Coffee Break

I have to say that my intake of coffee has substantially increased since moving to Brazil. Coffee is so ingrained in the culture that the word for breakfast in Portuguese is café de manha which literally translates to “morning coffee.” Yes there is food at breakfast too but, as the language demonstrates, coffee has an instrumental role.

Though coffee is made in a variety of ways here (including a coffeemaker, a version of the K-cup machine, and, of course, instant coffee) the most common way I have encountered to brew coffee is with a thermos and a funnel. Basically you take a large thermos and place the funnel on top equipped with a filter and coffee grounds. You boil water and when it’s ready slowly pour the hot water in the filter so the mixture drips down until your thermos is filled. Then you simply remove the filter and screw the lid back on the thermos and you have easily dispensable coffee. Plus you have coffee that stays warm through the morning, until you are ready to make another batch.

Because in addition to morning coffee, Brazilians in the Northeast often have afternoon coffee as well. This is like the British equivalent to tea time. Though someone may ask you if you want coffee around 6pm they are not only asking about café. If you decline the offer, you may be off to bed without dinner. Afternoon coffee implies food and in many homes it takes the place of dinner. Most commonly crackers, bread, cheese, butter, deli meat, cakes, fruit, are served for this light supper.

While I have trouble drinking coffee past 4pm and still having a decent night’s sleep, Brazilians seem to be able to drink coffee at any hour. In fact, I’ve had several Brazilians tell me that they drink coffee at night before they go to bed to help them sleep. Of course, they drink café com leite or coffee with milk because black coffee is the only potential drink that could truly keep them up at night.

Should you ever find yourself at a Brazilian conference or seminar you may be lucky enough to experience a “coffee break.” The English phrase is used in lieu of any Portuguese phrasing. And rather than the several short breaks I am accustomed to, there is usually just one longer coffee break which again includes food. It is similar to afternoon coffee you would find at someone’s home but on a much larger scale. Though it is advisable to not dillydally on your way to the line for refreshments as sometimes they run out of snacks or only have the mysterious-looking deli meats by the time it’s your turn to stock your plate.

New Years in Brazil

2016 marks my first New Year’s celebration in Brazil. Actually, it was my first time ringing in the New Year without having to bundle up in a winter coat so I thought I would memorialize it by writing a post about my experience.

Over the past month I have learned that securing the right outfit for New Year’s in Brazil is a big deal. All through December friends and family will ask if you bought your outfit and shops promote almost exclusively white clothes in their display windows. This is because in Brazil colors represent different wishes for the upcoming year. White represents peace and by far it is the most popular choice. But there are other options as well: Yellow= Money; Red= Love; Blue= Health; and Green= Hope. Of course you can go with my approach and wear a multi-colored dress. Looks like 2016 will be a healthy, hopeful, wealthy, and peaceful year for me!

Different from my experience in the U.S., New Years in Brazil is more commonly celebrated with family, rather than friends. In this sense it is more similar to an American Christmas or Thanksgiving. Families celebrate together with lots of food (typical meals include turkey or ham) and drinks. The meal and the party start late (ours started after 11pm) and similar to the U.S. the champagne toasts and fireworks commence at midnight.

Naturally in a country as big and diverse as Brazil people celebrate in vastly different ways and I am speaking mostly from my observations and experiences in 2016. I celebrated at a family party in a small beach town in Northeast Brazil called São Miguel dos Milagres. The party was simple but fun and filled with food, laughter, and loud music- as people put speakers on their front porches and dance all night long. Those who are up for it go to the beach to catch the sunrise or jump in the sea.

However, even in this same beach town with a population of less than 7,000, people celebrate in completely different ways. For the past three years there has been an influx of wealthy Brazilians who travel from all over the country to party in São Miguel dos Milagres. There are thousands of tickets to the party but they sell out fast, which is saying a lot considering the party costs $1,000 (USD) just to enter. The event lasts several days and nights, and it is quite different from the family affair. This celebration is shared with friends and features electronic music, alcohol, and celebrities. Rumor has it Rodrigo Santoro (the hunk from the film Love Actually) was in attendance this year.

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Rodrigo but the same company that throws the New Year’s party is planning a Carnival party for the first time this year in São Miguel dos Milagres- so we will see who that attracts in February.