A brilliantly illuminated chalet shows off Campos do Jordão's Swiss and German heritage.

Campos do Jordão is a municipality in the state of São Paulo. Though cradled in a valley, the city is located a lofty 1,628 miles above sea level. Due to its elevation, Campos do Jordão is relatively cold by Brazilian standards: In the winter (July to September), average temperatures range from 18°C/64ºF to 4°C/39ºF. Temperatures occasionally drop below zero, but snow is very rare and winter is normally the dry season. The colder weather is also the perfect time for fireplaces, fondue, hearty soup, and hot cocoa!

July sees an enormous influx of visitors to Campos do Jordão, more than quadrupling the city's population. Visitors come to enjoy numerous outdoor activities including hiking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, ATV riding, motorbike riding, and treetop cable swings (arborismo). The mountain ranges provide unique panoramic views and much of the area is still undeveloped. Bars, lounges, discos and clubs open during the winter months to cater to the large number of visitors. Year-round attractions include restaurants with German and Swiss cuisine and a cable car.

The Campos do Jordão International Winter Festival is also a major attraction, bringing together over 70,000 people. It is the largest classical music event in Latin America and features great contemporary performers. The Festival is also an important opportunity for music students. In 2009, 146 scholarships were given to students from Brazil and abroad. In 2009 the Festival will have a special edition: The French Year in Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.netcampos.com/cidadecamposdojordao/ (in Portuguese) and http://www.festivalcamposdojordao.org.br/?idIdioma=2.

The legend of the Cuca is widely used throughout Latin America as a gentle warning to keep kids in bed at night. Parents sing lullabies or tell rhymes to their children telling them that if they don't sleep, the Cuca—imagined as a ghost, monster, or bogeyman—will come and get them. The rhyme originated in the 17th century and has evolved over the years, but still retains its original meaning. The following is an example of one popular version of the rhyme, sung to the "Rock-a-bye Baby" melody:

Nana neném, que a cuca vem pegar...
Papai foi pra roça e mamãe foi trabalhar.

Which translates to:

Sleep my baby, that Cuca will catch you.
Daddy went to the ranch, mommy went out to work.

See Bossa Nova, set sail with Fire on the Water, and learn forró and samba this month.

• What to expect when you arrive in Brazil
• How to travel inside Brazil
• Where to shop and find good entertainment
• When, where and how much to tip
• How to say important words and phrases

If you want to register or have questions about this or any other Brazil Station courses, please contact us at Info@BrazilStation.com or call 646-287-6645.

Brazil Station
304 Park Ave South, 11th floor (at 23rd St.)
New York, NY 10010
646-287-6645

Bate-Papo - Thursday, July 30 from 7-9pm
You are invited for a bate-papo (relaxed conversation) in Portuguese at Piola Restaurant. It is an opportunity to practice Portuguese and meet new people. All levels of Portuguese speakers are welcome, from beginners to native speakers. The event is free; you pay for what you choose to eat and drink. Contact us at Events@BrazilStation.com to RSVP.

Piola
48 E 12th St
New York, NY 10003

clockwise: Pazzanese’s solo show, Transmuted Paintings; Nation Beat on Roosevelt Island; CéU at Highline; still from a Premiere Brazil feature; and Hãhãhães rocks Joe’s Pub.

Dendê & Hãhãhães Afro-Brazilian Funk - Friday, July 10 at 11:30pm
Formed in 2002, the band Hãhãhães is named after the indigenous Pataxó-Hãhãhães tribe that once inhabited the city of Salvador in Bahia, Brazil. With driving rhythms and gritty grooves, Hãhãhães' sound is based in the Afro-Brazilian traditions of candomblé and samba de roda. Their original songs incorporate rhythms ranging from Nigerian Afrobeat to Dominican merengue to Afro-Cuban rumba. The band members have played with Caetano Veloso, Carlinhos Brown, Gilberto Gil, and Vinicius Cantuária.

For more information, check http://www.joespub.com.

Joe's Pub
425 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003
212-967-7555

For this month we have some sentences used to describe feelings and emotions that sound pretty funny when translated literally into English. For each one, use ele for "he" or ela for "she." I hope you enjoy!

We are always looking for interesting themes and expressions to use in our Language Tips. Please let us know if you have any ideas by emailing Newsletter@BrazilStation.com.

Ele é meu número. - He is perfect for me.
(Literal: He is my number.)

Ela é um avião. - She is wonderful.
(Literal: She is an airplane.)

Ela é um pedaço de mal caminho. - She is a temptation.
(Literal: She is a piece of bad path.)

Eles são a tampa e a panela. - They complete each other.
(Literal: They are the lid and the pot.)

Ela é muita areia para o meu caminhãozinho. - She is out of my league.
(Literal: She is too much sand for my little truck.)

Estou ficando com alguém. - I am seeing someone.
(Literal: I am staying with someone.)

Pode vir quente que eu estou fervendo. - Come, I am ready.
(Literal: Come hot because I am burning.)

Foi amor à primeira vista. - It was love at first sight.

Ele não é meu tipo. - He is not my type.

Ele é minha alma gêmea. - He is my soul mate.