Home in Brazil in Photos

In a way, Brazil is my second home. All of my husband’s family lives there, and we visit them about once a year for a few weeks. I am very fortunate to have in-laws who are loving and generous and who have always welcomed me as part of the family. When we visit, we spend most of our time at my sister-in-law’s house in rural Brazil, in a small city called Bragança Paulista, and I always take lots of photos because all the little things are beautiful to me.

I happened to notice that the theme for #FriFotos this week on Twitter is “homes” and I realized that this was the perfect opportunity to finally use my photos of daily life at a home in Brazil. When I think about “home” in Brazil, these are the images that come to mind:

rooster brazil

toucan couple
The toucans at dusk, taken from the kitchen window

kids playing Brazil
Flying paper airplanes
Brazilian owls
The owls that live in the ground across the street

Brazilian cod recipe
Deep-fried balls of cod with mashed potatoes and fresh herbs
toddler in Brazil
The kids have a blast feeding the chickens and turtles and chasing the rooster.

Brazilian ceramics
Traditional, colorful Brazilan ceramics–this one is an image from the “Bumba Meu Boi” festivals from Northeastern Brazil

coconut water
Drinking coconut water after getting the coconuts from the yard
jabuticaba
My husband’s favorite Brazilian fruit, jabuticaba

What do you imagine home in Brazil is like? Of course, there are many, many different types, and this is just one! But I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into what home is like for my in-laws. For more posts about Brazil, check out the Brazil category.

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27 Comments

  1. What lovely photos Jenna. They really inspire me to go back to Brazil. The last time I was there was back in 2004. The colours, nature and wildlife are just so vibrant and fully of energy. I know I always say say this to you, but your children are also just too adorable.

    1. says: Jenna

      Thanks, Nathalie! I hope you get to meet them one day! You were planning to go to Brazil this year, if I remember correctly. I hope you get to go again soon. It has changed a lot, mostly for the good, since 2004 (and is much more expensive!), and with your love of seeing less common destinations and staying in boutique hotels, I’m sure you will have a wonderful experience.

  2. says: Maria

    Tucans, owls and banana blossoms – got it all! Careful though, at some point in the banana blossom’s life span it really starts to smell bad.

    Enjoying the shots, keep ’em comin’!

  3. this may be my favorite post. i absolutely love the details of daily life and how things are the same as home and how they are different. this is one of the main reasons i love traveling – to experience these minor delicious differences while feeling comforted by the everydayness of it all.

    the photos perfectly capture the feelings of home. the boys are so lucky to have a second home and kudos to you for making sure they experience it often.

    i’m hoping to get to taiwan enough that ruby feels it is her second home some day.

    1. says: Jenna

      Tami, so glad this post resonated with you. The experience of being there every year is a special one, one I have a hard time explaining and one that has greatly evolved over the years. I look forward to hearing about Ruby’s time in Taiwan as she gets older 🙂

  4. says: Lori

    Love this post! We lived in central Parana for 3 years, but it was very much a city experience. There is so much more of the rural/homestead side of Brazil that I’d like to experience. Like fruit from the backyard! 🙂 Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

  5. I love how all the fruits come from the backyard if not nearby and there’s so much wildlife for your kids to see. I am sure it is an educational trip for them as well as a homecoming.

    The food looks delicious too. I just watched an Antony Bourdain episode where he travels to Brazil and his #1 recommendation was to be sure you know someone before you arrive to ensure a locals experience with great food and to get to know the country better.

    Murissa

    1. says: Jenna

      The wildlife is really special. I actually spend a lot of time looking for the birds because I enjoy them so much. When the toucans show up, I go out and look for them as they make their way around the neighborhood. I have seen an Anthony Bourdain in Brazil (maybe the same one?), but I agree that it’s good advice to get to know the locals there. They are a warm, fun bunch.

    1. says: Jenna

      Having something like that at the kids’ grandparents’ house, or any relative, is special for them, that’s for sure.

  6. says: Leigh

    Your trip “home” to Brazil looks like a little slice of heaven. I bet the sounds of home in Brazil are very different from California. What a joy it would be to wake up to a plate of freshly picked tropical fruits and to listen to the exotic sounding birds.
    Looks to me like you have a wonderful second family.
    Your photos are glorious too Jenna.

    1. says: Jenna

      Thanks, Leigh! One of the main sounds there is the sound of the roosters starting around 4 a.m.! But yes, I love the birds, fruits, and other simple pleasures, plus the time with these special people.

  7. says: Andrea

    Oh wow – toucans in your yard? This looks simply amazing…I have always wanted to visit Brazil but these simple charms make it look even more enticing…

  8. says: Diego Lobo

    Jenna, the 19th image is called “Bumba Meu Boi” or “Boi-Bumbá”. Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil – love your blog!

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