Natal mixes the beaches and the backlands, By the fact that Brazil is one of the first multicultural particularly in its cuisine and the desert-like scenario societies in the world, it has received many influences NATA L of dunes going into the ocean. It is the land of shrimp, in the field of culture. This mix has led to a new and crab and fresh fish; of paçoca (pounded cassava meal mixed development on different ways. Religion and - BRAZIL and beef jerky), carne de sol (beef jerky) and feijão- music with influences from verde (green beans). All together on the same menu – mainly Europe and Africa has Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, is a occasionally, on the same plate. given this country her own city on the Atlantic coast. Natal has some great soul. In many parts in the city By the climate and sandy soil could the sugar cane beaches, historical sites, and nature areas, and it is a you can find places where, cultivation not develop here, therefore, until the end frequently used base for exploring the paradisiac capoeira is demonstrated or of the 19th century, the main source of income was beaches and nature of the Rio Grande do Norte state. where you can see an exciting stock. Then came the trade in salt and oil products show with the swirling Founded in 1599, one year after the beginning of the and developed Natal itself as the centre for this trade. Brazilian rhythms and folklore. construction of a fortress (Forte dos Reis Magos), During the Second World War the Americans built a Finally, you can visit the Natal is the second smallest state capital in Brazil in large airport in Natal as a base to Africa and Europe. A Museu Câmara Cascudo, this terms of land size – it only beats Vitória, Espírito Santo. new airport is currently being built. This airport is well-conceived museum, You might say that it begins at Morro do Careca, a going to be the largest in South America and the named after one of Brazil's dune in popular Praia de Ponta Negra, and extends eighth of the world. This will allow the city to develop greatest folklorists, showcases along lengthy sandy strips down to the Potengi River. and going to take a huge jump into the future, as exhibits from a variety of Midway lies the Parque Estadual Dunas de Natal, the being not only Brazil’s biggest airport, but for the disciplines: archaeology, paleontology, mineralogy, second largest urban park in Brazil, second only to whole continent of South America. ethnography, and popular culture. A highlight is the Rio’s Floresta da Tijuca. At the end lies the Newton Navarro Bridge, which made life easier for residents By the presence of the Dutch and the Portuguese in collection of dinosaur fossils. During 29a RBA it across the river or people who want to explore a city the past Natal has a rich cultural background. You can displays the “Índios: os primeiros that goes beyond its own physical boundaries. find many ancient buildings in Natal such as the brasileiros” (Indigenous: the first Brazilians) collection. Tourist Centre on 980 Aderbal de Figueiredo Street, which is located in an old prison. The building is a !

UNESCO World Heritage site and is already set up as ! a tourist information centre since 1988. It is situated on a hill in the city, giving you again a nice view of Museu Câmara Cascudo | Av. Hermes da Fonseca 1398, Tirol Natal. There are all kinds of shops located in the old | http://www.mcc.ufrn.br/wordpress/ | (84) 3342-4914 cells and you can also get a lot of information about Centro de Turismo de Natal | Rua Aderbal de Figueiredo, the whole region. 980, Petrópolis | http:/www.centrodeturismodenatal.com.br/ site/ | (84) 3211- 6149 A well-known theatre is the Teatro Alberto Maranhão. It is a beautiful building with French influences on the Teatro Alberto Maranhão | Praça Augusto Severo, S/N - outside and Belgian influences on the inside. Please Ribeira - Natal | http://www.teatroalbertomaranhao.rn.gov.br take a look at the entrance and the hall. In the port you | (84)3222-3669 can find the Capitania das Artes. The building is built Forte dos Reis Magos | Av. Café Filho, s/n, Praia do Forte in neoclassical style and serves as a cultural venue for (84) 3211-3820. many exhibitions in the field of art. There are also concerts, events and congresses.

NA T A L , THE CIT Y O F THE SUN

Natal beaches off er travelers the wild and rustic beauty that define the Rio Grande do Norte coastline. The area, which is said to have 300 sunny days a year, also boasts great sand dunes, cliff s, reefs which

! form ocean pools, and lots of wind. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte August 3-6, 2014

The 29th Brazilian Anthropology DUNES OF GENIPABU Meeting will take place at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte - Massive dunes have made this one of the best-known beaches in the country. The area is most commonly explored on thrilling, day-trips across UFRN, on 3-6 August 2014. This is one the dune by buggy, stopping off at three lakes and two further parks of the largest university in the North along the way. You have two choices: com emocão (literally, "with emotion"), which rivals any roller-coaster, or sem emocão (without and Northeast of Brazil. The meeting is emotion), a little calmer but still fairly hair-raising. Buggy operators, who organized by the Brazilian Association usually find you before you find them. You can also explore the dunes on of Anthropology - ABA, founded in camels imported from southern Spain. Other activities include half-hour boat rides and sky-boarding (also called sky-surfing)—which is basically 1952, and the Department of snowboarding down the dunes. The beach is attractive, although it gets Anthropology and Postgraduate very crowded during high season. Because Genipabu is close to Natal, it's Program in Social Anthropology primarily a day-trip destination. There are a few small pousadas and restaurants near the beach, but the town shuts down at night. UFRN.

The Federal University of Rio Grande do PIPA Norte is a public Brazilian university, A day to Pipa. The paradise on the South coast of Natal. A trip that really is funded by the Brazilian federal worth to do. With a stop on one of the many beaches and at the Guraíras government, located in the city of Natal. lagoon in Tibau do Sul to enjoy the view and relax, we arrive at lunchtime Formally established on December 18, in Pipa. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere of the mainstreet and the 1960, it includes 60 departments shops of this village or just relax on a terrace. The multiple day tour gives providing 50 different undergraduate you the opportunity to stay longer in Pipa. You can then enjoy the beautiful surroundings, enjoy the beach of Pipa or explore the area. In the courses, as well as a number of graduate evening you can enjoy the atmosphere in the rustic village and have a programs. dinner in one of the many charming restaurants. The next day there is even the possibility to get on a boat to see Pipa from the other side. You will sail to Praia de Madeiro where you can take a swim, snorkel or just relax and see the dolphins come along.

PONTA NEGRA

Nearly all tourism development has focused on or around this beach in the past FLA V ORS decade, with both negative and positive repercussions. It has a multitude of Since Brazilians in Natal take great pride in their culinary pousadas, restaurants, and shops, and even a few large resorts at the northern mastership, you never need to wonder when ordering these dishes end. If you seek a connection with nature, you would be best advised to head to from Natal restaurants! Though you do want to be sure to try the one of the city's outer beaches during the day and venture to Ponta Negra for the nightlife, which ranges from buzzy to seedy. Ponta Negra's distinguishing local specialties – and if the foods described here don’t please your palette, simply ask your server to recommend something! He’d feature is the Morro da Careca (Bald Man's Hill), a 120-meter (390-foot) dune at the southern end. certainly be delighted to help you choose a dish or drink you’re sure to enjoy. REDINHA The people of Natal is known as “potiguares”, shrimp eaters, due to he only beach in the North region. Mostly frequented by locals, and known for the cheap food. The beach has also a platform that goes to the sea, and by the vast production of shrimp in this area; dishes such as “camarões walking to the tip of the platform, you can have a wonderful view of Ponte com manteiga e alho” (fried shrimp with butter and garlic) and Newton Navarro and the rest of the city. “tapioca” stuffed with shrimp, are part of their culture.

Meals in this region of Brazil are full of mixed flavors. A product that is very popular in Natal is BAR & RES TA URANT “carne do sol” (salted meat exposed to the sun for about four days) and one of the dishes with Beach and Typical Food | The most typical beach this ingredient is “escondidinhos de carne do sol,” made with mashed potatoes and food is "ginga com tapioca" and the best is served vegetables, along with dried meat, then cooked au gratin with a creamy cheese. Another dish at Redinha Market | Largo João Alfredo based on dried meat is “paçoca de pilão o de carne do sol,” with garlic, pepper, lard, and yucca flour. "Tapioca" is a sandwich similar to a crepe but made with yucca flour, which can be Restaurante Camarões | Av. Eng. Roberto Freire 2610, Ponta Negra [http://www.camaroes.com.br]. filled with cheese, guava marmalade, or bacon, among other ingredients. “Moqueca” is a fish Excellent restaurant specialized in shrimp dishes. stew with onion, sweet pepper, tomato, palm oil, and coconut milk, served in a casserole with Has 3 other branches in Natal | 84 3209.2424 coriander and boiled egg on top. Restaurante Pinga-Fogo | Av. Eng. Roberto Freire 8936, Ponta Negra [http:// What about Brazilian drinks? Here are the two most popular drinks in Natal, which you simply www.restaurantepingafogo.com.br]. Excellent must try: restaurant with buffet of fish dishes and japonese food including crabs | 84 3236-3507 and Lagoa Cachaça: as the national spirit of Brazil! It’s made from sugar cane in a process very similar to Nova 84 3231-1977. that of rum, though Cachaça uses freshly fermented and distilled sugarcane juice instead of molasses. Cachaça also tastes fantastic after a few years of aging. Buraco da Catita | Travessa José Alexandre Garcia, Caipirinha: an exotic, traditional cocktail that blends together Cachaca with sugar cane, ice and 95, Ribeira | http://www.buracodacatita.com.br | crushed limes. The ingredients are all thrown together and then muddled with a blunt spoon or Drink and Music Place | 84 2010-9185 a masher, and garnished with a twist of lime!