Fill me in on Brazil

I'm really considering going to Brazil at the beginning of this coming summer and would like to know any experiences any of you have had.

I have a friend down there who I would really like to see. She lives in Fortaleza which is north of Sao Paulo. She said that it is a lot like Miami, but you are able to see both sides off life (the rich and the poor) right next to eachother. To me, that's a culture that I really want to experience.

I did some homework on the city/country and it talks about how the middle class is like 3%. Crazy to think about, I guess we are one of few countries that actually has a middle class..

But yea, I'm trying to get down and dirty in Brazil and see and experience everything that the region has to offer.

Who knows I might just stay down there for good.

I believe the dollar is worth like 2,1/2 to the reais. So I should be looking good as far as expenses.