Safety tips to visit Rio de Janeiro city in Brazil.

A few safety tips for you to visit Rio de Janeiro city:

1. Arrival By Tom Jobim International Airport:

a) If you have accompanied by a guide or a resident, you can choose the Uber or the Accredited Taxi from the Airport (The ticket window is at the landing);

b) If alone, I'll suggest only use the Accredited Taxi.

2. Arrival at Santos Dumont Airport:

a) Again, use Accredited taxi, common taxi, or Uber.

3. Walking around in Rio de Janeiro:

a) Within the South Zone - Uber, Taxi, and / or Subway (In this case, avoid passing from the Carioca station that is in the Center of Rio de Janeiro);

b) Avoid renting a car and driving on your own (DO NOT TRUST GPS). If using this way, drive only through the main roads, avoiding secondary streets, which can give access to dangerous places and slums (called Communities or Favelas).

4. Access to Tourist Points:

a) Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açúcar) - Safe and quiet access. Go by taxi or Uber to Praia Vermelha at Urca, and access the cableway (Bondinho) at the Main Station. Avoid walking alone on the trails that surround the Sugar Loaf.

b) Christ Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) - Go to Largo do Machado (Flamengo) by taxi, Uber, or Subway (Largo Machado Station) then take the van that gives direct access to the park. Tickets are purchased at the same location.

If you prefer to go from cableway (Bondinho), then go by taxi, or Uber to the access station in Larangeiras (avoid walking on the trails in the park alone (see the a topic again).

c) Museum of Tomorrow, Museum of Rio, Aquarium, Naval Museum - Rio Center (all of these are on a walking distance). Access is quiet and safe. I suggest you taking a taxi, or Uber to Mauá Square (Praça Mauá), and locate yourself by a secure map;

d) Beaches: Avoid carrying photo cameras, watches, earring, pendants, jewelry in general, value things, etc. Make sure you have a little money with you. If possible, while staying on the beach, take a certified copy of the passport and ID (these can be made only in Brazil - cartórios). If possible always walk accompanied by local resident.
 

e) In the other safe places, take your original identification card - passport mainly.

5. OBS: Avoid nocturnal exits; avoid going to unknown places by yourself, and avoid visiting the slums (communities/favelas) even if guided.

6. Important Phones:

a) Military Police - 190;

b) Military Firefighter - 193;

c) Special Tourist Support Office - +55(21) 2332-2924;

Website: http://www.grupounicad.com.br/deat/quem_somos.htm

d) Municipal Guard RJ: 1746.

Good luck, and have a nice trip!

Catedral of Saint Sebastion

Brazil: Tipping & Etiquette

Grilled veggies and meat at America restaurant in Sao Paulo.

I was reading this traveler article about tipping & etiquette in Brazil and I came across with a few misunderstandings I would like to address here.

Tipping is the subject and they say: "Tipping in Brazil is typically not expected nor given."

This statement is not accurate if not wrong. At some places, a tip must be given. For example, at restaurants, bars, diners, self-services, nightclubs, casual Brazilian "lanchonetes" and pubs. Other places a tip is is pretty much expected, they are hair and nail salons, but I won't talk about them today.

The website goes like this: "At almost all restaurants and bars, a standard "serviço" service fee of 10% is included as a line item at the end of the "conta" or bill. This fee is not compulsory, even though it may seem so."

This is very wrong!

The etiquette says you may tip at all places where they serve you food. Which means if the food was brought to you by a waitress, waiter, or hand given to you from anyone who works at any place where they serve food, you need to pay 10% tip. It's very, very, very rude not to pay this 10% fee. Even when the service isn't perfect nor amazing you'll see Brazilians paying it. Why wouldn't you? More important, you don't want to be those ugly Americans on vacation in Latin America, right?

On the self-services restaurants where the workers only bring you drinks or desert, you still need to pay the 10%. It's not because they didn't bring you the main course, but because they served you either drinks or desert, also known as food. You might see 10% added to the bill,  but you also can leave some cash/coins on the table for it. It's not 15%, not 20%, it's 10%, and 95% of the times is in the last line on the bill "conta" for a reason. It's there for you to pay it!

* You should always check if they didn't include more beers, but this is also for another post.

How does it work? The 10% service fee that comes from each customer goes to a fish bowl which is shared at the end of the day (or week) with all waitresses, waiters and table helpers and cleaners. Brazil is not like the US where the tip goes to a person who worked on your table. You should notice how socialist Brazil is, and this part of the "even if you suck you still get a compensation".

Ok, let's say you didn't plan well for your vacation and you don't want to pay for it. Then, follow these steps:

1. Ask to talk to the "maitre", a French word for the restaurant's manager.

2. Explain with details what is wrong with your order.

3. Wait a few seconds for an apology, compensation or similar. 

4. If they don't offer a solution or anything close to that then you say why you wouldn't pay the 10% service fee.

After all, let me know how this works out for you.

Another day at America!

See the original article is here.

Watch out America

Looking for unique things to do in Minas Gerais?

 Curious and fun facts about Brazil

#14 (see the 13th subject here)

The Estrada Real pathway crosses 3 states in Brazil (Rio, Sao Paulo, and Minas), and coat.

The Royal Road or Estrada Real is an old way to go from Tiradentes to Caxambu city in Minas Gerais State. Even better that those cities are the trip itself, the path between both ends. Be prepared for bucolic landscapes, frugal lifestyle, Brazilian history, and very interesting people to talk with.

Chances are that a true Brazilian might not understand where folks will indicate to go. Why is that? They usually say something like: “keep thru, and turn right before Joe’s house, then left after the Mrs. Mary’s farm”. Lol, like we know where those people live. So, don’t worry if you get lost for a while. Enjoy the view, and take a chance to have a cheese bread and coffee with Brazilian natives.

The Royal Highway, or in Portuguese called Estrada Real is 111 miles (180 kilometers) built by the Portuguese when Brazil was still a part of the Portuguese Royal Monarch. Their intention was to transport gold and diamonds from Minas Gerais state to the ports, and later to Portugal.

It’s a very rustic road, which means no asphalt or cement will be found on those roads. It meant to be explored by bike, bicycle, or even hiking. Be careful in the rain season without a 4W vehicle, and remember to look for one of those signs that show each 1.2 miles (2 kilometers). They will tell you what is the main road, its detours, and cities are nearby. Touristic agencies can help you with transportation from the airport in Belo Horizonte until the beginning of your journey.

The 1^st recommended stop is 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) before Tirandentes city. It’s called Engenho Boa Vista (Boa Vista Mill), and it’s the oldest you'll find in the country. Gates are always open for you talk with owners who descend from the man called Tiradentes (just like the city). Don’t forget to try the cachaça (very strong liquor made from sugar cane) which is made there since 1755 while you try sausage, fresh cheese and jabuticaba jam (read about jabuticaba fruit here).

This fresh cheese it's only found in Minas. Jabuticaba jam, a unique deli. Cachaça, the inspiring soul of caipinha drink.

If you prefer something more hillbilly like, ask for the riding horses called cavalcade. It’s a 3 hours smooth riding around farms, railroad, and rivers where Portuguese used to extract Brazilian gold. And don’t forget that January is the best time also so to see the Movie and the Gastronomic Festival on Tiradentes city.

I'll talk about Tiradentes city next time. See you there.

Want to know more curious facts about Brazil? Go here and scroll down the mouse.

Zika virus awareness

I had a delayed flight coming back home a few weeks ago, and this is what I found in a corner of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Don't let this bad bug bite you.

Heading to one of these countries?
All central and South America except Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru.

- Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET.
- Use while you travel for the three weeks after returning home.
- Wear protective clothing (long sleeves, long pants, and socks).
- Stay in place with air conditioning or window or door screen.
- Sleep under a mosquito net.

Find out what it takes to stop Zika.
Please visit dph.georgia.gov/zika

It's a good way to spread the word about these types of mosquitoes, although a few things don't seem likely to do. For example, I can't stop picturing American ladies wearing long sleeves, pants, and socks in a summertime on a tropical country. If you make it, could you send me a photo, please? Now, shall we move on? lol

Above is how the mosquito looks like on the airport sign, but this is how it looks like in real life. On my arm, yesterday in South Carolina. Very scary, even for a Brazilian lady!

I was lucky enough to kill it before it could bites me. Now I hope those American mosquitoes don't carry Zika virus.

Anyway, thinking of my friends who don't know much about it, I decided to help with some tips to aware you all of this bad guy next door.

This chart is a translation from National Geographic Brasil website.
It's in Portuguese, of course!

Anyway, you should do what it takes to miss this mosquito. It also can transmit you Dengue, and Chikungunya.

Take care.

One more website to visit, Zika.org.

Two cities, two Brazilian restaurants one great food!

Tucanos in Greenville at Magnolia Park, and Amor de Brazil in Charlotte at 74 and 51 intersection.

Let's review our findings from last couple weekends.

Two cities - Greenville vs. Charlotte

Two Brazilian restaurants - Tucanos vs. Amor de Brazil

Starting with cities, Charlotte has more things to do, but Greenville is much more charming. You may like to read more about it in here, although Tucanos restaurant isn't at downtown.

Tucanos is roomy, but they are not yet working in a full capacity. Amores is smaller, but has plenty room for you and your friends.

Talking about music, both have a variety of Brazilian music playing, not that I care for the style they choose on these places.

Directly to the subject, both names are very Brazilian. Amor de Brazil means love from Brazil, and Tucanos are those birds with the long colorful beaks.

Both places are steakhouses and they serve grilled meat or, as we say in Brazil, churrasco in a traditional Brazilian way which means those chucky pieces of meat keep passing by each table with a green signal on. You will only understand if you have being to one of those before.

A tucano at Tucanos' façade and the red/green flag for more or less meat.

BTW, both have the very traditional sign you use to "say" either YES, Sir. I want some more! or NO, I'm full as ballons on the Macy's parade.

Both can accommodate gluten free folks, just ask them about the sauces on the meat. They also can accommodate vegetarians, in case you need to follow your family or friends. In this case, I highly recommend you try the grilled pineapple. Yummy

Both have a salad buffet as complimentary to the meat walking around the empty plates.

Both have other Brazilian dishes as white rice and black beans. Tucanos had also some sushi rolls - what? Yes, we have this is Brazil too.

Both have cheese rolls or cheese bread - pão de queijo as we say in Brazil.

Both have the most famous soda you'll find in Brazil, Guaraná Antártica.

Palm hearts at Amor and rare meat at Tucanos.

Both have chicken hearts - sorry Americans, we do eat offal over there. Although in Amor de Brazil we had to ask for it, but they were glad to prepare just for us.

Both have quail eggs on the salad bar - yes, we do eat those too.

I didn't see palm hearts at Tucanos, but maybe I was distracted by the top sirloin - picanha.

Talking about picanha, hubby sad it was softer in Amor de Brazil, but both were great in my opinion. Just in case you wonder, neither place has a big fat cover on the top sirloin as we see in Brazil.

Let's talk more about drinks, Amor only has can juices, but Tucanos has fresh ones. Just like you used to drink in Brazil.

Desserts, Tucanos don't had brigadeiro, but had papaya flan with cassis liquor. Amor had some good sweets as well, although I didn't care for any at that time.

Let's go to numbers, Amor de Brazil cost $35 per person and Tucanos $23. Because Tucanos is near home, it's the winner of the day!

Now it's your time to make your opinion known. Have you being to any Brazilian steakhouse?

More post you may like.

Saturday Market on Greenville downtown, yeah that Greenville.

The 3rd Graffiti Fine Art in Sao Paulo city.

Organic Sunshine Burger review.

These things only exist in Brazil, but they have international names.

Curious and fun facts about Brazil

#13 (see other 12 subjects here)

Brazil is very unique about food, and I'm not talking about those food that you only can find in Brazil soil. Let's see some examples.

French bread

French bread (pão francês) is a staple breakfast food.

During the 19 century the Brazilian bread used to be made from a whole wheat, which means it's a dark bread. After the First World War many Brazilians come back home asking the bakers to prepare a bread with a white interior, but a golden exterior. This is called French bread in Brazil, but no one in France will know what you are talking about if you try to buy it there.

Greek rice

Greek rice (arroz à grega) gives rice a potpourri of color.

No one knows who invented this name, or where it was used for the first time in Brazil. Fact is, Brazilians will call this colorful rice as Greek rice for no reason.

Chinese pastry

Chinese pastry (pastel chinês) is another Brazilian creation.

A few hypotheses for a delicious dish that you will never find in China. The two best explanations are: 1. this was created from a fried gyoza, or 2. a Brazilian cooker was trying to make a fancy Chinese spring roll. Anyway, this still yummy.

Nederland pie

Nederland pie (torta holandesa) was also invented in Brazil.

A baker missing the years she used to live in Europe created this sweet pie in Campinas, near to Sao Paulo city. It's a surprising mix of creamed milk, chocolate and cookie served cold.

Want to see another food that only exists in Brazil? The trunk grape which last one day only, the jaboticaba

Go here to see other curious facts about Brazil.

The Beco do Batman at Sao Paulo city

Fazendo arte no Beco do Batman em São Paulo - in Portuguese, but the video uses an international language =)

Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro for your World Cup trip

The 3rd Graffiti Fine Art in Sao Paulo city

The 3rd Graffiti Fine Art in Sao Paulo, May 2015. Tiger by Viber from Belo Horizonte.

The 3rd Graffiti Fine Art happened in Sao Paulo last May at Pavilhao das Culturas Brasileiras, Ibirapuera Park.

This city is known for its urban art as you may like to see here, or something more body expressive in here.

Back to graffiti art exhibition, it had artist from Japan, United States, England, Chile, Argentina and, of course many others from various Brazilians states. I was there, and I can tell you this time the show was higher in prestige mainly because it was moved to the Pavilion in the biggest urban park at Sao Paulo city.

Enough talking, let's see some pics.

Tinho from Sao Paulo.

Close up, Tinho from Sao Paulo.

The beauty of urban art was kept at the exhibition, few pieces were done while the visitors were walking around.
Besouros e Borboletas (beatles and butterflies) by Narcélio Grud from Fortaleza.

Textures by Gen Duarte from Sao Paulo.

Gen Duarte from Sao Paulo.

Gen Duarte from Sao Paulo.

The amazing 3D effect by Tasso from Germany.

Urban art isn't street art if you don't see political subjects. 

Alexandre Keto from Sao Paulo. To the dead in Garissa, Kenya.

Bugre from Sao Paulo. About the corruption in Brazil.

The water issue in Brazil by Mundano from Sao Paulo.

This was the free bus you could ride from some specifics points in the city to get the Ibirapuera park.

More posts for you.

The Beco do Batman at Sao Paulo city

Fazendo arte no Beco do Batman em São Paulo - in Portuguese, but the video uses an international language =)

Learning about Brazil.

World Cup Semi Final

More about Brazil and World Cup?

Brazil + World Cup = DATING

Learning about Brazil.

World Cup time, PayPal is helping Neymar helps Brazilians.

Best definition about Brazilians

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Isabela: Brazilian, designer, works with automotive fabrics in the US. She did psychology college as well and had enjoyed a lot. She is living abroad for while, maybe because this she likes trends, cultures and behaviors.

Brazil + World Cup = DATING

I will let you comment this news from Brazil. I have my concept about it, though.

Want to know more about Brazil?

Guess what is the most popular app in Brazil now?

Learning about Brazil.

Basic style of negotiation around the World

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Isabela: Brazilian, designer, works with automotive fabrics in the US. She did psychology college as well and had enjoyed a lot. She is living abroad for while, maybe because this she likes trends, cultures and behaviors.

Jack, the jackfruit

Curious and fun facts about Brazil

#12 (other 11 posts here)

Jack, the jackfruit.

Jackfruit you will find across the US in the Asian market, but what you don't find here is the tree with the actual fruit as we used to see in Brazil.

Original from Malayan archipelago it's introduced in Brazil in the 18 century from Portugueses. This is a big fruit with a strong smell, and a stick latex like inside those sections. It has plenty nutritional value for you.

In 100g of pulp  you will find 

• 87.9 calories
• 2.4 g fibers
• 1.4 g proteins
• 22.5 carbohydrates
• 234 mg Potassium 
• 40 mg Magnesium
• 15 mg Vitamin C
• 14 mg Calcium
• 14 mg Phosphorus
• and Vitamins B1, B6, Zinc, Iron, Copper, Sodium.

Knowing as a heavy fruit, in both ways, a fruit can reach 30 pound easily. Is smart to avoid eating with sugar, salt or right before bed time. Some trees keep producing even after 100 years old.

The jackfruit is use in many illness as PMS, respiratory issues, sore through, and skin conditions. Full of antioxidants is also recognized as a anti-cancer, MS, and related aging problems. Even the cooked seeds can be eaten to treat anemia because they are rich in Iron. Try to boil with water and salt, or bake if you prefer.

This is how you will find the fruit in the US market.

Other Brazilian fruits you will find here. 

Brazilian fruits, guava, caqui, cashew...

White pitaya, pink pitaya and the missed yellow dragon fruit.

A real fruit bar, just what you need.

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Isabela: Brazilian, designer, works with automotive fabrics in the US. She did psychology college as well and had enjoyed a lot. She is living abroad for while, maybe because this she likes trends, cultures and behaviors.