Experience some of the sights & sounds of this beautiful South American country. If you have images, photographs or sound clips that you would like to contribute to this page, please let us know .

Amazon images
Sunset on the Amazon (8KB)
Lone canoeist paddling beside bank on the Amazon (15KB)
Family living on the bank of the Amazon (12KB)
Two orchids in the Amazon Jungle near Manaus (24KB)
Fishermen unloading catch in Belem, the mouth of the Amazon (14KB)

Rio de Janeiro images

Hang glider soaring over Rio de Janeiro (32KB)
View of Rio de Janeiro from Mesa do Imperador (29KB)
Crowd on beach of Ipanema (22KB)
Member of Batteria from an Escola de Samba, Rio de Janeiro (18KB)

Sounds (standard MIDI files)

Brazilian National Anthem
Escola de Samba
MIDIs do Brazil
MIDI Brazilian Music
Ricardo Peculis' Musica Popular Brasileira

• "I wish I would have learned more Portuguese prior to our trip to Brazil. It is so important and increases your enjoyment of the trip. Even a few words and phrases are beneficial." "Learn a little of the language and don't be afraid to speak. It can open many doors."
• "I wish I would have not given the history of our children to so many of our friends before our trip. Their history was fine for us, but may be a problem for others. I should have been more discrete for my kids sake now."
• "I wish I would have packed more lightly. Pack large suitcases. We took too many small bags and paid extra luggage charges."
• "Shopping was frustrating at first because of the language and money, but that got easier after about a week."
• "Having the other LIMIAR families there was such a blessing; I couldn't have made it without their support and the help of the LIMIAR staff."
• "You don't need many dressy clothes. We dressed very casually except for the court dates."
• "Take some needlework or good books with you."
• "The Sao Paulo Zoo is wonderful!"
• "Realize that Brazil is very different from the U.S. and you must follow different rules & values. Take things as they come. Don't try to mold Brazilians to your way of life. Keep your sense of humor. Be open to new experiences. Do some homework before you go."
• "I was surprised at the more relaxed sexual attitudes as seen especially in Rio and on television."
• "Brazilians love children."
• "Don't forget there is an exit tax when leaving the country."
• "It is important and supportive to mingle with other adopting families when in Brazil."
• "Sao Paulo seems very much like a cross between continental Europe and Mexico. People take more time to enjoy life. They are very religious and worldly at the same time."
• "Relax. You'll get lots of tips and encouragement from other adopting parents in the hotel."
• "LIMIAR can be trusted!"
• "Learn Portuguese."
• "Get out of the big cities at every opportunity."
• "Brazil is a beautiful place. There are rich people who are able to live very nice lives and the poor are like nothing we see in America - they are very poor. It is hard to imagine trying to live with nothing. There are children everywhere you look."
• "Visa was our most widely accepted credit card."

Recipes

The following recipes are from A Brazilian Sampler, a book we have prepared that contains a collection of Brazilian recipes. This book is available through Limiar. The book includes Brazilian specialties, children's favorites, hints for Brazilian cooking, and an English/Portuguese dictionary of food items.

Brazilian Rice
Beans , Brazilian Style
Cafezinho - Brazilian Coffee
Cocada - Coconut Candy
Docinas de Abobora - Pumpkin Candy