Brazil Blog
About this blog
Thrill of Brazil is a travel blog all about Brazil written by Moon Brazil author Michael Sommers. Michael blogs about Brazil travel, culture, and more. He welcomes questions, comments, and story ideas.
Recent Posts
- Care for a Drink with your Film? (or a Film with your Drink?)
- Brazil’s Homegrown Tourism Boom
- Brazil's Best and Write-est
- Making House Calls in Rio (Part II)
- Making House Calls in Rio (Part I)
- The Dawning of Brazil's B&B Age
- Rio's Alternative Points of View
- Taxi Trouble in Santa Teresa
- Obamas Take to the Campaign Trail in Brazil
- Plans and Punctuality
- Reliving Tropicalismo - On and Off Screen
- Food and Lodging that Make the Grade
- The Making of Moon Living Abroad in Brazil
- U.S. is Number One Source of Immigrants to Brazil
- Best English-Language Blogs about Brazil
Rio's Fresh Crop of Hostels
In a recent blog post devoted to the upcoming U.N. Summit on Sustainable Development (aka Rio+20) being held in Rio de Janeiro, I alluded to the fact that the Cidade Maravilhosa, has not been so marvelous in terms of meeting its upcoming obligations as host of upcoming mega events such as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. However, if the construction and expansion of hotels is sorely behind schedule, the same can’t be said of the city’s hostels, which are enjoying an unprecedented bloom. more >>
Brazil Keeps its Cool as World Cup Deadlines Loom
Even though there are still two years to go before Brazil kicks off its much anticipated hosting duties of the 2014 World Cup, not a day goes by where the looming event is not mentioned in the press or comes up in the most innocuous and casual conversations.
Brazilians alternately complain about the chaos and corruption surrounding the planning and/or discuss the fantastic opportunities, growth, and riches that the historic Copa do Mundo will supposedly bring. Meanwhile, as the clock continues to tick, the suspense thickens amidst constant reports that tell of the progress (or lack thereof) being made in the wake of delays, bureaucracy, and rising costs, all of which cast doubt upon Brazil’s ability to pull off such a Mega Event. more >>
Raindrops (Literally) Keep Falling on My Head
In general, Brazilians are (justifiably) famed for their sunny dispositions, and among all Brazilians, many would argue that Bahians possess the sunniest dispositions of all.
On a regular day-to-day basis, such a positive outlook on life can act as a soothing balm and serve as a refreshing reminder that no matter what trials you happen to be living through (and neurotically freaking out about or moodily brooding over), they’re probably not quite as bad as you think. Since life is short, forget your troubles, have a cerveja estupidamente gelada (“stupidly" cold beer), and get happy.
As an adopted Bahian, who has spent a lot of time living intimately with bonafide Bahians, I’ve come to appreciate this cultural characteristic quite a bit. I've even absorbed it to a certain extent. However, this week all bets were off. more >>
Take the 400 Caipirinhas and Run!
Last week when it came time to write my blog, I was forced to choose between two timely stories, both of which were being much discussed in Brazilian and international media.
One was about how Rio de Janeiro hotels were trying to gouge visitors planning to attend June’s U.N. Summit on Sustainable Development by raising rates exponentially and forcing visitors to pay for a minimum stay of several days.
The other was about how an American tourist in Rio supposedly tried to scam a luxury hotel in Copacabana.
Flip sides of the same coin?
Karmic kickback? more >>
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