Posted by Rachel
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 by Rachel
In Brazil, soccer is life, and your favorite local team can define who you are. While everyone roots for the national team, rivalries run deep amongst city teams, where the heart of Brazilian soccer really lies.
So for today’s interactive feature, the question is: what’s your favorite Brazilian soccer team?
In Rio de Janeiro, there are four teams: Fluminense, Vasco, Flamengo and Botafogo. I don’t have a preference, since attending a game to see any of the teams play is a wonderful cultural experience.
What about you?
Posted by Rachel
For today’s interactive feature, the question is: what is your favorite Brazilian TV show?
Though Brazil is best known for its novelas, it also has produced some interesting reality shows, often local adaptations of foreign reality shows. I happen to be a big fan of “Troca de Familia,” a Brazilian adaptation of the American show, in which wives (and sometimes husbands) switch families for a week to gain some perspective on their own family. It is a great glimpse into Brazilian culture and the vast socioeconomic and regional divides that exist in Brazil.
What about you?
Posted by Rachel
Since we discussed the topic earlier in the week, for today’s interactive feature we’re going to talk about movies. Today’s question is: what is your favorite Brazilian film?
Unfortunately, due to a low popularity in foreign films, not many Brazilian films are released in US theaters, and those who have seen Brazilian movies have usually just seen City of God. But there are a lot of great ones out there worth seeing that you can find on DVD, through Netflix, or ordering them online.
My personal favorite is Central do Brasil (Central Station) directed by Walter Salles and starring Brazilian film star Fernanda Montenegro. It was nominated for two Oscars in 1999 and won numerous international film awards, and really is a spectacular movie. It tells the story of an older woman who befriends a young boy in Rio de Janeiro, and the journey they take together in search of the boy’s father.
What about you?
Posted by Rachel
Today’s interactive feature has to do with travel, rather than language. The question at hand is:
What’s your favorite city in Brazil?
This is a tricky question, since I’ve loved every city I’ve been to in Brazil, and there are so many that I haven’t been to yet. In terms of big cities, my favorite is Rio de Janeiro. In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful big city in the world. Even though it has the reputation for being a laid back beach city, it also has wonderful museums, movie theaters, exhibitions, and shows, as well as its famed music, beaches, and tourist attractions.
My favorite small city is Tiradentes, a colonial town located in Minas Gerais. The colonial architecture and streets have been preserved, so visiting the city is like going back in time. It has stunning views of the surrounding mountains and countryside, and it is also very hip, with cool cafés, pousadas, and restaurants.
What about you?
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