3 Weeks in South America: Peru, Brazil, Uruguay & Chile

[bPeteb]

Sadly, Sao Paulo was my final stop in Brazil.

Each time I visit Brazil, I fall in love with it just a little bit more. The Brazilian people are some of the friendliest, happiest people in the world and they certainly know how to have fun! There's so much to see, from the country's natural beauty, to its beaches and manmade landmarks. The food is great, with so much variety depending on which part of the country you're in. It's also a highly tolerant country, where anyone and everyone can feel welcome. And despite what you may hear on the news, I don't think I've ever felt unsafe there.

Sure, it may not be the wealthiest country in the world, the infrastructure isn't great and the levels of government corruption are questionable. But there's just something about Brazil that will continue to draw me back!

Thanks for the TR Matt.
I read the Brazil posts to my partner on Saturday night while we were getting whalloped by the All Blacks (or we were whalloping the Wallabies from my partner's perspective!). Despite some concerns about the language issues we booked flight to Sao Paulo yesterday for June next year. We'll be visiting Brasilia (an overnighter just to see the architecture), Manaus and the Pantanal as well as Sao Paulo of course. We might try to get down to Paraty for a coupe of days at the end if we can. When you say unofficial Brazilian Portuguese lessons what did that entail. We think we're going to have to do the same.
Cheers Pete

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for the TR Matt.
I read the Brazil posts to my partner on Saturday night while we were getting whalloped by the All Blacks (or we were whalloping the Wallabies from my partner's perspective!). Despite some concerns about the language issues we booked flight to Sao Paulo yesterday for June next year. We'll be visiting Brasilia (an overnighter just to see the architecture), Manaus and the Pantanal as well as Sao Paulo of course. We might try to get down to Paraty for a coupe of days at the end if we can. When you say unofficial Brazilian Portuguese lessons what did that entail. We think we're going to have to do the same.
Cheers Pete

Fantastic! The country has some issues which have been well highlighted by the Olympics, but I think the good well and truly outweighs the bad and I'm certain you'll have an amazing time.

My Portuguese lessons involved meeting up with some Brazilian friends for a few hours each week, as well as using the Duolingo App. Duolingo is a good start, but on its own I don't think it's enough.

Depending on how long you'll be in Brazil, and whether you'll have anyone with you that speaks both English & Portuguese, you might want to consider some proper Portuguese classes. I don't know what's available in Brisbane, but you might be able to find (for example) evening classes that run for 2 hours/week. I did a term of German evening classes in Canberra a few years ago and from memory the cost was about $250 for 10 weeks, or thereabouts.