So, it wasn't until the 19th century they had their first books, schools, universities, and libraries. So Brazil kind of skipped their newspaper phase and jumped right into television. (still their current/dominant source of news) It is more expensive to subscribe to magazines and newspaper in Brazil (more than the U.S.) so news is gotten from TV.
Brazil got their first constitution in 1988! (just an f.y.i)
And during our lecture several students of the University walked in to join us and participate in our discussion. They were saying that GloboTV is the most popular source of news. (was the 4th biggest network in the world at some point) It has a virtual monopoly here. (there are 147 counties in Para, all watch GLOBO)
We also learned that Belem, the city we are staying in, is the most developed city in the state of Para. In our taxi rides this appears true because of the constant construction of these new and beautiful tiled buildings we are seeing and the many towers already built. From our airplane ride over it looks bigger than LA and similar to Manhattan.
Along with the group of students we met, Isabella and Lucas joined our group again and contributing their perspective on things. When they entered, Raul posed the question of opinion about Brazil being divided into three parts. Currently Brazil is divided into 26 estados (states) and one distrito federal (federal district). There is a possibility of changing those border lines and united states so that there is a total of Three. Amazonia, Para, and S. Brazil will be the three states.( I can't find any information about it on google...) It will be a huge change to Brazil if it happens. It is supposed to unite the country and be a progressive demonstration to improve the economy. Isabella and Lucas do not think that the division is a good idea and do not believe it will benefit Belem specifically.
After class I exchanged information with a student, Paula. All of the students were so open to sharing ideas and so kind and forgiving to our poorly spoken Portuguese. (Their English is tremendously better than our Portuguese.) When we left the University we headed to the church: Basilica de Nazare.
The church holds the largest religious procession in Brazil takes place on the second Sunday of October (Cirio de Nazare) People from all over the world travel to walk the streets for this event (two week festival). The Candle is carried out of the Sanctuary Bethlehem/Basilica Archdiocese of Nazareth, by the Management of the Party of Nazareth and Community Shalom. They walk t
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cantornandomendes.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/cirio.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cantornandomendes.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/cirio-musical-belem-do-para/&usg=__mZSC_wbkbomRDWQH-BrG1_nyY40=&h=450&w=306&sz=74&hl=en&start=6&sig2=eevW6EgJ5wxMqmNrzEGH9Q&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=huuKhA09M30zLM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3DCirio%2Bde%2BNazare%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=SOcSTNiGJKjknQemzIiMDA
"Círio de Nazaré revolves around a small statue of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazareth).
Supposedly sculpted in Nazareth (Galilee), the image of is believed to have performed miracles in medieval Portugal before getting lost in Brazil. A humble cattleman rediscovered it in 1700 on the site of Belém’s Basílica de NS de Nazaré.Since 1793, pilgrims have come from all over Brazil to honour the Virgin and work up an Amazonian sweat. Having been taken from Belém to Icoaraci, the statue is carried back to the city in a river procession of hundreds of boats. The following morning, millions of people fill the streets, along with the sounds of hymns, bells and fireworks, to accompany the image from Catedral da Sé to the basilica." (http://journals.worldnomads.com/worldfestivals/story/32650/Brazil/October-Cirio-de-Nazare-Brazil)
While exploring the architectural beauty inside the Basilica de Nazare our professor Raul received a call about our classmate Patrick's luggage! (Patrick hasn't had his bags all week, we have all been waiting for status on its delivery, poor guy!) It turns out TAM would not deliver it to the hotel so Raul and Patrick decided to drive over there right away and meet back up with us for lunch.
The rest of us walked over to a religious gift shop near the church and also purchased these ribbons that you tie in three knots and make a wish for each knot, when the knots come undone the wish will be fulfilled.
After giving our blessings and making our wishes we walked over to one of the major high schools in the area, where both Lucas and Isabelle went to school. The age groups start from pre-school through end of high school, (the h.s. is only three years here)
Then we roamed the shops in the area and entered a few bikini shops to see the different styles and prices.
After a little exploring around the shops we met back with Raul and Patrick (now has possession of all his belongings!) at the restaurant next door to the church. (Another excellent buffet.)
After our stomachs were too full to eat any more we got into two cars and drove to our field trip of the day at Espaco Sao Jose Liberto, which is now a rocks and minerals museum. The building has a very interesting history (1749) in the beginning being used for gunpowder storage and military purposes, and then a prison up until the year 2000. Now the cells are used as jewelry shops and a craft sales area, as well as a gems and indigenous artifacts museum.
In the plaza of the museum we stopped at a sorvete (ice cream shop). The coco (coconut) and the acai sorvete are my favorites! I still have to try the tapioca which everyone raves about. There were many gift shops with beautiful gems and jewelry. Lots of amethyst and quartz stones.
After the field trip we went back to the hotel for a shower and a rest (blogging opportunity) before going out for the evening with Lucas and Isabella. They had planned for us to join them at a bar and live music restaurant in a very nice area of Belem. When we arrived the parking garage was not available but we found a place right outside of the restaurant. When we walked in the manager informed us that there would NOT be live music that evening, so we drove to a nearby area that looks very similar to the 2nd Street in Long Beach, CA. A strip of bars and restaurants, a kind of nightlife area where we found our way into a Rock n Roll Restaurant, filled with American music posters, records, and memorabilia.
AC/DC was the most represented band and our table got two orders of AC/DC filets which was an excellent "appetizer" of strips of filet mignon topped with a cheese spread and onions/vegetables served with biscotti toast breads. So delicious and filling! Oh yes and $2 beer (600ml of Skol) yum!
Oh and not to forget the ABSINTHE drink also containing vodka, rum, and gin! $@#%^%
I had a sip, but Patrick ordered and finished the drink. (did not see any green fairies though...)
The night did get a little wild with the alcohal continuously flowing and me and a 60+ year old man dancing with each other from across the room: pointing, blowing kisses, and dedicating songs to each other. There might be video of this posted later...The live band was awesome and the music and dancing was so much fun!
Around 1-2am it was time to head back to the hotel to review my notes for my presentation early the next morning. (8:30am)
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