An interesting week, of course. I am in Brazil!! Every week is interesting :) Although, not all of the best luck.
I went back to Vila Valqueire on Tuesday, the first time I took public transit all on my own. It took a good two hours: two metrôs, and one train later, I find myself in Piedade: the middle of nowhere. Even worse than Vila Valqueire!! Haha, I met up with Vini after spending half an hour wandering around trying to figure out where the hell I was. Then we took the bus back to Vila Valqueire, where I went to my first capoeira class outside of Ipatinga and Capoeira Malês. I met Lucas' professor and had a good class. I love taking capoeira classes in portuguese, it's so easy, actually! All the words that I know... :)
The next day, I met another friend of Vini's, Alexandre, and we went to Barra, to the beach where we just chilled all day. Then we took the bus back to Taquara, which took a good hour and a half, easily. From there, I went online to check on my flight, which was leaving the next morning. That was when I noticed a little attention symbol on my reservation. This I tried to understand, but got translated for me anyway. The note stated that my reservation did not go through. So, we called the airline and we called the site which I purchased the ticket and they regretted to inform me that my reservation was not made, but that I could still fly on the same flight for R$500. I originally paid R$100. So, that's that. I went back to Vila Valqueire and slept.
And slept. I didn't wake up until noon, when the phone rang. Anna's ex-girlfriend in a panic. My entertainment for the day: brazilian lesbian drama. The problem was I really didn't understand it fully, so I was just awkwardly there, with nothing to do (It's VV afterall). I went for a walk in the 30 degree winter chill and sent my resumé and cover letter to WiseUp, another English school in Rio. WiseUp actually hires in October, so I may or may not end up getting a job sooner, if I get offered anything. I would prefer to travel still. I have so many ideas about these next few months! That evening, I waited around for a call from Alexandre, who was supposed to let me know about going to a futebol game. I finally called him and he told me that we were late and that I would have to bus to the stadium by myself if I was going to make it. I debated doing this because it was already dark and I needed to bus to Maracanã, close to downtown, by myself. Since my day was so uneventful, the thought of an uneventful night sitting around Vini's apartment was awful. So I ran for the bus, and made it in time for the game. Well, for the VIP passes which were going to get us in for free. One month in Brazil, and I'm at a Carioca futebol game in the stadium which will host the next World Cup Final. And from inside the stadium, I saw the Christ for the first time, the day I was supposed to leave Rio. Some tourist I am... The game turned out to be uneventful, with a final score of 0-0 for the Flamengos (one of the teams from Rio) and the Atléticos (from Minas Gerias). That night, it took us so long to get back, that I was too scared to bus by myself to Vila Valqueire (Vini was not with us), so I spent the night in Taquara. Staying in Rio: I know the typical Copacabana, Ipanema and Lapa, but most of all, I know Vila Valqueire and Taquara. WTF.
The next day, yesterday actually, I got up bright at early (by this I mean, I woke up at 6am, to make sure I would make it to Vini's before he left for work, and slept for 10 minutes) and headed to Recreio beach. I ended up going with a guy that I met through Alexandre, the guy who snuck us into Maracanã for the game, Fabio. Now Fabio doesn't speak or understand a word of English, so it was a fantastic day for me to practice my portuguese. By the end of the day, my comprehension was much better and I was able to exchange ideas with him fairly easily. I slept all day in the sun, getting a nasty burn on my ass (I guess I forgot how small these bottoms are). Then, we headed back and I found my way back to Vini's where I took a nap and then got ready to go to Lapa. Friday night in Lapa is very exciting, people all over the streets, drinking and smoking. As I walked, Fabio pulled my purse around so it would be in front of me, like a good Brazilian. Always a good idea, but it was too late. I looked inside my purse and my wallet was gone. Surprise surprise! I lost R$40, CAD$15 and USD$4, so not too terrible. But my mastercard was in there, so I had to cancel it. Luckily, no nasty charges. Also lucky that it was a pick pocket; there was no knife, no threats, and I was safe. Still a bummer, though. That was within the first five minutes of our night in Lapa, so I didn't let it bother me. Alexandre and Fabio payed for everything anyways :P We stayed until about 4am or so and headed to the bus station, where we waited for an hour and a half before our bus finally arrived. I slept on the bus to Taquara, and by the time we got there, it was light out (and remember that it is winter here).
Today, I took transit out to Copacabana and purchased my flight to Salvador. This one is definately valid, now, so I will be leaving on Wednesday, September 1st at 7am.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
One week in Rio de Janeiro
Hey guys, I suppose it's irritating when a blog isn't updated enough. I am just online looking for a cheap way to get to Salvador. Surprisingly, it is R$100 cheaper to fly than to take the bus. So, I will be flying out on Wednesday (I think). I need to have a citizen number to book the flight online, so I'm going to see about using my friend's credit card and paying him back.
So, where I left off: I stayed at Vinicius' place for my first night in Rio and planned to go to Lucas' capoeira group the next day. Vini speaks pretty good English. At first, we went back and forth between Portuguese and English, but mostly in English. Tuesday, we woke up and set out on an excursion through the city. I wanted to see the beach, of course, so we jumped on the communal taxi, I bought some cheap and delicious acai (somehow this is the first american style keyboard I come across) with strawberries and then jump on the bus. An hour or so later, we find ourselves at Vini's cousin, Natalia's work. Then, Vini and I headed to the beach, not the touristy Copacabana or Ipanema, but Prainha, a tiny beach where the locals go to surf. It was later in the day (since it took most of the day to get there :P) so there was no body there, plus the fact that it's winter here now. A very cold 27 degree winter. The waves were spectacular and the view of the mountain was gorgeous. This was the moment that I thought, "Maybe I could live in Rio de Janeiro". On one side, there is the city, where you have everything you need, and then you look in the other direction and it is a natural paradise. So, by this time, we are on the other side of Rio, a good hour and a half away from Vila Valqueire, where Vini lives, and I know I'm going to miss the capoeira class and Vini his university class. All is well, we drink beer and laugh. Somehow on this night, I was feeling confident with my Portuguese. I spoke with Vini's other cousin, whose name I can barely pronounce, let alone spell, and his friends. I was feeling good about my Portuguese, like I can actually have a full conversation. Then, after borrowing Natalia's car, we drive back to Vila Valqueire, and the whole way there, I am blabbing away in Portuguese. We get back to Vini's apartment, where his mother and sister are, neither of whom speak or understand any English. I had no problem speaking with them. I was on a role, so excited about what I was talking about. I get ready for bed, and I go to sleep. In the morning, I wake up, and suddenly my Portuguese is gone. I can't get my point across. I'm practically struggling with "Bom Dia". So frustrating. But I guess that's what happens when you learn a new language.
Wednesday, I spoke with Raposa, Alegria and Cabrito and heard where they were staying. I told them, "I'll be there in a few hours", knowing full well that it would because of the buses. They were in Copacabana at a cute little hostel called "Walk on the Beach". I asked Vini how to get there, and we tried to text Alegria back, but were unsuccessful. Then, somehow the day went by. I met up with some of Vini's friends and had lunch (stocked up on vegetables!), went to an English school, where I had a little mini-interview. It was a cute little school, with good facilities and materials. I liked the school and the guy who ran it, and he left me feeling very confident about getting a job. I might not even need this Teacher Placement Program. I think it may be even better, just to go in with my resume and cover letter. After all this realized that it would be dark by the time I arrived in Copacabana. That's not exactly what I wanted to do: ride the public transit in Rio in the dark. So, that didn't happen. Instead, I tried some carioca maconha and had a McChicken from the McDonald's drive-thru. Tastes just like Canada.
Thursday, I get a call from Raposa in the morning. They were worried since I never showed up. I told them that I would definately show up at the beach and that I would bring my backpack and stay in Copacabana, so as not to get stuck in the dark. I packed my bag and set off on another hour and a half on public transit. This time I tried the metro, which is very fast and convienient, like any other metro. Again, I am blown away by the ocean and the view of Ipanema beach. My friends parked themselves right on the end of Ipanema beach, right before it turns into Copacabana, where the surfers are. I spent hours in the waves, and I felt just like a kid again. It reminded me of when I was 12, in Hawaii. I would spend hours in the dangerous waves, letting them throw me around. It was just the same. The water was a bit cold, but very refreshing and very salty. After a few hours, we made our way to the hostel where I checked in (I should bring my entire backpack to the beach every time :P) and found my bunk. That night, we all jumped on the metro and walked around Santa Teresa, a cute part of town with streetcars and oldschool brick streets, trying to find a place to eat. Somehow, instead we found ourselves in the middle of Lapa, the nightclub district. So we ate and did a little Samba, drank a little caipirinha.. the usual.
Friday was pretty chill, we went to a capoeira store in the morning where everyone bought a little something. I bought my first pair of Brazilian underwear, the half-assed kind with a little capoeira on it. Then we hung out on the beach, played in the waves like a child and went out to a churrascaria, all-you-can-eat meat (and a little sushi actually). That was the breaking point. That is when there was a little bit of pain in my stomach. I really need to cool down on the meat. So easy to eat.. the only thing really to eat.
Yesterday morning, we woke up bright and early and headed out to the Floresta Tijuca. This is a protected forest in the middle of Rio. It's free to go in and hike, which we did, taking the whole day. We walked through the forest, saw the waterfalls, saw some funny looking animals with an anteater type snout (except the snout at the end looked like Charlie!) and armadillos. Luckily it was a bit of a chilly day, because the hike was pretty intense. We took the trail all the way to the peak of the mountain, which had the most gorgeous view of the forest and the city. It was a bit overcast, so we couldn't see everything, but it was quite amazing. I may do it again in the summer and roast!! Climbing down was faster, but still nice. Once we got back to the hostel, we chilled out for a few hours before heading out to Lapa again for dinner and drinks. After the drinks, we jumped in a cab and found ourselves at the bottom of the favelas, where we went to the Mangeira, the famous Samba School in Rio. The show was amazing, the costumes remarkable, the dancing ridiculous! By the end of the night I was dancing, but I'm sure I looked like such a gringa!! Man, can those brazilians move it! The women wore the most tight and short dresses I've ever seen, worse than Granville street on a Saturday night! With their big asses, they would shake it like nothing I've ever seen. And the men could really move too. The music was overwhelming actually. By the end of the night, I was tired and I just couldn't believe that people were still moving and dancing and singing and playing their instruments. Brazil is so lively and crazy! The music is really what makes Brazil different, it was truely amazing. But what was even more amazing, is that we made it back to the hostel alive. Our cab driver was insane. He ran every red light that we hit and was speeding like a mad person. We got back in record time, though :)
This morning, I woke up and the last of us checked out of Walk on the Beach Hostel. Caio's good friend Remo picked me up from the hostel and it was only a quick bus ride away from his apartment, where I am now. He lives in a very nice area of Copacabana, right across the street from Le Boy and La Girl, the two big gay clubs in Rio. He is two blocks away from Copacabana beach and three blocks from Ipanema. Life is sweet. We went for a walk to Lagoa, which was only about 15 minutes away, I met his father, had a meaty lunch with a glass of cold red wine. Today I bought my first brazilian bikini, and I'm excited to try it out at the beach tomorrow. I came back to the apartment after buying some vegetables and made a little stir-fry, which I am still nibbling on now.
The plan is now to fly to Salvador on Wednesday after finally taking that capoeira class in Vila Valqueire on Tuesday. Tomorrow, I think I will chill at the beach, and try to find out if I can take a capoeira angola class here in Copacabana.
I LOVE RIO!!!!!!! Seriously considering living here.....
So, where I left off: I stayed at Vinicius' place for my first night in Rio and planned to go to Lucas' capoeira group the next day. Vini speaks pretty good English. At first, we went back and forth between Portuguese and English, but mostly in English. Tuesday, we woke up and set out on an excursion through the city. I wanted to see the beach, of course, so we jumped on the communal taxi, I bought some cheap and delicious acai (somehow this is the first american style keyboard I come across) with strawberries and then jump on the bus. An hour or so later, we find ourselves at Vini's cousin, Natalia's work. Then, Vini and I headed to the beach, not the touristy Copacabana or Ipanema, but Prainha, a tiny beach where the locals go to surf. It was later in the day (since it took most of the day to get there :P) so there was no body there, plus the fact that it's winter here now. A very cold 27 degree winter. The waves were spectacular and the view of the mountain was gorgeous. This was the moment that I thought, "Maybe I could live in Rio de Janeiro". On one side, there is the city, where you have everything you need, and then you look in the other direction and it is a natural paradise. So, by this time, we are on the other side of Rio, a good hour and a half away from Vila Valqueire, where Vini lives, and I know I'm going to miss the capoeira class and Vini his university class. All is well, we drink beer and laugh. Somehow on this night, I was feeling confident with my Portuguese. I spoke with Vini's other cousin, whose name I can barely pronounce, let alone spell, and his friends. I was feeling good about my Portuguese, like I can actually have a full conversation. Then, after borrowing Natalia's car, we drive back to Vila Valqueire, and the whole way there, I am blabbing away in Portuguese. We get back to Vini's apartment, where his mother and sister are, neither of whom speak or understand any English. I had no problem speaking with them. I was on a role, so excited about what I was talking about. I get ready for bed, and I go to sleep. In the morning, I wake up, and suddenly my Portuguese is gone. I can't get my point across. I'm practically struggling with "Bom Dia". So frustrating. But I guess that's what happens when you learn a new language.
Wednesday, I spoke with Raposa, Alegria and Cabrito and heard where they were staying. I told them, "I'll be there in a few hours", knowing full well that it would because of the buses. They were in Copacabana at a cute little hostel called "Walk on the Beach". I asked Vini how to get there, and we tried to text Alegria back, but were unsuccessful. Then, somehow the day went by. I met up with some of Vini's friends and had lunch (stocked up on vegetables!), went to an English school, where I had a little mini-interview. It was a cute little school, with good facilities and materials. I liked the school and the guy who ran it, and he left me feeling very confident about getting a job. I might not even need this Teacher Placement Program. I think it may be even better, just to go in with my resume and cover letter. After all this realized that it would be dark by the time I arrived in Copacabana. That's not exactly what I wanted to do: ride the public transit in Rio in the dark. So, that didn't happen. Instead, I tried some carioca maconha and had a McChicken from the McDonald's drive-thru. Tastes just like Canada.
Thursday, I get a call from Raposa in the morning. They were worried since I never showed up. I told them that I would definately show up at the beach and that I would bring my backpack and stay in Copacabana, so as not to get stuck in the dark. I packed my bag and set off on another hour and a half on public transit. This time I tried the metro, which is very fast and convienient, like any other metro. Again, I am blown away by the ocean and the view of Ipanema beach. My friends parked themselves right on the end of Ipanema beach, right before it turns into Copacabana, where the surfers are. I spent hours in the waves, and I felt just like a kid again. It reminded me of when I was 12, in Hawaii. I would spend hours in the dangerous waves, letting them throw me around. It was just the same. The water was a bit cold, but very refreshing and very salty. After a few hours, we made our way to the hostel where I checked in (I should bring my entire backpack to the beach every time :P) and found my bunk. That night, we all jumped on the metro and walked around Santa Teresa, a cute part of town with streetcars and oldschool brick streets, trying to find a place to eat. Somehow, instead we found ourselves in the middle of Lapa, the nightclub district. So we ate and did a little Samba, drank a little caipirinha.. the usual.
Friday was pretty chill, we went to a capoeira store in the morning where everyone bought a little something. I bought my first pair of Brazilian underwear, the half-assed kind with a little capoeira on it. Then we hung out on the beach, played in the waves like a child and went out to a churrascaria, all-you-can-eat meat (and a little sushi actually). That was the breaking point. That is when there was a little bit of pain in my stomach. I really need to cool down on the meat. So easy to eat.. the only thing really to eat.
Yesterday morning, we woke up bright and early and headed out to the Floresta Tijuca. This is a protected forest in the middle of Rio. It's free to go in and hike, which we did, taking the whole day. We walked through the forest, saw the waterfalls, saw some funny looking animals with an anteater type snout (except the snout at the end looked like Charlie!) and armadillos. Luckily it was a bit of a chilly day, because the hike was pretty intense. We took the trail all the way to the peak of the mountain, which had the most gorgeous view of the forest and the city. It was a bit overcast, so we couldn't see everything, but it was quite amazing. I may do it again in the summer and roast!! Climbing down was faster, but still nice. Once we got back to the hostel, we chilled out for a few hours before heading out to Lapa again for dinner and drinks. After the drinks, we jumped in a cab and found ourselves at the bottom of the favelas, where we went to the Mangeira, the famous Samba School in Rio. The show was amazing, the costumes remarkable, the dancing ridiculous! By the end of the night I was dancing, but I'm sure I looked like such a gringa!! Man, can those brazilians move it! The women wore the most tight and short dresses I've ever seen, worse than Granville street on a Saturday night! With their big asses, they would shake it like nothing I've ever seen. And the men could really move too. The music was overwhelming actually. By the end of the night, I was tired and I just couldn't believe that people were still moving and dancing and singing and playing their instruments. Brazil is so lively and crazy! The music is really what makes Brazil different, it was truely amazing. But what was even more amazing, is that we made it back to the hostel alive. Our cab driver was insane. He ran every red light that we hit and was speeding like a mad person. We got back in record time, though :)
This morning, I woke up and the last of us checked out of Walk on the Beach Hostel. Caio's good friend Remo picked me up from the hostel and it was only a quick bus ride away from his apartment, where I am now. He lives in a very nice area of Copacabana, right across the street from Le Boy and La Girl, the two big gay clubs in Rio. He is two blocks away from Copacabana beach and three blocks from Ipanema. Life is sweet. We went for a walk to Lagoa, which was only about 15 minutes away, I met his father, had a meaty lunch with a glass of cold red wine. Today I bought my first brazilian bikini, and I'm excited to try it out at the beach tomorrow. I came back to the apartment after buying some vegetables and made a little stir-fry, which I am still nibbling on now.
The plan is now to fly to Salvador on Wednesday after finally taking that capoeira class in Vila Valqueire on Tuesday. Tomorrow, I think I will chill at the beach, and try to find out if I can take a capoeira angola class here in Copacabana.
I LOVE RIO!!!!!!! Seriously considering living here.....
Monday, August 16, 2010
Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais (Ipatinga)
Not the best of luck so far, but luckily I am safe and happy. Very happy actually!
We land in São Paulo ten minutes before our flight to Belo Horizonte leaves. We were sure that we missed it, but somehow we snuck our way on, anyway. One quick hour later, we arrive in Belo and I´m waiting for my bag. By this time, I´ve run into about ten or twelve fellow capoeiristas. One by one, they get their bags and get ready. My bag never shows up. Not only me, though. There were four of us in total without bags, however, they were smart. I, on the other hand, brought only my books in my carry on, so I have nothing. I was very lucky to be staying with some awesome people. Everyone was very helpful and I was able to borrow everything I needed until my backpack arrive three days later.
The event was amazing. We stayed at a beautiful ranch without any contact with outsiders. With twelve people to a room, it was like capoeira camp.. almost like a resort. There was a beautiful salt water pool which we swam in during the day when it was warm, similar, I would say, to a Vancouver summer day, but the nights were quite chilly. During the week, I began eating meat again. I must say that brazilian meat is far superior to Canadian or American meat. I had no problem with the switch!
One day we went to the waterfalls, just a half hour walk from the ranch. When we arrived, we decided to go to the top of the waterfall, where we could actually see it, so we began to climb. We were up a little ways and I saw one of the guys slid into the water near the bottom, so I ran to catch up with Raposa to tell her that he fell and to be careful near the top. When I reached her, I was the one who slipped. I slid on the algae right into the waterfall. I started climbing out when Célia fell in as well and the two of us were hanging on. Raposa then was able (who knows how) to pull us both out safely. I assumed after this that my camera (or the one I was using) was broken, but Raposa said we might be able to save it, so she went to get my coat to take it out the pocket. Instead it fell and went right into the waterfall along with one of my shoes. Down stream I was able to locate and retrieve my shoe, but the camera is lost forever. So I appologize now for having absolutely no photos. I don´t know when I will buy one, or if I will buy one. For the batizado, I will be tagged in other albums on Facebook, which you may look at if you wish. And Shaman, if need be, I will replace your camera. Thanks again for lending it to me :(
The first workshops were Forró, which were really fun! I need to learn how to dance like a brazilian, not that I ever will. Then we had a few workshops with Mestre Curisco and on Friday, a workshop with Mestre Museu and another with Mestre Maurão. Lots of benguela, which is my favourite. I do feel very strange being at orange yellow, since us Vancouverites were the only ones with new belts, therefore the only ones who didn´t receive new belts at the batizado. At first, I was very sad, then I remembered that the belt shouldn´t be so stressful. I should just play my capoeira, as Mestre says. I have never been to a more emotional batizado before. It was very moving, I learned a lot and it put a lot of things in perspective. I think everyone should somehow make it to Ipatinga for a batizado. Anyone who missed it, really missed out on something special. Many new instuctors in our midst (INCLUDING SEREIA!!!!! Instructora Sereia Parabéns!!), but no new Mestre. Contra Mestre Lua Branca told us at the batizado that he and Mestre Curisco had discussed this advancement and came to the conclusion that it is not the right time. I was sad, but my heart grew for Lua even more (which I didn´t realize was possible). After the batizado, we partied until late, then went back to the ranch. Then we woke up in the morning, and continued to party. It was a relaxed day, knowing that the stress of the batizado was over (not really for Mestre until we are all gone!) In the evening, Mestre Curisco took the microphone and made a speech. At first it seemed like all others, but then he asked any students who would like to speak. I´ve never seen so many people become so emotional about capoeira. Students got up and told their stories of how capoeira came into their lives and how Mestre Curisco has changed their lives for the better. Even Mestre was moved, by the end of all the speeches, everyone was crying. And I mean everyone. A group of people I only just met, but now they are all my best friends. It was an amazing batizado and nothing will ever compare.
Now I have safely arrived Rio de Janeiro where I am staying with Lucas´friend, Vini. Tomorrow I will be taking a capoeira class with Lucas´group!!
We land in São Paulo ten minutes before our flight to Belo Horizonte leaves. We were sure that we missed it, but somehow we snuck our way on, anyway. One quick hour later, we arrive in Belo and I´m waiting for my bag. By this time, I´ve run into about ten or twelve fellow capoeiristas. One by one, they get their bags and get ready. My bag never shows up. Not only me, though. There were four of us in total without bags, however, they were smart. I, on the other hand, brought only my books in my carry on, so I have nothing. I was very lucky to be staying with some awesome people. Everyone was very helpful and I was able to borrow everything I needed until my backpack arrive three days later.
The event was amazing. We stayed at a beautiful ranch without any contact with outsiders. With twelve people to a room, it was like capoeira camp.. almost like a resort. There was a beautiful salt water pool which we swam in during the day when it was warm, similar, I would say, to a Vancouver summer day, but the nights were quite chilly. During the week, I began eating meat again. I must say that brazilian meat is far superior to Canadian or American meat. I had no problem with the switch!
One day we went to the waterfalls, just a half hour walk from the ranch. When we arrived, we decided to go to the top of the waterfall, where we could actually see it, so we began to climb. We were up a little ways and I saw one of the guys slid into the water near the bottom, so I ran to catch up with Raposa to tell her that he fell and to be careful near the top. When I reached her, I was the one who slipped. I slid on the algae right into the waterfall. I started climbing out when Célia fell in as well and the two of us were hanging on. Raposa then was able (who knows how) to pull us both out safely. I assumed after this that my camera (or the one I was using) was broken, but Raposa said we might be able to save it, so she went to get my coat to take it out the pocket. Instead it fell and went right into the waterfall along with one of my shoes. Down stream I was able to locate and retrieve my shoe, but the camera is lost forever. So I appologize now for having absolutely no photos. I don´t know when I will buy one, or if I will buy one. For the batizado, I will be tagged in other albums on Facebook, which you may look at if you wish. And Shaman, if need be, I will replace your camera. Thanks again for lending it to me :(
The first workshops were Forró, which were really fun! I need to learn how to dance like a brazilian, not that I ever will. Then we had a few workshops with Mestre Curisco and on Friday, a workshop with Mestre Museu and another with Mestre Maurão. Lots of benguela, which is my favourite. I do feel very strange being at orange yellow, since us Vancouverites were the only ones with new belts, therefore the only ones who didn´t receive new belts at the batizado. At first, I was very sad, then I remembered that the belt shouldn´t be so stressful. I should just play my capoeira, as Mestre says. I have never been to a more emotional batizado before. It was very moving, I learned a lot and it put a lot of things in perspective. I think everyone should somehow make it to Ipatinga for a batizado. Anyone who missed it, really missed out on something special. Many new instuctors in our midst (INCLUDING SEREIA!!!!! Instructora Sereia Parabéns!!), but no new Mestre. Contra Mestre Lua Branca told us at the batizado that he and Mestre Curisco had discussed this advancement and came to the conclusion that it is not the right time. I was sad, but my heart grew for Lua even more (which I didn´t realize was possible). After the batizado, we partied until late, then went back to the ranch. Then we woke up in the morning, and continued to party. It was a relaxed day, knowing that the stress of the batizado was over (not really for Mestre until we are all gone!) In the evening, Mestre Curisco took the microphone and made a speech. At first it seemed like all others, but then he asked any students who would like to speak. I´ve never seen so many people become so emotional about capoeira. Students got up and told their stories of how capoeira came into their lives and how Mestre Curisco has changed their lives for the better. Even Mestre was moved, by the end of all the speeches, everyone was crying. And I mean everyone. A group of people I only just met, but now they are all my best friends. It was an amazing batizado and nothing will ever compare.
Now I have safely arrived Rio de Janeiro where I am staying with Lucas´friend, Vini. Tomorrow I will be taking a capoeira class with Lucas´group!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
