Posts tagged w/ beach

Favorite Brazilian Beach

Posted by Rachel
Jul
2
2009

Brazilians are very serious about their beaches, partially because they have so many beautiful ones to choose from. From Amapa to Rio Grande do Sul, there are thousands of miles of coastline.

So for today’s interactive feature, the question is: what is your favorite Brazilian beach?

I think this is an exceedingly difficult question, since I have visited so many stunningly beautiful beaches in Brazil, but still have many left to see, including those on Fernando de Noronha island, rumored to be the best in the country. I have so many favorites it’s impossible to chose, but I think some of the best states to beach hop in are Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, and Bahia.

What about you?

 
Posted under Geography, Travel
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Beach Food in Rio de Janeiro

Posted by Rachel
Jan
23
2009

On the beach and boardwalk in Rio, you can get lots of different food from mobile vendors, including boiled corn, popcorn, ice cream, churros, sandwiches, Middle Eastern food, soda, and plenty of snacks.

Now, several companies are introducing special carts to the boardwalk in Rio so you can buy a variety of food and beverages fresh. The most notable is the chope cart, a cart with a Brahma beer tap. One hundred and fifty carts are currently operating along Rio’s beaches, offering 250mL beers for R$2.90 each and 400mL beers for R$3.50 each. Some vendors have been selling up to ninety liters of beer a day.

Another company, called One, will launch a series of frozen caipirinha carts this summer, offering various flavors of the popular cocktail, including strawberry, mixed fruit, and passion fruit. Another company, Camaretto, based in the northern city of Salvador,  launched a series of carts to sell fresh grilled shrimp for R$4 a kabob, which are grilled in front of the customer.

 
Posted under Food
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Beach Democracy

Posted by Rachel
Jan
12
2009

Though Brazil is a highly stratified society, one thing Brazilians pride themselves on is the democracy of their beaches. Unlike other locations like restaurants, clubs, and stores, the beaches are open to all, and all beaches in Brazil are considered public. The beach is supposedly a place where people of any social class can feel welcome. According to famous Carioca singer Fernanda Abreu, the beach “is where poor people, rich people, ugly people, pretty people, fat people, skinny people, black people, white people, children, the elderly, gays, straight people, transvestites, Brazilians, foreigners, Cariocas, good boys and criminals can meet.”

However, according to a survey done by O Globo newspaper in Rio de Janeiro, the beach isn’t quite as democratic as many believe it to be, at least in Rio. The survey showed that although Cariocas of all social classes feel comfotable at the beach, they usually go to specific beaches and sometimes even specific points on the beach. In Ipanema, for example, Posto 9 is known for being the spot for the young and wealthy, while farther down the beach in Arpoador, the crowd is mostly working class.

In the end, the survey showed that the beachgoers only felt at home when they were at their “regular spot” on the beach with people like them. In the end, Rio’s beach democracy is one more of a segregated democracy.

 
Posted under Culture
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