 hotels and inns. 

The falls are part of a singular practically virgin jungle ecosystem protected by Argentine and Brazilian national parks on either side of the cascades. Two thirds of the falls are on the Argentinian side of the river where you can also tour Iguazú National Park where there are jungle trails and bird hikes.

The view from the Brazilian side is the most panoramic and there are helicopter rides out over the falls from Foz do Iguaçu. You may also take boat rides out to the falls. The light is best in the morning for photographs.

The best times to see Iguazu Falls are in the spring and fall. Summer is intensely tropically hot and humid, and in winter the water level is considerably lower. 

Macuco Safari from Territorios on Vimeo.

DOING ANYTHING ON JULY 7TH?

A unique event is taking place on  July 7th, in the state of São Paulo, mainly in a small town called Cunha, some 220 km from São Paulo city.
Since 1975 Cunha has become an important center of stoneware ceramics, with 5 Noborigama wood fired kilns and 16 ceramics studios in all. The city is visited for ceramics, a pleasant climate, natural parks and gastronomy.

The prominent Suenaga & Jardineiro ceramic studio will be opening its Noborigama kilns after a three-day cooling out  in thrilling sessions at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The entrance is free and there is no need to sign up. The studio is open every day  from 9 to 6. 


Abertura de fornada de Inverno 07/07/2012(sábado)

Fornada da Independência 08/09/2012(sábado)

Fornada Final de Ano 01/12/2012(sábado)


More info at:
http://www.portaldecunha.com.br/
http://www.ateliesj.com.br/

ACCIDENTS WITH VENOMOUS SPECIES IN BRAZIL

"There's no such thing as a villain in nature. Every animal in an ecosystem has a function that helps maintain the equilibrium of its habitat". Professor Marcos Ferreira Santos, head of Instituto Butantan´s cultural development section.

The Instituto Butantan in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been one of the world's leading experts on venomous snakes for the past 100 years. Its development of antidotal serums has helped save the lives of many snakebite victims over the years. The institute´s  laboratories display a state-of-the-art serum production plant which is computer controlled and completely enclosed for bio-safety. The product range has now been extended to include vaccines for rabies, diphtheria, tetanus and TB, among others, as well as drugs used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients, 


Accidents with venomous species are fairly spotty. Only way to stay safe is to get educated and informed about the danger around you, sometimes coming from the alive creatures smaller than your finger tip. 


Meet some of the main venomous Brazilian animals and their habits:


SCORPIONS:


They hide close to houses, in empty lots, old buildings, piles of debris, wood and lumber stacks, bricks, thickets and garbage. 
They are usually also found at sewage outlets, drains and grease spots. 
Reproductive season: from September to November


They feed on: cockroaches and grasshoppers.
Natural Predators:  Owls, monkeys, frogs, chickens and geese.
The venom of Brazilian yellow scorpions seems to be the most toxic venom of all scorpions, which affects the peripheral human nervous system causing pain, stinging, heartbeat increase and lowering the body temperature. These symptoms will affect more the body with less weight, for example children.


SERPENTS:  


To avoid accidents, best practice is not to have debris, organic matter and construction materials closeby, and clean neighboring empty lots around 1 to 2 meters next to fences or walls close to houses. 


They feed on: mainly  rodents which may come close to human dwellings for easy food.
Natural Predators:  falcons, owls, sparrow-hawks, and a black snake named muçuarana, or mussurana, which feeds on other snakes.
Occurrences: dense woodland and rainforest areas, but also on farmland with only sparse vegetation. They are  found all over Brazil.


SPIDERS:

One of the most poisonous spiders is the brown one, known as "aranha marrom".
It likes undisturbed places like garages, and wood or rock piles, but is frequently found in the house behind wardrobes or pictures on the walls, in clothes or linen piles, cupboards and under beds. They are nocturnal creatures and if the male goes hunting at night, it can often be found in temporary cover, like footwear or drawers.
Their webs show a highly irregular design, unlike the other spiders.
Occurrences: State of Paraná




CATERPILLARS:  

The caterpillar is covered in tiny hairs, and all these are attached to venom glands, and once anything comes into contact with the very sharp hairs, they are injected with venom.

They dwell on tree trunks, fruits on fruit trees, leaves and twigs.

Symptoms of caterpillar hair poisoning are nausea, rashes, blisters, abdominal pains, swelling, burning sensations, numbness, chest pains, difficulty in breathing.

For more info, refer to:

http://www.brazilian-snakes.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instituto_Butantan