In Brazil, when it's time for entertaining or being entertained, chances are you will visit one of these restaurants.
They're called barbecue or boraca [rodizio].
Now, literally, they are all-you-can-eat.
And when I say "all-you-can-eat," I mean just that.
And the most important tool you'll need is one of these -- "no, thank you" and "yes, please."
Who knew that eating could be so exhausting?
Thankfully, there are plenty of other ways to relax in Brazil that not only give you some downtime,
but will also help you work it all off.
You either have it, or you don't.
And in Brazil, it's in their blood.
The beats, the rhythms -- I don't mind if I do try my hand. That's a bit of Bahian drumming.
This is Afro-Brazilian music. It originates from Bahia.
The African slaves brought it to Brazil's shores in the nineteenth century.
The drums are the heart of Brazilian culture, forming the rhythms of samba and capoeira.
If the hotel gym doesn't appeal to you, this is a worthwhile workout.
They say it's a dance.
Frankly, it's more like acrobatics. And you need to be careful. You could have someone's eye out.
Music is integral to capoeira. Capoeiristas have to change their fighting style as the rhythm changes.
Some things that I can't do when it's not playing,
but when the Roda -- the game -- starts, the circle starts,
and the music and everything, everybody singing and clapping hands, you start doing stuff that you couldn't imagine that you could do.
They say anyone can learn this.
And a typical class will set you back around $75.
My drumming was pretty pathetic. Capoeira, not a chance.
Thankfully there is something I have in common with Brazilians.
I do like a good party. And this month is Carnival and Brazil is already dancing up a storm.
To see the effort and physical exertion that goes into Carnival I visited a samba school, Portela, with 5,000 people.
The Carnival itself lasts one week.
The main event is the samba parade and the Sambadrome, where costumes are showcased and the floats are judged.
All this practice and it's over in less than an hour.
Anyone can join in with the preparations.
You can come along to watch.
You can say, "I've been there, done that -- oh and yes -- I've got the T-shirt."