What's something Brazilians absolutely love, but they can't find in Brazil.

This was a fair question from a friend who was going to visit Brazil. " What they absolutely love?"    

Here is my answer.

Chocolates! It’s hard to find a Brazilian who doesn’t have a sweet tooth, or doesn’t like chocolates. I recommend you buy any recognized brand of chocolate in its new flavor, or shape. You can buy the special edition of some brand they know, like a 4th the July, or Halloween edition Kit Kat bite size.

For example, last year I brought all types of the M&Ms bars for each one in my family to choose by color. They have M&Ms there, but not these! So it was a success.

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!

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Real Food Daily restaurant in California

 

Two cities, two Brazilian restaurants one great food!

 

How about taking fashion to a next level? Iodine bindi for Indians.

 

Real Food Daily restaurant in California

Real Food Daily it's a charming restaurant in California. It was there I've also decided to try my new approach for eating safely.

After searching the menu without feeling confident about their mixing greens and vegetables, I asked them to make a salad with my choice of ingredients. They are the ones I know I can eat without reactions.

Here is the happy end of another story of eating out without allergic reactions.

Here is my list based on their menu.

The salads and starters menu.

The charm.

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.

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DISCLAIMER

All material on this CORN FREE session is intended for reference only and should not take place of medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please use common sense, do your own research, and consult your physician when making decisions about your health.

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.

Saturday Market on Greenville downtown, yeah that Greenville.

There's always something cool going on downtown Greenville. Since two months ago, the most finest fresh and locally grown produce has being sold on Main Street. Check my pics from last Saturday to inspire you.

On Main, the Saturday Market ends on E. Court Street.

If you don't feel like cooking, I suggest you go directly to the food truck, enjoy the music, and go buy other types of products. I guarantee you'll find a great variety of local gems.

Food trucks, music and special yarns.

You may like having your flip flops made before your very eyes, by Cooks Flip Flops.

Pick your size, choose the color for the sole and straps, and tah dah!

BUT if you enjoy cooking, there are a handful of great options for you.

Local eggs for the early birds, it's not my case.

Sneak in some veggies and fruits.

If you can handle gluten, try those handmade flavored pasta with a good variety of sauces.

Don't forget the organic local meat from Gibson Farms.

Also a Brazilian coffee that smells sooo good that I couldn't resist!

West End Coffee

Yeah, that Greenville! Next Saturday, I recommend you bring all family, and invite some friends for a fun interactive event on Main.

From May 2nd to October 31st on 102 S Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601, every Saturday at 8:30am to 12:30pm.

For more information, visit the website.

Bastille Days in the Southern US, a celebration.

I don't always get a disease, but when I do it's something with a weird name.

Organic Sunshine Burger review.

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.

Organic Sunshine Burger review.

Gluten-free lunch option.

Mushroom shiitake burger looks nice at the pan, but not... and I'll explain why.

It's organic, gluten free, soy free, and vegan. The flavor is good, but texture is not. It has hard pieces in it, and I know they are nuts, walnuts I think, but they seams like something is wrong there. Remember me those hard cartilaginous pieces in the second quality meat or chicken.

Besides that, is a good vegetarian option and source of vitamins, minerals.

This is other post I wrote about a different brand of burger. Quinoa burgers, soy-free, wheat-free, nut-free, egg-free, dairy-free, corn-free, gluten-free.

Even these kind of transparency round ingredients look like cartilage for me.

Sunshine Burger, organic shiitake mushroom package.

Photo is pretty, as always.

Ingredients are brown rice, raw sunflower seeds, carrots, quinoa, shiitake mushrooms, onion, garlic, and sea salt.

More posts for you.

Gluten, dairy, corn FREE, and vegetarian pancake.

It's online and free for limited time only. Go watch BOUGHT

Testing for your olive oil.

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DISCLAIMER

All material on this CORN FREE session is intended for reference only and should not take place of medical advice from a license practitioner. Please use common sense, do your own research, and consult your physician when making decisions about your health.