The most traditional popular celebration in Brazil, carnival, sinthetizes the country´s soul. For four days, the joyful feeling spread over the streets and squares from all parts of the country.

As carnival season opens, Brazilians start to make a kind of annual balance. It´s time to renew experiences. Itá also time to protest against corrupt politicians, to complain about the poverty and give creative suggestions to turn the country into a fair place to live in.  However, a good mood is the spice of it all.

Religious ceremonies give the party a special flavor  in Bahia. In Rio, samba schools are the main attraction. In Pernambuco, a single group gathers 1,5 million people in its lines. In São Paulo, the crowded and busiest city in the country, a modern samba stadium receives more and more schools.

For months, the samba schools and the small groups prepare meticulously their exhibitions. Luxury and beauty are elements in all parades and shows.  The songs, the costumes and the ornaments interpretate either brazilian history or an important comment on the country´s recent issues.

At the beggining of the century, samba was taken by the rulling class as noisy, unpleasant and almost criminal way of statement.  By the 50´s, however, there were changes on the relationship between samba, the government  and the society representatives in Rio. Gradually they began to support the popular carnival parties. The samba school parades mesmerized  the TV audiences and proved to be excellent business for the advertisers. At last, samba was accepted as genuine and cultural statement.

And where will Shy spend those nice scorching hot days? Honestly, dear reader… Anywhere far from any hectic pace, and close to any tv set where the displays can be seen…

It is Carnival time!!!

Thanks to Imbi for this lotus picture!

Have a nice week!!!

GaucheAngel has found this, and I do recommend it! It is an American site specialized in Brazilian music. A very good site where you can also find some music samples.

Talk about link, I have got this one in my mail box. For those who love those emode tests, here is something I believe to be more serious and accurate!  Colorgenics 

Have fun!

A visit to the Sao Bento monastery is good for the eyes, the stomach and mainly for the heart.

It´s almost a quarter to noon. On Sao Bento Plaza, there is much heat, buses and motorbikes noise, and people walking in a frenetic pace. It seems impossible, but next to this same agitated scene, there is a calm place.

Everyday, at 11:45 sharp, the monks of Sao Bento Monastery get together in the Basilica of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (popularly known as São Bento Monastery) to celebrate the Meridian Hour.

One who visits the place at that time, hardly believes in what one sees. Right after the bells ring, silence is only broken  by the prayers sung in Latin. After making one of the many daily tasks, the monks leave in silence.

The tranquility is only one of the pleasant features of the place. And, even if one is not a very religious person, one may find good reasons to visit it. The Monastery is also stage of many cultural events throughout the year.

Some visitors get a little bothered by the lack of illumination. But during the early masses, mainly on sunny days, the place seems ethereal. The altar gains a golden colour…torches of light coming from outside cross the entire ambient.

Sometimes I like going there after lunch time. I sit, and I observe the liturgical scenes painted on the ceiling and walls. After being there for some time, I pay a visit to the Monastery little store. Among the religious books, images, and medals, there are some sorts of bread and cakes made by the monks. They go very well with some coffee and tea later in the afternoon….

Have a nice week, you all!!

“I believe that Imagination is stronger than Knowledge.

That Myth is more potent than reality.

That Dreams are more powerful than Facts.

That Hope always triumphs over Experience.

That Laughter is the only cure for Grief

And I believe that Love is stronger than Death.”

- Robert Fulgham

Something that makes sense to me now. I may change my mind tomorrow… Till then, have a nice weekend!

Portia has asked me this link. Hope I have made it right so that you all can enjoy!

Bossa Nova

I love reading. And I love those who amuse me with their
gift of writing. I admire who can express what is in
mind with words… In poetry or prose, I like to be
taken by people´s words and be driven to their minds.
Even if those words don´t belong to any reality, it is
interesting to learn more of others´ thoughts… And
here, the chance of sharing comments do make this habit
a bit more exciting.

Me, if I had to express something, I would feel more
comfortable using gestures, music and painting! But Jim´s
blog has inspired me today. He expresses what he feels by
mentioning something i like too: Bossa Nova.

The sexy, lyrical music of this typical Brazilian rhythm
seems to haunt everyone´s deepest sad feelings once one
listens to it. It seems it was born out of ‘saudade”.
Saudade is a Brazilian word that roughly translates
into ‘melancholy,’ but it also implies a kind of longing
for a happiness that is no longer within reach, a kind
of homesickness….It is a term often used to describe
Brazilian music, particularly samba and Bossa Nova…. 

But it not only suggests sadness. It could also cause a
mediation on the hilarious and sometimes heart-wrenching
journey to find love in the fast-paced, ever changing
world we live in.

I have selected one of my favorite songs, fortunately I
could find some English lyrics. I do hope you like it.
Till then.. I´ll try to teach my boyfriend some Portuguese. I have already taught him some words… I want to make sure he´ll understand it when I say my soul has always missed him!

Don’t Ever Go Away

Ah! take a look and you’ll see the way I have become and the way things became

Sadness and sorrow are here in all little things you touched with your hands

This loving home was a home so happy to protect you and keep you with care

The flowers in the window were smiling, were glowing just knowing you were there

Listen my love, never more don’t ever go away

We are your life and your dream and we want you to stay

Come in my love, come to me   don’t let this heartless world  bring another “good-bye”

Embrace me in a simple way don’t speak don’t remember and darling don’t cry

 

It is official! My computer is broken! See you guys in some time then!

 The magic of the book is exactly the capacity of each reader to create an only, singular world. But after seeing the work of Jackson, I´m pretty sure about one thing. It is worth to run the risk.  The first film of the trilogy is a piece of art! and it has left me stuned in perceiving that my imagination has not been enough creative to imagine so great armies and scenes while I read the books.   

Have fun!