I've been reading about Russian students and teachers' opinions about a Brazilian film released in 2003, directed by Fernando Meirelles, "The City of God". I remember when I watched it for the first time I was pregnant of my first kid, and I almost couldn't get to the end of it. Too shocking, so true. The most shocking scene was the one when the traffic dealer asked the little boy to choose where he wanted to be shot...Yes, guys, in Rio traffic dealers have their gangs in the "favelas", and it is organized crime. There are different roles involved in the traffic business and

• Is it a fact or universal belief that Brazil, and practically Rio, is the country of contrasts, the country of great luxury and poverty, crime and order.
  

• In our country next to everyone considers Brazil to be a precarious country, is it really so?

• What is Rio for a Brazilian: an ordinary big city, or the "Heart" of Brazil, which embodies the country?

It is reality, but just part of it. There's another side of the favelas not portraid in the film. As mentioned in the comments, the film is almost like a documentary of a specific situation at the "favelas" in Rio, but there's hope, beauty, joy, soul there, as well. Yes, Rio represents contrasts of all kinds, luxury/poverty, hope/despair, violence/solidarity, crime/order. This IS Rio. At the favelas, you'll see lots of volunteer work, people engaged in helping the communities, the Samba schools are there and exactly at those favelas they spend the whole year preparing for the magic of Carnival. There are hard working people that wake at 4 in the morning to go to work and get back home at night, there are kids going to school to try to be better off in the future. So, contrasts are there, the beast and the beauty.

Brazil could be precarious in many senses and for many people, but there's another side to the country, which just reflects the contrasts we've been mentioning. It is technologically developed, our banking system (in terms of bank integration and technology) is one of the best in the world, our voting system is all electronic, we're the first country to have bought an Island in Second Life after the US, Brazilian middle class and upper class teens are all connected and tech-savvy. Brazil produces a lot of high quality products that are exported to the world. Much could be mentioned here, but certainly we have this other side of precariousness that hinders some of the great potential the country has.

Rio is just one facet of our country. It's a truly enchanting city viewed from the outsider's perspective. I, too, have a different impression because I always go there on vacation and don't get to see what the real life of a Carioca (someone from Rio) is.

This is my "picture" of Rio, the happy side of it, the one that enchants, allures, enlivens us.




And you can listen to my students talking about Rio at the SambaEFL Podcast

Now, I'm curious to know about you...

• What are the main concerns in your country?

• What type of violence you have?

• How about its beauties?

• Can you relate your country to mine in some way?

I'm really looking forward to hearing more from you.

Carla

Photo available at http://www.miramax.com/images/pict1.jpg

Brazil lost. Brazilians were voiceless. Screams were changed by silence. Millions of Brazilians believed until the last minute that victory was around the corner, but the goal was never reached. We coached the team in front of our TVs, we talked to them, we yelled, but we were never heard... What happened? Theories are everywhere and we will never have an answer for it, but there are some lessons to be learned:

• Things are not the way they seem to be;
• Being the favorite to win doesn't mean you will win;
• Being good is not enough. You need to excel using your emotional power, balance;
• There's not much you can do by yourself if you are in a team. The team needs to work together;
• It is not enough to have millions of people rooting for you. You need to believe in yourself, have self-confidence and willingness to do your best.

Well, guys, that's it...Life goes on.

Although I have Italian blood in my veins, my heart is now with the Portuguese, rooting for one Brazilian, "Felipão" Scolari. He never gave up his team and his dream.

How about you? Who do you think will be playing in the Finals and what will the score be?

Carla

What a pity about the Brasil-France match! We really expected "our" team (Brasil) to win!

Thanks for introducing us to the excitement of the World Cup competition.

We're all grateful to Carla, Fellipe, Mariana, Emerson, Rosanna, Aboré, Marilda, Paulo, Kelly, and Daise for their contagious excitement and enthusiasm!

Best wishes from Pearl, Dennis, and the students in ENH 291 (Florine, Peggy, Toni, Rebecca, Ruben, Gaby, Lia, Chrstina, Zindy, and Monica).

I would never imagine a Conversation class quiet for half an hour. How come a place where students and teacher meet to talk was simply mute? Well, that's what the World Cup does! Although it was not Brazil playing, everybody wanted to watch the Argentinians showing all their South American "Ginga" against the strong Germans.

The class started with few students. Everybody stayed at home to watch the game. Then, extra time. The students started to arrive, but they won! TV turned on, silence, focus on the screen. Everything could happen. The game was tied, the play was even. Any team could score a goal an be in the semifinals. Most students were rooting for Germany. Brazilians don't like to have the Argentinians playing against them. Why? They are strong and have a similar way of playing.

The end of the game! Penalties. Emotional balance was the key for the players. The class was still silent. It was an even start, but then... Well, it is part of the game... The Argentinian players missed two goals. Germany celebrated!

And I could only think about my Argentinian friends... What a pity, Maria Claudia, Gladys, Carla, Silvana...

Now, it's Brazil's turn. What will happen against France? Nobody knows. We might be celebrating or crying...

Which teams do you think will be in the Finals??? What will be the score for the final match? Let's start our bets! The one who gets it right will win a Brazilian Souvenir!

Hope to hear from you!

An Anxious Brazilian Teacher.

Carla

Carla