#CulturalDifferences

Brazil Reality vs. Instagram (PART II) Where I live, the nearest favela is in fact a wonderful place, where you can find religious sermons on Sundays and labyrinths of intricate streets, put together entirely by the people who live there. In fact, most houses in favelas do not have the permission of the local government. Recent protests have broken out in my area when the government made the decision to cut off the power to the favelas on the outskirts of the town. It might come as a surprise that, even in a relatively well-developed city like Florianopolis, about 80% of the properties are built without the correct deeds, making them illegal. Furthermore, poor infrastructure in cities has led to increased pollution and lack of the necessary means to commute. This means that for the poorest families, the bus can be the only option and many workers often face commutes of up to two hours just to get to work. So, while you might see the beautiful pictures uploaded, or the wonderfully celebratory videos that are made of coastal cities in Brazil on YouTube, remember that life is hard for a vast number of Brazilians and sometimes it doesn’t hurt to make note of the hurt. Thanks for reading! Can you find the vocabulary that matches the definitions below? (It’s in order!) ... 5) Small networks of roads, alleys, paths, or tunnels 6) The paperwork which claims the right to land

Brazil Reality vs. Instagram (PART I) Is Brazil really only the land of sun-kissed beaches and the carnival, where life is a non-stop fiesta, with vibrant street parties and infectious music echoes through the streets? Let’s be serious. It’s one of the world’s largest economies and for this reason it is in fact an amalgamation of tourist hotspots of course, but it also consists of major areas of poverty, diversity, and a never-ending quest for the rights of its people through large-scale political movements. Brazil’s history, whereby slavery was instilled throughout the nation, which didn’t only concern the African populations brought over on ships, but also the native populations, makes the country an incredibly culturally-rich place, but one that is constantly at odds with its past. The cost of living crisis and rising inflation across the whole of Brazil over the last few years has been a burden to many families who now struggle to make ends meet. Everyone has heard about the favelas, but all too often these get associated with violent gangs as these places become glamorized in TV series and films. The truth is that the vast majority of these slums are filled with families, with people who work hard to give their relatives whatever they can. Can you find the vocabulary that matches the definitions below? (It’s in order!) 1) Constantly warmed by the sun 2) A collection of things 3) At _____ - meaning to be in conflict 4) PHRASE: manage to make enough money