Rio de Contas
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Back Home
I'm back in NC and I am making a commitment to continue thinking, laughing and dancing. I'm figuring out what that looks like here, since it is difficult to transition from the vibrant world of capoeira and samba in which I was immersed in Brazil. But I believe that actively processing through blogging will be an important step.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Back in the Big City
After 27 days in Rio de Contas, I have returned to Salvador. I got on a bus at 5:45pm on Saturday, and after 12 hours of trying not to sleep on the person next to me I arrived in Salvador around 6am. My arrival was a little rough, after a month in a town of less than 15,000, with picturesque mountain views, and where it was equally likely to see a car, motorcycle, bike, horse, or donkey as a means of transportation, Salvador was quite a shock.
After managing to get my huge backpack on, I walked out of the rodoviaria, the long-distance bus terminal, to where the buses into the city come. After waiting for about an hour, the bus to Barra where my friends apartment that I'm staying in arrive. It was so full that the bus driver didn't open the door and almost drove away until we knocked on the bus to make him stop.
I climbed in the back door of the bus, but because it was so full I couldn't get any farther than the first step. I was standing on the first step and kneeling on the second while my huge backpack pushed against the bus doors. At one point they opened and I was sure that I was going to fall backwards, but i managed to inch further into the bus, only to have the bus doors close on my backpack, so then I was stuck and couldn't move any further even when there was finally a bit more space.
Eventually I managed to wiggle out of my backpack and the two guys next to me helped me pry my backpack out of the door. Then the bus conductor had to help me lift my backpack over the turnstile.
So after this semi-horrendous/traumatic ride, I arrived safely at my friends apartment and I am now re-settled in Salvador. For the next 3 days I'll be busy writing my 40 page research paper, while I try to process my experience in Rio de Contas. Turn in my paper, make a presentation and then it's officially summer vacation (or I guess winter vacation in Brazil, but to be honest, there isn't that much of a difference here)
Also, I've begun the countdown until the mom and Lauren arrive. 8 days!!!!
After managing to get my huge backpack on, I walked out of the rodoviaria, the long-distance bus terminal, to where the buses into the city come. After waiting for about an hour, the bus to Barra where my friends apartment that I'm staying in arrive. It was so full that the bus driver didn't open the door and almost drove away until we knocked on the bus to make him stop.
I climbed in the back door of the bus, but because it was so full I couldn't get any farther than the first step. I was standing on the first step and kneeling on the second while my huge backpack pushed against the bus doors. At one point they opened and I was sure that I was going to fall backwards, but i managed to inch further into the bus, only to have the bus doors close on my backpack, so then I was stuck and couldn't move any further even when there was finally a bit more space.
Eventually I managed to wiggle out of my backpack and the two guys next to me helped me pry my backpack out of the door. Then the bus conductor had to help me lift my backpack over the turnstile.
So after this semi-horrendous/traumatic ride, I arrived safely at my friends apartment and I am now re-settled in Salvador. For the next 3 days I'll be busy writing my 40 page research paper, while I try to process my experience in Rio de Contas. Turn in my paper, make a presentation and then it's officially summer vacation (or I guess winter vacation in Brazil, but to be honest, there isn't that much of a difference here)
Also, I've begun the countdown until the mom and Lauren arrive. 8 days!!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
More Waterfalls
I am on a blogging role. Mostly because I have A LOT of free time. Today I actually started my research, but I still have lots of time that I find myself needed to fill. This is going to be a very reflective experience.
Today I started my research. My advisor, Gledson, got back last night. Today he took me on a walk around the town telling me the history of the surrounding quilombos and this gold town. The town was founded when the Portuguese wanted to find more gold after most of the gold in Minas Gerais (a neighboring state) was gone. When the Portuguese arrived, there were already some quilombos set up. I'm not going to go into the whole history of the city, but interestingly, apparently it was the 1st planned town in Brazil, and because it also had a lot of money because of the gold, they were able to plan it well, which is why it has such wide streets and lots of plazas and gardens.
After seeing a lot of different parts of the town, including the two social clubs (until the 1970s, one was exclusively white, and the other was black) we went on a walk to a damn that was constructed around the 1980s, that has almost completely displaced one of the quilombo communities, Riacho dos Pedros. The government built this dam bring water to a different city, told the people in the quilombo that it wouldn't displace their land, but then eventually they had to abandon their houses, animals, and fertile land, and now it is almost completely under water. Another student, in 2005, did her ISP on the impact of this dam on the life of the community.
After a nice walk, then another visit to the cachoeira (waterfall), we had lunch then really started my research. We went around the town to find the senhoras, older women, who are most active in samba. Many of them are originally from the quilombos, and many lived in Riacha dos Pedros and were displaced. A lot of them weren't home, but I was able to schedule an interview with one for tomorrow, which I'm really excited about.
I feel like maybe I should be more nervous that I haven't really started my research, but I'm having such a nice time. And I feel like once I talk to one person, things will get rolling. At least that's what I'm hoping.
In addition to my research, I told Gledson I had 3 other goals.
1) Ride horses
2) train in Capoeira
3) go to a forro- a northeastern dance that is at the center of the June festivals which are coming up.
He said all these things could happen, so I just have to make sure that my research also happens!!
Beijos!
Today I started my research. My advisor, Gledson, got back last night. Today he took me on a walk around the town telling me the history of the surrounding quilombos and this gold town. The town was founded when the Portuguese wanted to find more gold after most of the gold in Minas Gerais (a neighboring state) was gone. When the Portuguese arrived, there were already some quilombos set up. I'm not going to go into the whole history of the city, but interestingly, apparently it was the 1st planned town in Brazil, and because it also had a lot of money because of the gold, they were able to plan it well, which is why it has such wide streets and lots of plazas and gardens.
After seeing a lot of different parts of the town, including the two social clubs (until the 1970s, one was exclusively white, and the other was black) we went on a walk to a damn that was constructed around the 1980s, that has almost completely displaced one of the quilombo communities, Riacho dos Pedros. The government built this dam bring water to a different city, told the people in the quilombo that it wouldn't displace their land, but then eventually they had to abandon their houses, animals, and fertile land, and now it is almost completely under water. Another student, in 2005, did her ISP on the impact of this dam on the life of the community.
After a nice walk, then another visit to the cachoeira (waterfall), we had lunch then really started my research. We went around the town to find the senhoras, older women, who are most active in samba. Many of them are originally from the quilombos, and many lived in Riacha dos Pedros and were displaced. A lot of them weren't home, but I was able to schedule an interview with one for tomorrow, which I'm really excited about.
I feel like maybe I should be more nervous that I haven't really started my research, but I'm having such a nice time. And I feel like once I talk to one person, things will get rolling. At least that's what I'm hoping.
In addition to my research, I told Gledson I had 3 other goals.
1) Ride horses
2) train in Capoeira
3) go to a forro- a northeastern dance that is at the center of the June festivals which are coming up.
He said all these things could happen, so I just have to make sure that my research also happens!!
Beijos!
Day 2 in the Waterfall Land
Monday May 16th
Today I woke up at 5 to a rooster crowing. I would have been mad, but I had gone to sleep at 9 the night before, so I was very well rested.
I spent the morning at the Public Archives, one of my new favorite places (I think I’m going to have a lot of those). It is a beautiful building filled with historical things. The women were so nice, and while they didn’t have a lot of stuff on samba, they pulled out lots of books and documents about the history of the area, the quilombos and festivals. It was very helpful, although it made me wish I could read Portuguese better. I am definitely a much better at speaking and listening than reading. While I get the general gist while reading, I don’t understand every word, and especially when it is academic I get frustrated and overwhelmed very fast. It’s like a puzzle: I know that I information I need is in the words, and I can see the outline, but I can’t make out the details, so I’m never completely confident that I’m understanding the reading correctly. When I’m speaking I can ask, I can make funny hand motions, and I can read people expressions, intonations, body language, etc. Words don’t have any of that.
But after what I think is a very productive first morning, I came back home for lunch, took a power nap, then went exploring a little more. I was able to buy some tings I need at the pharmacy, go back to the internet café, make a deposit for a reservation at a guest house for when lauren and mom come (yay!) and…… FIND SOYMILK!!!! (erin, things are going to be extra great). I was really excited about that find, since the only grocery stores I’ve seen here so far are little mercadinhos, which are super cute, but don’t always have strange items like soymilk. I also found plain yogurt, which can be a struggle in a country that doesn’t understand the words “non-sweetened.”
As I was looking for soymilk and yogurt, I realized one of the reasons that this town is so calm. It has no commercial chains. All the markets, pharmacies, restaurants are locally owned. I’m sure there are some chains somewhere, but I have yet to see them. This is very different from Salvador, where the road that my school was on was not only lined with shop after shop after shop (there are multiple chains that were repeated a few times on the street), but overflowing with street vendors selling everything from underwear, rompers, batterys, medicinal herbs, and recently a bunch of toy horses (I don’t know why, but everyone had them right before I left).
But here, it seems like every store is small and locally owned. Which is really nice. The only problem is that I need a towel, and I have yet to find a store which sells one, but I have hope that I’ll find one.
I’m off for an exploratory run, possibly one that leads to a waterfall.
Beijos!
Today I woke up at 5 to a rooster crowing. I would have been mad, but I had gone to sleep at 9 the night before, so I was very well rested.
I spent the morning at the Public Archives, one of my new favorite places (I think I’m going to have a lot of those). It is a beautiful building filled with historical things. The women were so nice, and while they didn’t have a lot of stuff on samba, they pulled out lots of books and documents about the history of the area, the quilombos and festivals. It was very helpful, although it made me wish I could read Portuguese better. I am definitely a much better at speaking and listening than reading. While I get the general gist while reading, I don’t understand every word, and especially when it is academic I get frustrated and overwhelmed very fast. It’s like a puzzle: I know that I information I need is in the words, and I can see the outline, but I can’t make out the details, so I’m never completely confident that I’m understanding the reading correctly. When I’m speaking I can ask, I can make funny hand motions, and I can read people expressions, intonations, body language, etc. Words don’t have any of that.
But after what I think is a very productive first morning, I came back home for lunch, took a power nap, then went exploring a little more. I was able to buy some tings I need at the pharmacy, go back to the internet café, make a deposit for a reservation at a guest house for when lauren and mom come (yay!) and…… FIND SOYMILK!!!! (erin, things are going to be extra great). I was really excited about that find, since the only grocery stores I’ve seen here so far are little mercadinhos, which are super cute, but don’t always have strange items like soymilk. I also found plain yogurt, which can be a struggle in a country that doesn’t understand the words “non-sweetened.”
As I was looking for soymilk and yogurt, I realized one of the reasons that this town is so calm. It has no commercial chains. All the markets, pharmacies, restaurants are locally owned. I’m sure there are some chains somewhere, but I have yet to see them. This is very different from Salvador, where the road that my school was on was not only lined with shop after shop after shop (there are multiple chains that were repeated a few times on the street), but overflowing with street vendors selling everything from underwear, rompers, batterys, medicinal herbs, and recently a bunch of toy horses (I don’t know why, but everyone had them right before I left).
But here, it seems like every store is small and locally owned. Which is really nice. The only problem is that I need a towel, and I have yet to find a store which sells one, but I have hope that I’ll find one.
I’m off for an exploratory run, possibly one that leads to a waterfall.
Beijos!
The Land of Mountains, Waterfalls, and Hopefully samba!
Sunday May 15th
Hello World,
Today I arrived in Rio de Contas after a 12 hour bus ride from Salvador. I’m here to do my ISP (Independent Study Project), and I’ll be researching self-esteem, body image, and cultural/ethnic identity in women who samba.
My advisor/orientador, Gledson (who is awesome!) met me at the bus stop and took me to his house where I am living with him, his brother, and his mother. I have a very cute room with a bunk bed, and the shower is hot! This is the 7th place I’ve stayed in Brazil, and the 4th “homestay.” I’m getting very used to being a nomad, and more and more comfortable living in other people’s homes. I would really like to cook my own food here, because I don’t know how much more white, processed carbs, salt, and meat my body can take, but I don’t want to be rude. So I have to see if that’s possible. (And if I can even find whole grains in this city).
Gledson had to go to a neighboring town today to help another researcher, and is coming back tomorrow night. I seem to have a problem with keeping my advisors in the same city (I also have an academic advisor, an anthropologist in Salvador, but she was out of town and I couldn’t meet with her before I left for Rio de Contas. I was pretty bummed out because I was looking forward to her help with my methodology and literature, but I will survive).
But Gledson not being her actually hasn’t been a problem, it’s been good because I have today and tomorrow to get oriented and organized. Today I went on a walk around town and took pictures (you can see them here). I feel so lucky to be here. The town is beautiful, the weather feels like spring/autumn in NC (I can’t decide which), I am surrounded by mountains and rivers with waterfalls.
It is like a 180 from Salvador
• Instead of pagode music blasting out of speaker jacked with cars, it’s bossa nova-y romantic music.
• The streets are mostly empty except for a few churrascurias and some old men playing dominoes (I’m going to get in on those games soon!).
• I haven’t been cat-called once! Let’s just linger on that one for a while…. It’s pretty incredible.
• Today I went to a waterfall and went swimming at the foot of a mountain (my camera was out of battery, but I will return and take pictures)
• The weather is crisp and clean, instead of balmy and steamy. Right now I’m wearing pants, two shirts, a sweatshirt, and sock, and I’m still a little cold (girls in Salvador, can you imagine that?!?)
• Instead of constantly being told to be careful because people are going to steal my stuff, I’ve been told again and again how safe Rio de Contas is, how there is very little crime, and I don’t need to be afraid. I will of course continue to be smart, but it’s nice to be able to relax.
I really do love Salvador, but it’s nice to have a change, and see a very different side of Bahia.
My life feels a little bit like a dream.
Tomorrow I’m planning on going to the archives to do library research before Gledson gets back, and probably some more picture taking and exploring.
I think this time here is going to be very good for me on a lot of levels. I will get to relax, enjoy nature, and pursue a research interest that I’m very excited about. I could have never imagined that this is where I would be, but I feel like it’s the right place.
Tchau for now!
Hello World,
Today I arrived in Rio de Contas after a 12 hour bus ride from Salvador. I’m here to do my ISP (Independent Study Project), and I’ll be researching self-esteem, body image, and cultural/ethnic identity in women who samba.
My advisor/orientador, Gledson (who is awesome!) met me at the bus stop and took me to his house where I am living with him, his brother, and his mother. I have a very cute room with a bunk bed, and the shower is hot! This is the 7th place I’ve stayed in Brazil, and the 4th “homestay.” I’m getting very used to being a nomad, and more and more comfortable living in other people’s homes. I would really like to cook my own food here, because I don’t know how much more white, processed carbs, salt, and meat my body can take, but I don’t want to be rude. So I have to see if that’s possible. (And if I can even find whole grains in this city).
Gledson had to go to a neighboring town today to help another researcher, and is coming back tomorrow night. I seem to have a problem with keeping my advisors in the same city (I also have an academic advisor, an anthropologist in Salvador, but she was out of town and I couldn’t meet with her before I left for Rio de Contas. I was pretty bummed out because I was looking forward to her help with my methodology and literature, but I will survive).
But Gledson not being her actually hasn’t been a problem, it’s been good because I have today and tomorrow to get oriented and organized. Today I went on a walk around town and took pictures (you can see them here). I feel so lucky to be here. The town is beautiful, the weather feels like spring/autumn in NC (I can’t decide which), I am surrounded by mountains and rivers with waterfalls.
It is like a 180 from Salvador
• Instead of pagode music blasting out of speaker jacked with cars, it’s bossa nova-y romantic music.
• The streets are mostly empty except for a few churrascurias and some old men playing dominoes (I’m going to get in on those games soon!).
• I haven’t been cat-called once! Let’s just linger on that one for a while…. It’s pretty incredible.
• Today I went to a waterfall and went swimming at the foot of a mountain (my camera was out of battery, but I will return and take pictures)
• The weather is crisp and clean, instead of balmy and steamy. Right now I’m wearing pants, two shirts, a sweatshirt, and sock, and I’m still a little cold (girls in Salvador, can you imagine that?!?)
• Instead of constantly being told to be careful because people are going to steal my stuff, I’ve been told again and again how safe Rio de Contas is, how there is very little crime, and I don’t need to be afraid. I will of course continue to be smart, but it’s nice to be able to relax.
I really do love Salvador, but it’s nice to have a change, and see a very different side of Bahia.
My life feels a little bit like a dream.
Tomorrow I’m planning on going to the archives to do library research before Gledson gets back, and probably some more picture taking and exploring.
I think this time here is going to be very good for me on a lot of levels. I will get to relax, enjoy nature, and pursue a research interest that I’m very excited about. I could have never imagined that this is where I would be, but I feel like it’s the right place.
Tchau for now!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Independence
I've arrived in Rio de Contas to begin my ISP (Independent Research Project). I have a few days to relax, because my advisor is busy until Tuesday, so I'm getting acclimated, which isn't hard because it's absolutely beautiful (The new photo on my blog is of one of the rivers here). I'll upload photos to this album
About to go to a waterfall!!!!
About to go to a waterfall!!!!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Should be sleeping...
I should be asleep right now because it’s 12:30, which is far past my normal Brazilian be time (I’m usually asleep my 10), but I was so tired at 8, and I had a paper to write and I needed to clean my room and pack, that I drank 2 cups of coffee and green tea, so now, even though I’m done with everything, I can’t sleep.
I thought I would take this opportunity to write a blog entry, since I haven’t in a while, and I have a lot on my mind. As always, this will be a scattered smattering of my current thoughts. I’ve given up on focused, eloquent blog posts. It’s just not my style, and I’ve accepted that about myself.
So I am more than 2 months into my time in Brazil. I’ve finished my “normal” classes and lectures (as normal as visiting lecturers on everything from racism to indigenous health practices to public health system organization and excursions to hospitals, maternity centers, islands and villages go). Then I was in Santo Antônio de Jesus, a mid-sized city in the Recôncavo, where I worked at CRAS Quilombola, and social services center. That’s where I was teaching dance (see “The Roy”).
I came back to my wonderful host family in Federação and I was greeted by my host brother and sister-in-law who I was surprised to see, because they don’t live in my neighborhood, and I only met them about 2 weeks ago when I was on family vacation during Semana Santa. They were there for a birthday party on the street, which I went to, and then they spent the night to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday. I know you might think the way to spend Mother’s Day is to have brunch and flowers, maybe some chocolate, but you would be wrong. The way you spend mothers day is getting dressed up, going to the front patio of your neighbors house and drinking lots of Skol (Brazilian beer) and dancing to Pagodé music (here are some examples- one of the most popular) that is blaring from a huge speaker that is jacked onto a car. (This car is almost always parked outside of my house playing music). So next year, if you want to try something new to honor the woman who gave you life, you know what my suggestion is.
This week is dedicated to preparing for our ISPs (Independent Research Project). We’ve been working on proposing and organizing these projects the entire semester. I am going to Rio de Contas to research body image, self-esteem, and ethnic/cultural identity in afro-Brazilian women. Rio de Contas is in the Chapada district of Bahia, which is a national park, and the diamond and gold area. It is a 12 hour bus ride from Salvador, which will leave at 9pm, and I will arrive in the morning.
Choosing this location was definitely a personal challenge, because it is not in my personality to go with the unknown. I thought I would go to the Recôncavo, which is known as the heart of afro-Brazilian culture. It is the birthplace of the Samba, and has a very active Candomblé tradition. If you want to study samba, it is the place to go. About a month ago, when I was pretty set on doing my research there, my academic director told me that she had talked to one of her contacts in Rio de Contas, and he told her that for women there, samba is very strong and active. I deliberated, and eventually decided that I should take this risk because it’s a chance to see a completely different part of Brazil, and my advisor has more contacts, so it will be easier for my to get situated.
Apparently it is one of the most beautiful parts of Brazil, full of mountains and waterfalls. I’ll try to take lots of pictures. Also, The city of Rio de Contas was established for gold mining, and is historically a white Portuguese city, but before the city was founded there were already 3 quilombos on the outskirts. I will be living in Rio de Contas and doing research there and in the 3 quilombos.
So as I prepare for this trip (I leave this weekend), I’ve finally had time to reflect on my time here. Until now, we’ve been going non-stop. With classes all day, excursions to various locations, I’ve been on the run and we haven’t done very much processing, so its just been in the past few weeks that everything I’ve learned has started to sink and I’ve been able to synthesize and reflect.
I’m realizing how much of a verbal/communicative learner I am. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you since we all know how much I love to talk, but I’ve realized that the reason I’ve felt very intellectually disconnected is because I haven’t been having discussions about how what I’m doing/hearing/seeing in lectures and excursions connects to reading and knowledge and history. While I know that I should be doing that on my own, and I am to some extent, I realize that the majority of that happens through conversation for me. I definitely normally have that in class back home, but probably even more than class, at home I’m lucky to have friends with whom there is not a disconnect between our social and intellectual selves, and we are constantly processing and challenging each other. It’s interesting to realize how much I depend on that form of learning, and while I’m here I need to challenge myself to do that processing individually. Probably a good exercise.
Another realization, which I knew about myself, but now am even more conscious of, is how much I am impacted by the people I am with. This is connected to the above statement, but I’m realizing that who I am with on a regular basis impacts not only on my mood, but what I am thinking about, how I process information and what I do. I’m sure this is true for all people, and I sound like Captain Obvious stating it, but as I’ve been reflecting on my experience I realize that there are parts of me that I don’t really feel like are expressed in Brazil. It’s not that I’m actively trying to hide them, but because the people I’m around don’t bring them out in me.
I don’t know how I feel about how much I am impacted by those around me. I think that I wish I was more steady and strong in myself, but then again, I guess this trait is part of me “being myself.” I think what I’m frustrated with is not the fact that I am impacted by other, because that is only natural, but the fact that sometimes I actively change my plans or don’t pursue what I want to do, not because anyone is stopping me, but because no one is encouraging me. I want to be more assertive and active in making sure that I reach the goals I set, whether or not they are the goals of others.
For this reason I’m really excited that I will be the only SIT student in Rio de Contas. I think it will be an important time for me to flex my independence. I won’t be able to ask other what I should do, what I should wear (if you’ve ever lived with me you know I have a hard time with this one), or to use as an excuse for not doing something. It’s going to be all on me, and at the end of the day, my project will reflect how I took advantage of that experience.
OK, sorry that this is so long. Hope it was at least somewhat enjoyable.
I thought I would take this opportunity to write a blog entry, since I haven’t in a while, and I have a lot on my mind. As always, this will be a scattered smattering of my current thoughts. I’ve given up on focused, eloquent blog posts. It’s just not my style, and I’ve accepted that about myself.
So I am more than 2 months into my time in Brazil. I’ve finished my “normal” classes and lectures (as normal as visiting lecturers on everything from racism to indigenous health practices to public health system organization and excursions to hospitals, maternity centers, islands and villages go). Then I was in Santo Antônio de Jesus, a mid-sized city in the Recôncavo, where I worked at CRAS Quilombola, and social services center. That’s where I was teaching dance (see “The Roy”).
I came back to my wonderful host family in Federação and I was greeted by my host brother and sister-in-law who I was surprised to see, because they don’t live in my neighborhood, and I only met them about 2 weeks ago when I was on family vacation during Semana Santa. They were there for a birthday party on the street, which I went to, and then they spent the night to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday. I know you might think the way to spend Mother’s Day is to have brunch and flowers, maybe some chocolate, but you would be wrong. The way you spend mothers day is getting dressed up, going to the front patio of your neighbors house and drinking lots of Skol (Brazilian beer) and dancing to Pagodé music (here are some examples- one of the most popular) that is blaring from a huge speaker that is jacked onto a car. (This car is almost always parked outside of my house playing music). So next year, if you want to try something new to honor the woman who gave you life, you know what my suggestion is.
This week is dedicated to preparing for our ISPs (Independent Research Project). We’ve been working on proposing and organizing these projects the entire semester. I am going to Rio de Contas to research body image, self-esteem, and ethnic/cultural identity in afro-Brazilian women. Rio de Contas is in the Chapada district of Bahia, which is a national park, and the diamond and gold area. It is a 12 hour bus ride from Salvador, which will leave at 9pm, and I will arrive in the morning.
Choosing this location was definitely a personal challenge, because it is not in my personality to go with the unknown. I thought I would go to the Recôncavo, which is known as the heart of afro-Brazilian culture. It is the birthplace of the Samba, and has a very active Candomblé tradition. If you want to study samba, it is the place to go. About a month ago, when I was pretty set on doing my research there, my academic director told me that she had talked to one of her contacts in Rio de Contas, and he told her that for women there, samba is very strong and active. I deliberated, and eventually decided that I should take this risk because it’s a chance to see a completely different part of Brazil, and my advisor has more contacts, so it will be easier for my to get situated.
Apparently it is one of the most beautiful parts of Brazil, full of mountains and waterfalls. I’ll try to take lots of pictures. Also, The city of Rio de Contas was established for gold mining, and is historically a white Portuguese city, but before the city was founded there were already 3 quilombos on the outskirts. I will be living in Rio de Contas and doing research there and in the 3 quilombos.
So as I prepare for this trip (I leave this weekend), I’ve finally had time to reflect on my time here. Until now, we’ve been going non-stop. With classes all day, excursions to various locations, I’ve been on the run and we haven’t done very much processing, so its just been in the past few weeks that everything I’ve learned has started to sink and I’ve been able to synthesize and reflect.
I’m realizing how much of a verbal/communicative learner I am. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you since we all know how much I love to talk, but I’ve realized that the reason I’ve felt very intellectually disconnected is because I haven’t been having discussions about how what I’m doing/hearing/seeing in lectures and excursions connects to reading and knowledge and history. While I know that I should be doing that on my own, and I am to some extent, I realize that the majority of that happens through conversation for me. I definitely normally have that in class back home, but probably even more than class, at home I’m lucky to have friends with whom there is not a disconnect between our social and intellectual selves, and we are constantly processing and challenging each other. It’s interesting to realize how much I depend on that form of learning, and while I’m here I need to challenge myself to do that processing individually. Probably a good exercise.
Another realization, which I knew about myself, but now am even more conscious of, is how much I am impacted by the people I am with. This is connected to the above statement, but I’m realizing that who I am with on a regular basis impacts not only on my mood, but what I am thinking about, how I process information and what I do. I’m sure this is true for all people, and I sound like Captain Obvious stating it, but as I’ve been reflecting on my experience I realize that there are parts of me that I don’t really feel like are expressed in Brazil. It’s not that I’m actively trying to hide them, but because the people I’m around don’t bring them out in me.
I don’t know how I feel about how much I am impacted by those around me. I think that I wish I was more steady and strong in myself, but then again, I guess this trait is part of me “being myself.” I think what I’m frustrated with is not the fact that I am impacted by other, because that is only natural, but the fact that sometimes I actively change my plans or don’t pursue what I want to do, not because anyone is stopping me, but because no one is encouraging me. I want to be more assertive and active in making sure that I reach the goals I set, whether or not they are the goals of others.
For this reason I’m really excited that I will be the only SIT student in Rio de Contas. I think it will be an important time for me to flex my independence. I won’t be able to ask other what I should do, what I should wear (if you’ve ever lived with me you know I have a hard time with this one), or to use as an excuse for not doing something. It’s going to be all on me, and at the end of the day, my project will reflect how I took advantage of that experience.
OK, sorry that this is so long. Hope it was at least somewhat enjoyable.
Rain in Salvador
When it rains in Salvador, you can see it coming.
Looking out my window in my room in Federação I see a dark cloud over the buildings, and under it a wall that makes everything hazy.
As soon as I say, “I think it’s going to rain,” it’s already started and the misty haze is pouring down.
It spatters on pavement, and tin roofs, and gutters and the wind blows it through my window onto my feet.
It’s my favorite sound in Brazil
Looking out my window in my room in Federação I see a dark cloud over the buildings, and under it a wall that makes everything hazy.
As soon as I say, “I think it’s going to rain,” it’s already started and the misty haze is pouring down.
It spatters on pavement, and tin roofs, and gutters and the wind blows it through my window onto my feet.
It’s my favorite sound in Brazil
Roy!
Written May 4th:
Yesterday I taught a group of about 20 8-12 year olds the Roy. If you don’t know what the Roy is, it is a hip-hop song and dance that I had the privilege to learn from the 2009 SCFP Freedom Fellows when I was an intern in the Mississippi Delta.
It seems fitting that I am bringing my SCFP experience to this portion of my time in Brazil. I am in Santo Antônio de Jesus, a mid-size city in the Recôncavo region of Bahia. This is the rich agricultural area around the Bay of All Saints which is the heart of afro-Brazilian culture. It is the birthplace of the samba-de-roda, the original samba from which all forms grew.
So, if Blues is the U.S. what Samba is to Brazil (which I think it sort of is), basically, I’m in the Delta of Brazil. And it reminds me of it in many ways. It is an incredibly important region of Brazil historically, especially in terms of black culture. The small to mid-sized cities are a good distance apart, separated by kilometers of either agricultural fields of cow fields. While there is definitely more hills than the Delta (and palm, mango, cacua, goiba, caju, and tamarind trees) it still has a similar feeling. The towns are most set up around a main praça where everyone comes at night to hang out and eat acaraje (a traditional bahian street food), egg burgers from trucks, or corn on a cob from a vendor with a rolling cart.
This is my second week here. We are here for two weeks doing semi-internships at different organizations. Most people are at health clinics, but because two of us are interested in performance we are working at CRAS Quilombola, a Reference Center for Social Action, which provides social services for a poor neighborhood.
We are helping them start a dance group, which means that everyday we have a dance/performance class with whoever shows up, usually atleast 2 ro 3 kids or adolescents. Today we had over 20 kids, because they usually have a program at the center, so they all came to our class. It was quite a handful, but super exciting.
Yesterday I taught a group of about 20 8-12 year olds the Roy. If you don’t know what the Roy is, it is a hip-hop song and dance that I had the privilege to learn from the 2009 SCFP Freedom Fellows when I was an intern in the Mississippi Delta.
It seems fitting that I am bringing my SCFP experience to this portion of my time in Brazil. I am in Santo Antônio de Jesus, a mid-size city in the Recôncavo region of Bahia. This is the rich agricultural area around the Bay of All Saints which is the heart of afro-Brazilian culture. It is the birthplace of the samba-de-roda, the original samba from which all forms grew.
So, if Blues is the U.S. what Samba is to Brazil (which I think it sort of is), basically, I’m in the Delta of Brazil. And it reminds me of it in many ways. It is an incredibly important region of Brazil historically, especially in terms of black culture. The small to mid-sized cities are a good distance apart, separated by kilometers of either agricultural fields of cow fields. While there is definitely more hills than the Delta (and palm, mango, cacua, goiba, caju, and tamarind trees) it still has a similar feeling. The towns are most set up around a main praça where everyone comes at night to hang out and eat acaraje (a traditional bahian street food), egg burgers from trucks, or corn on a cob from a vendor with a rolling cart.
This is my second week here. We are here for two weeks doing semi-internships at different organizations. Most people are at health clinics, but because two of us are interested in performance we are working at CRAS Quilombola, a Reference Center for Social Action, which provides social services for a poor neighborhood.
We are helping them start a dance group, which means that everyday we have a dance/performance class with whoever shows up, usually atleast 2 ro 3 kids or adolescents. Today we had over 20 kids, because they usually have a program at the center, so they all came to our class. It was quite a handful, but super exciting.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Goiaba (Guava)
So Brazil smells like fruit. I've decided that Brazil is the fruit capital of the world. There is greater variety and quantity of fruit than I've ever had.
The other day I ate goiaba (guava) in 4 different forms:
1) fresh guava
2) guava juice
3) guava acai (a smoothie liek thing with acai and guava topped with granola)
4) goiabada (guava paste)
The other day I ate goiaba (guava) in 4 different forms:
1) fresh guava
2) guava juice
3) guava acai (a smoothie liek thing with acai and guava topped with granola)
4) goiabada (guava paste)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Catch Up
I am failing at blogging, but once again it is pouring on the weekend, so my beach plans have been cancelled, so I will try to catch up on the past month or so. Sorry if this isn’t very organized.
So some bullet points on things that I’ve done with my program:
• Lectures on racism and human rights, culture, traditional healing, a Sistema Unica de Saúde (SUS- Brazil’s public health system),
• Visited a Candomblé Terreiro
• Went to a small village, Alecrim, for 4 days, lived with families, and learned about how SUS works in a rural community
• Visited a few hospital (for various reasons)
• Visited many HIV/AIDS facilities and organizations
So it’s been really busy. Everything has been very interesting, but at times it’s been a bit frustrating because we are in school from 9-4, which means that I have to leave my house at 8, and I don’t get back until 5. On top of that we have homework, which means it can be very difficult to do anything else, such as dance classes, capoeira, or meeting friends outside of the program. We also are in and out of the city, because we have many excursions, such as the one to Alecrim. I think that I thought that I would have a chance to be more settled, but I’ve come to accept that my experience isn’t really going to be about settling down in one place, but rather about experiencing lots of different things. Although I still have about 2 months left in the program, I will only be in Salvador for about 3 more weeks, because we have 2 trips and then we begin our ISPs, the Independent Study Projects, and I will probably go outside of the city for that.
But now, I’m going to try and look back on my time here:
Fica Vontade
Fica Vontade, basically means “make yourself at home” and has been the theme of my time in Brazil, especially while I was in Alecrim. Alecrim is a small rural community in the Recôncavo, a region of Bahia that surrounds the Bay of All Saints. The Recôncavo is the birthplace of the Samba, and Cachoeira, one of the largest cities there, is known as the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. We went to Alecrim to experience life in a rural community and understand how the PSF, the primary care units of the Brazilian public health system, function. It was undoubtedly one of my best weeks in Brazil.
The week before had been particularly difficult for me. We were trying to finish our ISP proposals, which was not only stressful because we have to pick a topic, but also because it’s extremely difficult to research the necessary secondary sources because we don’t have consistent internet, and the libraries close soon after we get out of school. I was also stressing out because it was very difficult for me to do the things I had imagined- take dance classes, capoeira, meet people outside of my program. I think I was also at the 3 week points in any trip, when things are no longer brand new and exciting, but things aren’t comfortable or easy either.
So basically, I was not having such a great week, and then we got on a bus, drove 2 hours, and we were in this beautiful small community, with lots of green, fruit trees, and fresh air. I love Salvador, but it was so nice to get away from the concrete, street vendors and hustle and bustle. It was also really nice to be a part of a small community. This was the first time that SIT had stayed with host families in Alecrim, so it was a very new and special experience for everyone. For some of the people in the community, it was their first contact with people from the United States. The community went out of their way to make us feel at home, and my host mother said “Fica vontade” at least 20 times every hours.
While we were there we visited the PSFs, went to community events, such as a screening of documentary about the history of the region, talked with a traditional healer, and then the community had a Samba de Roda on our last night. Samba de Rosa is the type of Samba in Bahia, and it is often called the most authentic type. It was born in the Recôncavo, and it very linked with West African dance traditions. We all danced, ate the best Acaraje I’ve ever eaten (a traditional Bahian street food), and by the end of the 4 days I didn’t want to leave. It reminded me a lot of my experiences in La Isla, El Salvador, the community had the same strength and unity. We all cried while we were leaving, and I’m trying to figure out how to get myself back there.
Sickness and Health
Ok everyone, this section is not here to make you nervous, so please don’t worry. But my semi-illness has been a large part of my experience, so I wanted to relay it to you. I am learning about public health through visceral experience.
I’ve had a cough for 3 weeks now, and because of this cough I’ve been offered many many traditional remedies, in addition to various biomedical treatments. Nothing has cured it, but some things have helped. My favorites were probably the fresh black pepper that someone in Alecrim picked off of a tree for me. It definitely cleared my sinuses. Also, my host mother in Alecrim had to hear me cough all night, every night and she would wake up in the middle of the night to make me various remedies. The most common was basically a hot orange Julius- fresh squeezed orange juice, which was heated up and then combined with sugar and powdered milk. I never thought it would work, but it actually did. Once I got back to Salvador, I moved on to a “chazinho” (little tea) with garlic, onion, lime and some leaf/grass. It didn’t me from coughing, but I’m sure that it made me healthier somehow.
Last week we were going on house visits through a public health system program and I fainted. That was fun. We think it was probably because I’ve had some congestion in my ears that threw off my balance.
After this, my host mother decided that I no longer had a choice about the matter and that I was going to the doctor. I had kind of tried to avoid it because I didn’t think it was serious, but by this point I was so tired of coughing all through the night I was willing to do anything.
My host mother works at a public health clinic at UFBA, the federal university, so I got to have some very experiential learning about the public health care system. I got very fast and attentive care, and more medical attention that I think I’ve ever gotten. I got some radiogram of my heart (I don’t think that’s what it’s called) and an x-ray of my chest. So no one worry, we’ve ruled our TB and Pneumonia.
So now- after traditional remedies and a lot of SUS health care, I’m on antibiotics, cough syrup, and allergy medication, and at least one of them is working because I can actually sleep through the night without waking myself up coughing.
This Wednesday I'm going to Ilha de Mare, a rural island on the ocean!!!!
tchau amigos/as
So some bullet points on things that I’ve done with my program:
• Lectures on racism and human rights, culture, traditional healing, a Sistema Unica de Saúde (SUS- Brazil’s public health system),
• Visited a Candomblé Terreiro
• Went to a small village, Alecrim, for 4 days, lived with families, and learned about how SUS works in a rural community
• Visited a few hospital (for various reasons)
• Visited many HIV/AIDS facilities and organizations
So it’s been really busy. Everything has been very interesting, but at times it’s been a bit frustrating because we are in school from 9-4, which means that I have to leave my house at 8, and I don’t get back until 5. On top of that we have homework, which means it can be very difficult to do anything else, such as dance classes, capoeira, or meeting friends outside of the program. We also are in and out of the city, because we have many excursions, such as the one to Alecrim. I think that I thought that I would have a chance to be more settled, but I’ve come to accept that my experience isn’t really going to be about settling down in one place, but rather about experiencing lots of different things. Although I still have about 2 months left in the program, I will only be in Salvador for about 3 more weeks, because we have 2 trips and then we begin our ISPs, the Independent Study Projects, and I will probably go outside of the city for that.
But now, I’m going to try and look back on my time here:
Fica Vontade
Fica Vontade, basically means “make yourself at home” and has been the theme of my time in Brazil, especially while I was in Alecrim. Alecrim is a small rural community in the Recôncavo, a region of Bahia that surrounds the Bay of All Saints. The Recôncavo is the birthplace of the Samba, and Cachoeira, one of the largest cities there, is known as the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. We went to Alecrim to experience life in a rural community and understand how the PSF, the primary care units of the Brazilian public health system, function. It was undoubtedly one of my best weeks in Brazil.
The week before had been particularly difficult for me. We were trying to finish our ISP proposals, which was not only stressful because we have to pick a topic, but also because it’s extremely difficult to research the necessary secondary sources because we don’t have consistent internet, and the libraries close soon after we get out of school. I was also stressing out because it was very difficult for me to do the things I had imagined- take dance classes, capoeira, meet people outside of my program. I think I was also at the 3 week points in any trip, when things are no longer brand new and exciting, but things aren’t comfortable or easy either.
So basically, I was not having such a great week, and then we got on a bus, drove 2 hours, and we were in this beautiful small community, with lots of green, fruit trees, and fresh air. I love Salvador, but it was so nice to get away from the concrete, street vendors and hustle and bustle. It was also really nice to be a part of a small community. This was the first time that SIT had stayed with host families in Alecrim, so it was a very new and special experience for everyone. For some of the people in the community, it was their first contact with people from the United States. The community went out of their way to make us feel at home, and my host mother said “Fica vontade” at least 20 times every hours.
While we were there we visited the PSFs, went to community events, such as a screening of documentary about the history of the region, talked with a traditional healer, and then the community had a Samba de Roda on our last night. Samba de Rosa is the type of Samba in Bahia, and it is often called the most authentic type. It was born in the Recôncavo, and it very linked with West African dance traditions. We all danced, ate the best Acaraje I’ve ever eaten (a traditional Bahian street food), and by the end of the 4 days I didn’t want to leave. It reminded me a lot of my experiences in La Isla, El Salvador, the community had the same strength and unity. We all cried while we were leaving, and I’m trying to figure out how to get myself back there.
Sickness and Health
Ok everyone, this section is not here to make you nervous, so please don’t worry. But my semi-illness has been a large part of my experience, so I wanted to relay it to you. I am learning about public health through visceral experience.
I’ve had a cough for 3 weeks now, and because of this cough I’ve been offered many many traditional remedies, in addition to various biomedical treatments. Nothing has cured it, but some things have helped. My favorites were probably the fresh black pepper that someone in Alecrim picked off of a tree for me. It definitely cleared my sinuses. Also, my host mother in Alecrim had to hear me cough all night, every night and she would wake up in the middle of the night to make me various remedies. The most common was basically a hot orange Julius- fresh squeezed orange juice, which was heated up and then combined with sugar and powdered milk. I never thought it would work, but it actually did. Once I got back to Salvador, I moved on to a “chazinho” (little tea) with garlic, onion, lime and some leaf/grass. It didn’t me from coughing, but I’m sure that it made me healthier somehow.
Last week we were going on house visits through a public health system program and I fainted. That was fun. We think it was probably because I’ve had some congestion in my ears that threw off my balance.
After this, my host mother decided that I no longer had a choice about the matter and that I was going to the doctor. I had kind of tried to avoid it because I didn’t think it was serious, but by this point I was so tired of coughing all through the night I was willing to do anything.
My host mother works at a public health clinic at UFBA, the federal university, so I got to have some very experiential learning about the public health care system. I got very fast and attentive care, and more medical attention that I think I’ve ever gotten. I got some radiogram of my heart (I don’t think that’s what it’s called) and an x-ray of my chest. So no one worry, we’ve ruled our TB and Pneumonia.
So now- after traditional remedies and a lot of SUS health care, I’m on antibiotics, cough syrup, and allergy medication, and at least one of them is working because I can actually sleep through the night without waking myself up coughing.
This Wednesday I'm going to Ilha de Mare, a rural island on the ocean!!!!
tchau amigos/as
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Body Notes #1
My body is so happy right now. I just had possibly my favorite dance class ever, a delicious nourishing meal, a jump in a pool, shower and pineapple jello. Really, could it get better?
We had an Afro-Brazilian dance professor come today, and she led us through some capoeira, dance of the blocos afro and samba. She was one of the most beautiful women I've every seen, with pulsing muscles and curves. She didn't speak English, but was one of the best communicators I've every met, using her body, voice, sound to let us know what we were doing. (Also, my Portuguese is rapidly improving.)
Usually when I dance, I have some level of self-doubt and self-consciousness. Even though I love to dance, in a class setting I feel like I am trying to prove myself and my title as a "dancer." At the beginning of the class I felt a little like that, because I've talked with a lot of people about dance here, but I really tried to focus on being in my own body and not compare myself to anyone. By the end, I felt completely present in my body, just moving and sweating and singing.
The fact that I am such an outsider actually helps to some extent because I feel like I have very little to prove in my capabilities, I am here to learn. When I was younger I often felt that I had to "prove" my black identity through dance. And even though dance is such an important part of black identity in Brazil, I've matured to a point where I no longer feel that pressure and since I am definitely not Brazilian, it is obvious that I will not ever have a black-Brazilian identity. With that pressure off I'm able to let go and enjoy myself much more.
This class was perfect because one of my major goals for my time here is to take dance classes and this instructor teaches a class twice a week that I plan to take and I'm thinking that she might be a great resource for my ISP. Just in all, everything feels so right. I just have a sense that I'm in the right place, at the right time.
tchau!
We had an Afro-Brazilian dance professor come today, and she led us through some capoeira, dance of the blocos afro and samba. She was one of the most beautiful women I've every seen, with pulsing muscles and curves. She didn't speak English, but was one of the best communicators I've every met, using her body, voice, sound to let us know what we were doing. (Also, my Portuguese is rapidly improving.)
Usually when I dance, I have some level of self-doubt and self-consciousness. Even though I love to dance, in a class setting I feel like I am trying to prove myself and my title as a "dancer." At the beginning of the class I felt a little like that, because I've talked with a lot of people about dance here, but I really tried to focus on being in my own body and not compare myself to anyone. By the end, I felt completely present in my body, just moving and sweating and singing.
The fact that I am such an outsider actually helps to some extent because I feel like I have very little to prove in my capabilities, I am here to learn. When I was younger I often felt that I had to "prove" my black identity through dance. And even though dance is such an important part of black identity in Brazil, I've matured to a point where I no longer feel that pressure and since I am definitely not Brazilian, it is obvious that I will not ever have a black-Brazilian identity. With that pressure off I'm able to let go and enjoy myself much more.
This class was perfect because one of my major goals for my time here is to take dance classes and this instructor teaches a class twice a week that I plan to take and I'm thinking that she might be a great resource for my ISP. Just in all, everything feels so right. I just have a sense that I'm in the right place, at the right time.
tchau!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Getting Oriented
Hey Hey Hey,
I started orientation today. I feel very orientated and I'm very excited not only about the content of our program, but also about the philosophy and methodology behind SIT. Our director is an awesome physician/psychiatrist/anthropologist/health activist. Our program it definitely going to be very busy, with lots of excursions and outings.
I've had a bit of culture shock because I went from the city center during Carnaval, which was full of music and dancing and constant stimulation, to a very nice house in the suburbs by the airport. It's kind of like a retreat. We even have a swimming pool!
But during Carnaval we were on our own schedules with lots of different people, but here we really just sit around and get oriented- except we don't really know where we are in the city.
But tomorrow in addition to my first official Portuguese class we have an afro-Brazilian dance class! I am so incredibly excited, especially because I think that I will focus my independent research on the role of dance in empowerment. Damiana, our director, was really excited about the topic and supportive.
Also, I have been eating the most delicious food here, which is a huge step up from my ramen diet at the hostel. There are so many delicious vegetables, fruits and juices. Below is a photo of the spread. Bring on the delicious Brazilian food!!!
Also, here is a link to a picasa album with the few photos I took of Carnaval
I started orientation today. I feel very orientated and I'm very excited not only about the content of our program, but also about the philosophy and methodology behind SIT. Our director is an awesome physician/psychiatrist/anthropologist/health activist. Our program it definitely going to be very busy, with lots of excursions and outings.
I've had a bit of culture shock because I went from the city center during Carnaval, which was full of music and dancing and constant stimulation, to a very nice house in the suburbs by the airport. It's kind of like a retreat. We even have a swimming pool!
But during Carnaval we were on our own schedules with lots of different people, but here we really just sit around and get oriented- except we don't really know where we are in the city.
But tomorrow in addition to my first official Portuguese class we have an afro-Brazilian dance class! I am so incredibly excited, especially because I think that I will focus my independent research on the role of dance in empowerment. Damiana, our director, was really excited about the topic and supportive.
Also, I have been eating the most delicious food here, which is a huge step up from my ramen diet at the hostel. There are so many delicious vegetables, fruits and juices. Below is a photo of the spread. Bring on the delicious Brazilian food!!!
Also, here is a link to a picasa album with the few photos I took of Carnaval
 |
| Brazil 2011 |
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Real Life Begins
Today is the first day of my real life in Brazil. It's the last day of Carnaval, but we have to miss it to go to the airport, meet our group and begin orientation. Carnaval has been a great time, and we've all had a wonderful vacation, but it will be nice to have regular meals and sleep more than 4 hours. I don't know if I have the stamina to continue the Carnaval pace of life anymore.
I'll have orientation for 5 days and then move in with my host family and begin classes on Monday.
I'll have orientation for 5 days and then move in with my host family and begin classes on Monday.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Food #1: An Introduction
Ok, since I'm obsessed with food, I thought I would give a little food blog.
This should be the first of many, because unlike most other times I travel, I haven't actually eaten that much different kinds of food because I know that once I move into my host family I will have copious amounts of delicious Brazilian food fed to me on a regular basis. So currently, I am feeding myself as cheaply as possible, with lots of Brazilian ramen nooodles, but I have tried a few things
*Caiparinha- the national drink with cachaca, lime and sugar
*Feijoada- the national dish. It's a bean and meat stew served over rice. I had it at a not so stellar restaurant (Mom, yours was better) so I'll give an update once I've tried more
*Cheese on a stick- this street food has become a staple of my diet. It is literally a rectangle of cheese, which tastes sort of like mozarella, which is on a stick, then they grill it on a little pot of coals. It's best when it's topped with herbs and this sweet molasses/honey sauce. It sounds weird, but it delicious.
*Lots and lots of fruit
*Acai- Ian, thanks for giving me the heads up about this one. It is a delicious thick smoothie made with acai and the fruit of your choice (mine is mango) and then topped with granola. You eat it with a spoon and it is the best icy treat in this weather.
Other than food I have been dancing in the streets in Carnaval and sitting on the beach during the day. I tried to take pictures, but my disposable camera was stolen 5 minutes into Carnaval on the first night, so I decided to wait until after Carnaval to start taking picture. If you want to see pictures, you should look Salvador Carnaval up online, because that's pretty much what it looks like.
Overall, I'm loving Salvador. There is literally ALWAYS beautiful music playing, people sitting in the streets and sunshine. My hostel has been really fun, full of fun travelers in addition to about 7 people who will also be on the SIT study abroad program.
That's all for now. Lots of love.
This should be the first of many, because unlike most other times I travel, I haven't actually eaten that much different kinds of food because I know that once I move into my host family I will have copious amounts of delicious Brazilian food fed to me on a regular basis. So currently, I am feeding myself as cheaply as possible, with lots of Brazilian ramen nooodles, but I have tried a few things
*Caiparinha- the national drink with cachaca, lime and sugar
*Feijoada- the national dish. It's a bean and meat stew served over rice. I had it at a not so stellar restaurant (Mom, yours was better) so I'll give an update once I've tried more
*Cheese on a stick- this street food has become a staple of my diet. It is literally a rectangle of cheese, which tastes sort of like mozarella, which is on a stick, then they grill it on a little pot of coals. It's best when it's topped with herbs and this sweet molasses/honey sauce. It sounds weird, but it delicious.
*Lots and lots of fruit
*Acai- Ian, thanks for giving me the heads up about this one. It is a delicious thick smoothie made with acai and the fruit of your choice (mine is mango) and then topped with granola. You eat it with a spoon and it is the best icy treat in this weather.
Other than food I have been dancing in the streets in Carnaval and sitting on the beach during the day. I tried to take pictures, but my disposable camera was stolen 5 minutes into Carnaval on the first night, so I decided to wait until after Carnaval to start taking picture. If you want to see pictures, you should look Salvador Carnaval up online, because that's pretty much what it looks like.
Overall, I'm loving Salvador. There is literally ALWAYS beautiful music playing, people sitting in the streets and sunshine. My hostel has been really fun, full of fun travelers in addition to about 7 people who will also be on the SIT study abroad program.
That's all for now. Lots of love.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
First things first
Hello Friends!!!!
I finally started a blog.
I will try to keep this updated. My goal is to write at least one blog a week. Hold me to it, because I will probably start slacking.
Here are a few random notes:
· So far things have been good. I arrived yesterday and was very proud of myself because I took a bus into town from the airport, and then I managed to use my limited Portuguese to ask for directions.
· My Portuguese is steadily improving. I’m sure I sound like an idiot a lot, but at least I’m trying.
· Yesterday I mostly just walked around, ate some food and had my first Caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink. It’s lime, sugar and Cachaca- a sugarcane liquor.
· I’ve met up with two women who will be on my study abroad program, and also some British students who are on their gap year. We all went to the beach today, and I got my first Brazilian sunburn.
· It’s really hot and sunny. There is music playing all the time.
· Carnaval starts tomorrow, so I don’t promise any updates for the next week, but I’ll try to give you the highlights when its over.
Tchau!
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