5 Reasons Why I Love Brazil

Getting robbed, being held at gunpoint by the police and infuriating bureaucracy. From these things that happened to me during my time in Rio de Janeiro, you would expect me never to go back to the country, but these experiences were just a tiny proportion of what happened during my two months there. Two things I really like to do are to watch football and go to the beach and to say the least, there is a lot of both in Brazil.

 During my time in Rio, I learned a lot, I watched Flamengo matches with Flamenguistas, I learned how to surf, I learned how to dance like a Brazilian and so much about Brazilian culture. On my first day after my dad went home, I woke up and left my guesthouse to walk the streets of Ipanema, I was terrified thinking that any random person on the street could pull a gun on me, thousands of miles away from home in a country whose language I had only just learned, I was thinking why the hell did I decide to go to Rio de Janeiro?

5. Brazilian People are the True Wonders of Brazil

People in Scotland expect that I would stick out like a sore thumb in while I was there, even I thought this would be the case, however many Cariocas were quick to tell me that I 'looked' Brazilian. There is no one way to look Brazilian, a country of more than forty times the population of Scotland is mind-bogglingly diverse. Brazil is made up of people who can trace their ancestry from Portugal, Africa, Italy, Germany and even Japan and The Levant among others. Most Brazilians I have met are genuine, honest people who are extremely outgoing and value friendship highly.

You can spend a couple of hours with a Brazilian you have just met and it feels like you have known them for years. During my time in Rio, I made a good few friends, one of them I met the day of the world cup final that we watched together, when I travelled in China and Central Europe I met a ton of Brazilians. I still talk to the people I met in Rio to this day.

 

4. Brazilian Music is Cultural Mastery

It is well known that Brazilians love to dance, then it only makes sense that their music can go with their rhythm. Brazil is famous for bossa nova and most notably samba music. Sergio Mendes's Mas Que Nada and Tom Jobim's Garota da Ipanema are some of the classics you might know about. Furthermore a more modern example is Ai se eu te Pego by Michel Teló was a hit back in 2011. These days the musical genre of baile funk is hugely popular in Brazil and artists such as Dennis DJ and Anitta whose music I enjoy. However, my favourite has to be the old school Jorge Ben Jor, his music is incredible beyond words, if you want to look for yourself, go listen to Ive Brussel, W Brasil and Zumbi. 

3. They are Extremely Passionate About Football

In Brazil, football isn't just something you do on a Saturday, it is a way of life and there is no doubt about how they managed to produce some of the finest players of the beautiful game. Péle, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, Ronaldinho, Mariano, Gabriel Jesus and Dani Alves among others. They are the international team with the most world cups at five and nine Copa América victories under their belt. When you see the players in the bright yellow shirts, you can only think about immense skill and prestige. A souvenir I bought from Rio was a national team jacket, but sadly it is slightly worn out.

If you go to a Brazilian football match, you can see how passionate they are, I got to experience a Flamengo match at the Maracanã, witnessing tens of thousands of supporters standing and chanting. This wasn't a big derby or anything, it was against Vitória. Flamengo are a huge club with a 'nation' of fans. Other than Flamengo, Brazil has countless clubs with masses of fans such as Sao Paulo FC, Athletico Mineiro, Cruzeiro and Corinthians.

2. Brazilian Food and Drink is Unusual, but Incredible  

Without debate, Guaraná is my favourite soft drink ever, tasting it for the first time feels like a whole new taste, Brazilian beer is also phenomenal, Brahma, Bohemia and Antarctica are some of the best Brazilian beers. Brazilian food is legit, most notably feijoada a meal of black beans with pork, though it may look odd, it is not only healthy, but also satisfying. Furthermore, Brazilian empanadas are delicious, but, Brazilian chocolate stands above the others, it tastes much much stronger, brigadeiros are delicious and something you have to try at least once. There is so much more to Brazilian cuisine and I have to say I encourage you to go out and try it for yourself.

1. Brazil is Visually Breathtaking

I can safely say that Brazil is one of the most beautiful countries in the world for scenery and I've only been to a few places in Brazil. I have seen loads of places on the internet around Brazil that just look exquisite, such as Lençois Maranheses, Ouro Preto and Salvador. However, some of the things I have seen from my own experience have been incredible, there is nothing like watching the sunset at Arpoador on a Sunday, seeing Foz do Iguaçu and walking through the Amazon rainforest. There is so much more I have to see, Brazil a huge country with natural scenery and eye-catching architecture all across the country.

I have to say that Brazil is not for beginners is a very true saying, Brazil is an extremely challenging place to visit, however, out of the challenges that Brazil presents, it will blow you away. I spent two months volunteering for Edumais, an NGO which focuses on teaching english to underprivileged children in Rio de Janeiro. They are a fantastic organisation, Edumais are always looking for people who can volunteer for them and I highly recommend such an experience. If you are interested in volunteering with them, you can find out about it here.