“Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking, and when she passes each one she passes goes - ah. When she walks she’s like a samba that swings so cool and sways so gentle that when she passes each one she passes goes - ah.”Vinicius de Moraes, Girl From Ipanema
You might have heard about Brazil through a beauty salon that offers the popular Brazilian Waxing, seen Brazilian top models in Victoria's Secrets ads, or heard the famous Bossa Nova song, "Girl From Ipanema" on the radio. This post is dedicated to telling you a bit more about Brazil.
Lula and the Brazilian Way
Brazilians are known to be very friendly, compared to other cultures. Lula is the President and the capital of is Brasília, located strategically in the middle of the country. Brazilians are good workers, dedicated and positive, and the economy is rocketing.
Girl f
rom Ipanema and Bossa Nova
In Brazil, to do something with "Bossa" is to do it with a particular charm and natural flair, as in an innate ability. The first thing it comes in my mind when we talk about Bossa Nova is the image of the "Girl of Ipanema" muse, whose walk and smile, inspired Vinícius de Moraes to compose one of Brazil's most famous Bossa Nova songs. João Gilberto, Vinícius de Moraes, Sylvinha Telles, Carlinhos Lyra, Nara Leão, Luizinho Eça, Roberto Menescal are some of the Bosssa Nova composers. Bebel Gilberto is our recent reference - she lives in the US and plays in a soft and cool Bossa Nova lounge style. Besides Bossa Nova, the range of dances and music style is wide, with lambada, samba, pagode, axe Bahia, forró, among others.
Brazilians love sports
Soccer, beach soccer, volleyball, beach volley, formula 1, triathlon, swimming, marathon, capoeira, jiu-jitsu are our favorite sports. You see action everywhere you go. If you are going to work-out, the verb used is "marombar" or "malhar." At the beach, girls wear bikinis and boys wear speedos. Fashion trends change every season; even the size of the swimwear - that's why we have Brazilian waxing.
Rice, beans, and açaí
Brazilians cook every day fresh food: rice & beans, a portion of meat, some veggies and a salad, all in one plate. After the gym, you eat açaí, the cherry-like fruit smoothy mixed with guaraná syrup, banana and granola that you eat with the spoon. Açaí is a fruit known to be one of the most rich and powerful antioxidant and is a trend that started in Rio de Janeiro.
Plastic surgery is very common, and one of the best plastic surgeons in the world is Brazilian. Funny thing: in the 90's, Brazilians did breast reductions; now it's all about enhancement!
Brazilian girls dye the hair with a special honey color - but just the girls! I was in Brazil with my hubby, and he noted that Brazilians have a very unique honey hair color. I asked him to find any men with the same "special" color. He couldn't...
Caipirinha, Baby Doll parties, and more parties!
The national drink is caipirinha, made with cachaça, sugar, and lemon. Carnaval is in February...Meanwhile, you have parties to attend: Vital, PJ's party, Baby-doll's party, Club Big Beatles presentation at the beach... and more parties!
Next time you meet a Brazilian be sure to say, "Tudo bom?" You'll bring a smile to their face and make your first Brazilian friend! 
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