Photo Source: The Prefeitura of Olinda

Carnival is held each year four days before Ash Wednesday and marks the start of Lent. In 2010 Carnival is 13th-17th February.

During Lent, Catholics are supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures, so Carnival can be seen as a farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. It is celebrated as a profane event and believed to have its origins in the pagan Saturnalia, the most of Roman festivals celebrated with foolish behaviour and the reversal of social roles.

Being Recife Guide our coverage focuses on the carnivals in Northeast Brazil, quite a different style to that in Rio and Salvador, that each have a unique expression. Carnival in the northeast is free, is focused on involvement rather than being a spectator event, and features many styles of music.  

On Recife Guide our coverage is just beginning. You can read:

• An Introduction to Carnival 
• Carnival Health, Safety & Comfort 
• Carnival Styles & Music 
• Carnival Giant Dolls (Bonecos)

The first female captain of a Boeing 767-300F in Latin America was Eveline Borges. On January 23, 2006, Borges, then 34, she completed her first cargo flight as Master Chief Pilot on a flight from Campinas, Brazil to Miami, USA. The flight had stopovers in Maiquetia, Venezuela, and Bogota & Medelin, Colombia, where it faced foggy conditions. In Miami they were greeted by a beautiful sunrise.

Eveline, a Pernambucana from Recife, has been flying since the age of 17. After dropping the idea  of studying law, and surprising her friends and family who expected her to be a vet, she decided to go to flying school with the aim of being the first pilot in the family. She went from flying small planes to being a co-pilot of a Boeing-767 and, then captain of the 767 in a few years. She is still only 37 years old, and dreams of flying the new generations of large jets.

In Brazilian aviation today she has a few female colleges and jokes that, like in most professions, the skirts are taking over!

An interview with Eveline Borges was first published in AERO ANGELS http://www.aero-angels.com/evelineborges.html

Recife Guide already includes details of other aviation first http://recifeguide.wordpress.com/2009/02/12/aviation-firsts-in-recife/

There was standing room only at the launch of Benjamin Moser´s biography of Clarice Lispector in Recife this past weekend. Also, at the talk he gave at the restored Sinagoga Kahal Sur Israel. This shows the level of interest that exits in the history of the most celebrated brazilian female writer of the twentieth century, and is an indicator of the likely interest in the Clarice Lispector Tours being developed by iMais and The Binder Group.

Moser´s book is available from all good book stores.

For more information about the tours see: Clarice Lispector Tours

Clarice Lispector. Photo: Claudia Andujar

Whilst researching the forthcoming tour “Clarice Lispector´s Recife”, Recife Guide came across the New Biography “Clarice,” (Portuguese version) or “Why This World” (English Version), by author Benjamin Moser. After contacting Moser we discovered that by chance he would be coming to Recife to launch the Portuguese version of his book.

In a few days we have managed to arrange for an additional event, and have Moser agree to be involved in the creation of the tour we planned. The tour is still in early stages of development, but should begin operating in early 2010. In the meantime, let us tell you more about the events.

The book signing will be at Livraria Cultura book shop in Recife Antigo from 7pm on Saturday 28th November.

On Sunday 29th November at 5pm Moser will be in Conversation with historian Tania Kauffman at the Jewish Cultural Center of Pernambuco, in the Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel. The conversation will be about the Jewish influences in the literature of Clarice, and its relation with the mystical aspects of other Jewish authors. Tania Kauffman, expert in Jewish Immigration into Brazil, will also explain that Clarice belonged to a singular historical context in the history of the 20th century.

Event Details:

CLARICE - Judia, pernambucana, brasileira

Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel, Rua do Bom Jesus 197/203, Recife Antigo.

29 de November (Sunday), at 17:00

RSVP: faleconosco@arquivojudaicope.org.br If you reserve you do not need to pay the R$5 entrance fee.

Language: The conversation will be in Portuguse

Read More About Clarice Lispector

Recife Guide recently published another article about Clarice Lispector and the biography

The following is a selection of Walking Tours available on Fernando de Noronha:

Dolphin Bay Trail*

The trail offers a famous vantage point to see Dolphin Bay (Baía dos Golfinhos) , where dolphins come to breed and rear their young, or simply to rest after feeding. The 2.2km long trail through the interesting flora and fauna of Fernando de Noronha offers some beautiful views including those of other bays including Sancho and Porcos Bays. At dawn (6am) it is possible to observe the dolphins entering the bay. Duration 2 1/2 hours Details & Reservations

Pontinha/Pedra Alta Trail*

Beginning at Caieira Beach, the trail passes through three natural pools including Atalaia. It is 4.2km long (with approximately 1km on loose stones). The trail offers the only access by land to some parts of the island, and has a wonderful panoramic views of the ocean. A local guide accredited by the Brazilian agency for the preservation of the environment (IBAMA) accompanies all who use this trail which is best to do at low tide. Duration 3.5 hours Details & Reservations

Costa Azul Trail*

Vila dos Remédios is the start point of this trail which explores the historical parts of the island and ends at Conceição Beach. During 2.3km walk visitors will be introduced to Cachorro and Meio beaches, which offer easier access. Depending on sea conditions you will also be able to snorkel observe marine life and fauna. Duration 3 hours. Details & Reservations

Farol Trail

This 2.5km long trail begins and ends at Golfinhos Bay passing spectacular viewpoints where the beautiful landscape of Fernando de Noronha can really be appreciated. Duration 5 hours Details & Reservations

Capim Açú Trail

This trail, available August to February, starts at Lion Beach (Leão Beach), and passes by cliffs up to 50M in height. It offers impressive views of the blue waters of Noronha. During the visit ruins from the Second World War can be seen (the island was a base during the war), before returning to the starting point. The trail is considered and advanced trail by many people because of its length and the terrain. Duration 6 hours Details & Reservations

Costa Esmeralda Trail

Starting at Bode Beach, this trail goes through Quixaba and ends at Cacimba do Padre, one of Noronhas most famous beaches, scene of the surfing World Qualifying Series and, one of the most famous landscapes of the island the two rock formations the Two Brothers (Morro Dois Irmãos). Duration 3 hours Details & Reservations

Tartarugas Trail

Tartarugas Trail starts at Leão Beach, where the sea turtles lay their eggs, before heading to Ponta das Caracas and ending at Sueste. It is possible to make a dive or snorkel (no additional cost), to see the sea turtles. Duration 3 hours Details & Reservations

* Trail Package

The three trails marked * above can be combined as a 3day trail package. Assistance in English Currently unavailable

There are many tours of many types offered on Fernando de Noronha. We have listed them according to several search criteria to help you make your selection:

By Type:

• Island Discovery
• Walking Tours
• Adventure & Activity Tours
• Romantic & Honeymoon
• Special Packages

By Duration:

• One Day or Less
• 2-3 days
• More than 3 days

By Price (per Person):

• Under R$100
• R$100-R$500
• R$500+