à chacun son goût

En attendant...

Interrogé sur leur intentions de aller au Brésil en vacances, le québecois répondre:

- Mais oui, je cherche une belle litière.

(oui, exactement ce qui a été dit avec une incroyable supériorité sur le sud! - c'est-à-dire tout ce qui viens de l'Amérique Latine!)

Quel irrespect! 

J'aime vraiment le Québec, les gens d'ici, sa culture, puis je n'aurais jamais pensé en écouter un si fort insulte... Alors, excuse-moi, mais: pauvres chauvinistes ces (ostie de) losers égocentriques qui ne voient que leur souverainisme! S'il y a certains québecois qui croient même que leur "pays" est le meilleur endroit au monde, je voudrais qu'ils entendent (seulement un petit peu - au moins!) ce que tous les autres canadiens ont à dire par rapport à cette province francophone, et son peuple compris.

Une place pour chaque chose et chaque chose à sa place... Quelle ironie!

Vive le Canada et son acceptation des différences! 

J'ADORE ça: de la tolérance en plusieurs niveaux.

the monster

I feel myself as a bizarre 'being' attempting something impossible as long as I dare the improbable, besides dealing with alien's incoherence.

A matter of culture? I wouldn't say that... It's more some kind of internal motivation (or its absence, indeed).

By hook or by crook, nobody deserves this!

Respect is something fundamental. We are not supposed to ask for it. 

things has changed

You say "Today is the 50th anniversary of Hitchcock's Birds" and (unfortunately) teens maybe (in fact: PROBABLY) won't know what are you talking about. For them, "The Birds" are the angry ones, from videogames.

I hope my children discern both. After all, if even I have heard about 'their', why my kids won't be able to be acquainted with 'ours'?! Knowlegde is exchange: from generation to generation - in any case.

é melhor ser alegre que ser triste

photo by Nicole Nandes

Just a solace for being a guest of Bebel Gilberto's live DVD shooting (happening now, at Arpoador beach, in Rio), and not be there...

I miss the beach, my friends and family, besides all cultural Brazilian buzz and our well-known human-warmth.

Furthermore, I love bossa nova!
(isto é muito natural ♥)

lusarab

It's impressive how similar we, Brazilian people, descendants of Portugueses, are in relation to Arabs. Namely concerning gastronomy.

Some ties I've noticed:

- Cabagge;
- Condensed milk;
- Esfihas;
- Kibes;
- Lentils;
- Olive oil (in Portuguese: azeite, from the Arabic az-zayt);
- Oranges (in Portuguese: laranjas, from the Arabic naranj);
- Rosemary (in Portuguese: alecrim, from the Arabic al-iklil);
- Sirup (in Portuguese: xarope, from the Arabic xarab);
- Sugar (in Portuguese: açúcar, from the Arabic as-sukar)

More:

- Blue (in Portuguese: azul, from the Arabic al-lzaward);
- Cotton (in Portuguese: algodão, from the Arabic al-kutun);
- Custom (in Portuguese: alfândega, from the Arabic al-funduq);
- Market/warehouse (in Portuguese: armazém, from the Arabic al-Makhzan);
- Migraine  in Portuguese: enxaqueca, from the Arabic xaqiqa)
- Tile (in Portuguese: azulejo, from the Arabic al-zuleij)

Among lots of other examples...

Well, it's natural. Moors invaded Portugal from 8th century... Something always remains, in different branchs.

Actually, even in both languages we detect a huge association. Probably, the fact of living abrod has enabled me to distinguish and recognize such parity more easily.

boo!

Fantômes, vampires, sorcières, loups-garous, zoombies et toutes les genres de monstres typiques d'Halloween... Je jamais ne pensais d'être si impliqué dans cette culture!

C'est beau... les enfants (et même les adultes!) se déguisent, puis les gamins cherchent des bonbons, plusieurs histoires d'horreur sont racontés, les maisons et les rues sont fortement décorées pour cette occasion. De plus, c'est le meilleur party de l'année! Le plus trippant!

En étant à l'Amérique du Nord, c'est impossible ne pas s'engager! C'est comme aller au Brésil et ne pas y célébrer le carnaval! En outre, pour eux, c'est vraiment comme ça: leur carnaval!

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xô!

Par contre, je comprends les gens là-bas qui s'opposent à ces festivités qui ne nous appartiennent pas. Je suis d'accord: sauf les écoles d'anglais ou de la culture anglaise, je ne crois pas qu'on doive les fêter avidement alors que certaines traditions brésiliennes, plus significatives à nous, sont mises de côté pour commémorer la réjouissance des autres.

Dans ce contexte, au pays du soccer:

Salut au Saci Pererê et à Mula Sem Cabeça! Vive le folklore nationale!

stylish!

To celebrate 'All Hallows Evening' in high-profile, I chose to embody a Mexican Death. Heavy make-up, flowers on hair... Cool! It worked perfectly.

Inspired by Latin traditions, it was the best option, a bang costume. Furthermore, commemorate the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is something more similar to my culture than the North American Halloween by itself.

By the way, our Finados, is also on 2th November.

___________________________________________________________

*Well, with the talent (puis les beaux arts) of my husband, AT LEAST we tried...

de la culture, n'importe où

18h30 d'un jour de semaine... Il fait tout temps chaud dans le métro.

Il n'y avait pas du monde dans le vagon, seulement 18 personnes.

Une lisait le journal (pas les gratuits), une autre était à feuilleter une revue, et une troisième regardait attentivement un prospectus.

Deux autres écoutaient de la musique sur ses ipods, pendant deux autres jouaient sur ses mobiles (ou checkaient des messages...).

Cependant, ce qui a retenu mon attention, c'était le fait que huit passagers lisaiet des livres... parmi lesquels, plusieus appartenaient à la Grande Biliothèque! (son tampon est tellement apparent qu'il est impossible de ne pas remarquer!)

Les trois dernières ne regardait rien - peut-être les fenêtres, en attendant qui le temps passait vite... C'est pas fou, ça arrive.

La majorité des gens, donc, avait le savoir sur les mains durant le voyage! C'est bien.

J'aime ça d'ici, cette culture. 

___________________________________________________________
 

Des livres, ils nous apportent où bon nous semble. N'importe où.

bah!

I suggest to read this post listening this song: Vento Negro - It shakes me in emotion... while missing my origins. After all:

"Quem vai embora tem que saber
É viração"

(or Renato Borghetti's Milonga para as Missões - doesn't matter... I love both!)
 

Today, celebrating our "national" hoIiday, I just can say I'm 'gaúcha'. Proudly! (before being a Brazilian citizen, inclusively)

Many people may don't understand why... Unfortunately, our roots haven't passed all frontiers yet - literally. Otherwise, thankfully, our literature succeeded. So it's possible got to know us by reading O Tempo e o Vento (one of my favorites!).

Basicaly, I can introduce us affirming we (generally) drink chimarrão, eat churrasco, love campfires and horses, have strong  ties with the countryside, speak portunhol and carry a Rio Grande do Sul flag anywhere (with another of Inter or Grêmio too!). However, what defines us better is the fact we do all these things having so much pride of being as that!

Actually, it's more than just drink a hot (yerba) mate... it is "matear"! (yes, there is a specific verb for that!) Furthermore, it's also beyond the barbecue... it's the event happening itself - maybe dancing fandango, chula, or xote. With our own dialect, music, tradition, customs, festivals and clothes, we easily distinguish ourselves of the others in Brazil. The rest isn't as us... definitely.

By the way, we are (predominantly) separatists too. There is an evident provincialism, although we accept the neighbors. And we are not alone... as we can verify in Los Hermanos, by Mercedes Sosa : 

"Yo tengo tantos hermanos
Que no los puedo contar
Y una hermana muy hermosa
Que se llama libertad"

That's it! - as beautiful as anyone can be, since a child.

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"É o meu Rio Grande do Sul, céu, sol, sul, terra e cor
Onde tudo que se planta cresce, o que mais floresce é o amor"

enlightened spirits help

Ok, it's a typical Brazilian thing... 

However, I love it. I feel myself protected.

Necessary. 

I'm blessed, I know. Thanks!
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Do as you please: as you sow, so shall you reap!

des citrouilles

Partout:

as a child

Happy - after all, who doesn’t like to gain gifts? As a little girl, I confess I was astonished when my father gave me his own poncho - something I know that it is special for him due to its gaucho's tradition, our culture.

Even surprised, I couldn’t deny… It will be more worth for me. Essential - it’s possible to say, owing to the severe cold weather. Now, I can’t stop thinking in other types which I might ask “mom” or “dad” later!

By the way, it is really in right now. Simply perfect!

narrow-minded time

Big Brother on TV - Where being stupid is a good stroke done.

It says that next year will be the last time we are going to see a group of people confined (together) into a house, being watched full time. Finally! Enough clowning…

Our BB(B), this year, have just presented a different end compared by the prior others: surprisingly, who won the tv show was a pretty bitch with a good heart and few active neurons - something unlikely before… when only smarter or poor individuals used to become rich.

In fact, Maria took the award as a consequence of being a good person and not because of her nice face or her curved body. Her both sincerely and innocent way, (besides funny) to deal with the emotionally strong situations in the game gave her R$ 1 million and a half - not bad!

The main audience is feminine (who votes online, calls or sends messages by mobile). For the first time, they frankly enjoy a girl-player. Maria is the proof that Globo was looking for something new, unpredicted. After all, a gay and others (more than) three handsome calm guys have stepped out there as champions, or at least as vice. Thus, this time was the women turn.

When George Orwell wrote 1984, in 1948, I guess he never could imagine that his words would be a kind of prophecy, chiefly: "Ignorance is Strength". Nevertheless, it came true while Big Brother is the powerful attraction on TV - mainly in Brazil. Here, the numbers - of votes etc are the highest.

Our population simply loves to participate. It is up to them decide who is the main ephemeral celebrity at the moment in the country. It is like a national passion. Easy to happen once most of us are not prepared to shelter ourselves of this abundance of frivolousness, thoughtlessness and futility.

Maybe they like to see themselves there as on a mirror, bringing about this results. Thinking better, perhaps Orwell had hit home as a result of his conclusion that indeed (this type of) Freedom is Slavery - of our knowledge, instruction, wisdom, erudition or cultural background. In this case, limited not only by being between four walls but due to the low intellectual capacity of the participants and also of the audience.

the real worth for each one

Mutual? - I used to say that the love and the others good feelings SHOULD be like that… After all, why not?

What kind of magic happens and makes us like somebody and not the person beside.  Further: Why not be interested by who likes us? - at least, it’ll be easier (for both). However, doesn’t works like that and, probably, we are going to fall in love for who doesn’t care about us…

Amsterdam (ALWAYS Amsterdam… after all, I love it!) - It was there where both friends David and Matt met Christina, a fake French prostitute. Where she could be there as a whore? Red Light District, of course. Unfortunately, I lost this part… I arrived late in theatre, owing to have been invited almost at time. I saw since the moment they already are at they room talking, smoking, knowing each other.

Inverno da Luz Vermelha, brought me this thought. With Marjorie Estiano, André Frateschi and Rafael Primot, this play presents a unfortunate love bizarre triangle. Despite of both actors being unknown (for me - I believe they are from São Paulo’s theatre), they are very good. Nevertheless, I’m not going to deny that I’ve preferred the ‘Matt’ one. She is also pretty well as this role, displaying a sculptural slim body while teasing with sensual acts.

Written by Adam Rapp, the production is easy-going due to attractive appeals such as the music and the sensuality (Marjorie sings and dance in a “private” pocket show for the guys - the masculine audience has got sweaty at this moment). Moreover, prostitution and AIDS - not only interesting (and also still existing), but popular issues gave more seriousness for the text.

Matt loves Ana (actually, this is her real name), Ana loves David, and this last simply doesn’t care. The importance of what occurred in the past for Matt is, in another tone, the same of Ana’s for his best friend. It is unexplainable the way we conduce our feelings - for one, everything; for the other, in the same time (even lived the same thing), means nothing.

Predicted (I’ve studied and written scripts, so… ), when she said she was HIV positive and the phone rung, it was not difficult to guess what would happen between Ana and David! Even though, the scene was heavy - an anal sex, never seen on TV,  with Marjorie (until now, a fragile actress, a quite paltry singer) as a protagonist.

I enjoyed it! Mainly as a consequence of abstracted loves (not reciprocal), the hybrid of intelligence and ingenuousness of Matt, his no prejudice too. Even Amsterdam being in a second plan, and the story have transferred to São Paulo’s reality - a stupid mean to became this plot closer of us. Not necessary, in my opinion.     

  

I give my regards about. It is until April, 11th Fridays and Saturdays (9 pm) and Sundays (6 pm) at Glaucio Gil Theatre - Cardeal Arco Verde, s/n - Copacabana. I don’t know prices…

respect is a good medicine for age!

(more about Amsterdam… I simply can’t avoid. It is stronger than me!)

I admit one thing that Brazil is better than Europe (at least in both countries I’ve been - Holland and France): third age people is more respect in our metro. Ok, here, many individuals simply don’t give in their place for olders to seat. However, there are laws about it - and also both special attending and places - which usually work. There, once, I offered my place for a lady and she was very surprise with my act, telling me that had never happened before [what????].  So, I was astonished because I thought that there these things happen through a different way.

Then, since I came back, I’ve wondering myself about the reasons which make them don’t give the attention necessary for this mature adults. Firstly, I believe that it is because they are a Old Continent - that means they population is constituted chiefly by old people. Thus, once they are majority, they don’t have priority. Finally, they (unfortunately) don’t  have this behaviour of offering they places to seniors.  I’m not sure, these are only speculations about it. Nevertheless, it isn’t a complete absurd according my good sense.

forrobodó

Avoiding my twisted roots.

I’m impressed with the quantity of Brazilians in Amsterdam. Actually, sometimes some of them simply don’t seem as us (or ‘Am I an E.T.?’). I know that our country is too huge and our culture is so vast… So, is understandable that I am not like most of them (or they aren‘t like me). However, it doesn’t mean that I'm proud or agree with their behaviour.

Their limited music preferences (sertanejo, forró and pagode - the popular ones, not the classic and 'old school'), alongside the wrong way to talk (I’m sure that I can speak English better than they the correct Portuguese!) leave me upset! Not only that, but some (dispensable) little lies and excuses, as the mania to be in vantage of others, besides the excessive sexuality etc, defame and also defile our reputation abroad.

I would like to be now in touch with another people, practicing my English or trying to speak Dutch or other language, learning (about) another culture, getting its new background… I need this break and not to be living this lack (a typical “samba do crioulo doido”) .

I wish for novelty (and respect!).

california of mine

I think one of the best anniversary gifts I received (actually the most expressive, which I will never forget!) not only this year, but in my whole life, was my father's one. Asked for, he gave me his 'top ten list' of Rio Grande do Sul's Music (called there “Gaudéria” aswell), including latin songs from our hermanos.

This is our reality - for who doesn’t know us and also our culture: we are joined to them over and above borders. Unfortunately we only can’t speak the same language - in fact not EXACTLY… since, there, we are used to speak a kind of castellano, or a “portunhol” due to the proximity to them.

As a consequence to have been given to me, it is my list now! I was deeply touched when I read his email sent to me, not only owing to my birthday, whereas it is something related with my roots too. Obviously, I've approved it - as much, then I am obligated to post here! Thus, let’s see:

1 - Cordas de Espinho, from Luiz Coronel (who were my father’s college professor). Became famous the version recorded by Fafá de Belém;

2 - Guri, from Cesar Passarinho;

3 - Canto Alegretense, from Antonio Augusto Fagundes (Nico Fagundes) and Bagre Fagundes;

4 - Pedi ao Vento, from Os Monarcas (actual);

5 - Orelhano, from Eleu da Slva (doctor from Rosário do Sul), recorded by the argentine singer Dante Ramon Ledesma;

6 - Romance na Tafona, from Luiz Carlos Borges;

7 - Los Hermanos, argentine, recorded by Mercedes Sosa. However, the best version is Elis Regina’s one;

8 - El Condor Pasa, icon of Chilen’s music and latin american folklore;

9 - Céu, Sol, Sul, from Leonardo;

10 - Sabe Moço, from Leopoldo Rassier, of “Não Podemo se Entregá Pros Home” (a protest song).

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is my musical theme of my cultural roots and traditions. What is yours?

'luba' way in them!

It’s extremely important knowing who REALLY we are… our roots.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

I was going out... After a few minutes, suddenly, a figure called my attention to it, walking by my side. It was the guy I’d just meet.

- Could I escort you?
- Of course!

Then, I took off both of my headphones (or would be ‘earphones‘?). However, I said it without being sure.

- Are you Vanessa’s sister, aren’t you?

Whether coincidence or not, I started to think that conversation could be interesting.

- My name is Stevens. Sorry, I really thought you were Vanessa’s sister.
- No problem because I AM Vanessa.
- … Really?!
- Yes, I am. Could I ask you something?
- For sure.
- Are you from Africa? Aren't you?

Due to his black skin and his strong French accent, I was right that he was African.

- Yes, from Democratic Republic of the Congo.

At this very moment, I knew I’d have at least two more question to ask him.

Being Africa divided inappropriately during its colonization, to know him better, I should be more specific, more intense and cultured.

- But… Which tribe is yours?

So, he stopped to walk and look at me with watered eyes. I knew that had been strong for him...

- Abroad, NEVER, NOBODY asked me this before you! You're special for being aware about it… I’m originally from Luba.

Ready. I've already knew much more about him.

Although more important, this wasn’t the first thing I asked him:

- Do you support Mazembe (the 'Almight')?

Of course I would like to know that!

He laught gently.

Yes… he bit me.

Africans don’t fiddle about.

                                                         

 négre savoir faire

By the way, sex included.

I’m worried about the disparity between Africans and Europeans behavior, their sexual approach. While the firsts are quick-fire, I stand in fear of the others... maybe they fall behind blackmen in this aspect.

Is it possible even being the nordic giants? Oh, God… please, no!

dias melhores... verão!

I should be tanned, thinner and this summer SUPPOSED to be such as the others... Going to the beach, diving into the sea, taking sun bath, playing volleyball, frescobol on sandy with friends... And also drinking coconut water, chimarrão or mate. Seems good (and WAS - for a long time...) Unfortunally, not anymore because I haven’t gone recently.

It was in the past... Last summer, and before that, in my early seasons in Rio. Nowadays is different, but I wish that as soon as possible I could come back and enjoy the best of my 'carioca days'. Here, all these things are about a lifestyle - the beach ones, in this case - surfing, basking, hanging (around), playing on the sandy, eyeing somebody up... telling him some lies, promess to call. CASUALLY.

Vacation, holidays, or ordinary days for who lives on the coast... I remember, missing these special moments, good friends and some places. The best (warm) weather, culture, stories and loves. Summer days, inspire me.

cinelândia

Quando eu vim morar no Rio e conheci a Cinelândia, fiquei imaginando aquele lugar anos antes, quando ali era o burburinho do que se via em termos de cinema no Brasil. Aquela parte do centro, cravada entre a Lapa e o Aterro, do lado do Passeio, no início (ou final) da Rio Branco, conta um pedaço cultural da nossa história. Não só isso, no entando... o que ali já foi exibido também.

A História do Rio de Janeiro, assim como a do Brasil, claro, é contada por filmes como:

“Carlota Joaquina”, “O Povo Brasileiro”, “Policarpo Quaresma, herói do Brasil”, “O Cortiço”, “Amélia”, “Villa-Lobos - Uma Vida de Paixão”, “Noel - Poeta da Vila”,“Madame Satã”, “Olga”, “Ópera do Malandro”,“Rio, 40 Graus”, “Rio, Zona Norte”, “Orfeu Negro”, “A Opinião Pública”, “As Cariocas”, “Luz Del Fuego”, “Copacabana Mon amour”, “Natal da Portela”, “O Dia que meus pais saíram de Férias”, “Como Dois Irmãos”, “Lúcio Flávio - o passageiro da agonia”, “O que é Isso, Companheiro?!”, “Pra frente, Brasil”, “Lamarca”, “Zuzu Angel”, “Eu matei Lúcio Flávio”, “Leila Diniz”, “Garrincha”, “O Homem da Capa Preta”, “Rio Babilônia“,”Cartola - Musica para os Olhos”, “Cidade de Deus”, “Cazuza”, “Menino do Rio”, “O Rei do Rio“, “Garota Dourada”,”Nos embalos de Ipanema”, “Meu nome não é Johnny”, “Central do Brasil”, “Orfeu”, “Cidade dos Homens”, “Como nascem os anjos”, “Como ser solteiro”, “Babilônia 2000”, “Edifício Master”, “Copacabana”, “Proibido Proibir”, “Maré - Nossa História de Amor”, “Tropa de Elite”, “Tropa de Elite 2”... entre outros que posso ter esquecido.

As imagens mostradas e tramas contadas poor essas obras explicam muitas coisas, desde o início de tudo até hoje. Registro histórico mundial, brasileiro, carioca... e assim seria em qualquer lugar, outros contextos. Assim como pela literatura, dá para entender comportamentos, situações, além dos fatos em si só vendo filmes. Cinema é cultura, educa, entretem. Retrata a vida real - sendo ela imperfeita como é.

Viva o cinema nacional.

com a bruxa solta

 

Eu não duvido que elas existam. E sei que, em princípio, historicamente, qualquer mulher pode ser uma…

Na numerologia, dizem que a soma dos dias quando dá 11 é sinal de que algumas coisas podem não sair como o planejado… ou algo assim. Ou seja, nesse final de outubro, deveria ser hoje o Dia das Bruxas e não 31, quando se comemora (mas pergunto: quem e onde?).

Opa, essa questão de festejar essa data é bem controvérsa, sendo esta uma cultura e tradição dos Estados Unidos que está sendo encorporada, assim como outras tantas. Dói meu coração ver dezenas de crianças fantasiadas, pedindo doces, mais do que eu vi no Dia de São Cosme e Damião, por exemplo.

Pior é que o incentivo vem das escolas e das próprias famílias (tudo bem se forem as de inglês, ou as americanas - aí é compreensível). Se o problema é ser o dia dos santos das crianças um festejo religioso, indago sobre a origem do tal Halloween. Alguém sabe? Ou apenas incluiram a comemoração no calendário sem ao menos se questionarem por quê.

Num país tão tolerante como o Brasil nessa questão de adaptação ao diferente, não vejo problema a aceitação do novo, mas sim a maior valorização do que é externo, deixando de lado, em segundo plano, esquecido, por vezes, o que é nosso, próprio daqui. Viva São João, Cosme e Damião, São Jorge, Iemanjá, nosso carnaval, e ainda: Mônica e sua Turma, O Sítio do Pica Pau Amarelo, O Menino Maluquinho e tantos outros ícones nossos.

No mais, no que diz respeito às superstições, podemos lidar bem com as bruxas apenas quando temos a consciência de que elas existem e estão à solta. O resto, para nós, deveria ser só abobrinha! - sim, numa alusão ao símbolo maior da festinha yankee.