Monday, May 14

Today I got up early to run with David. We trotted towards city center, and ran down Avenida Paulista, the main street that we explored yesterday. Today, on a Monday morning, it was filled with people heading to work, driving cars, and generally much busier than the previous day. We got ourselves a little lost just to find our way back home.

Not pictured: the jitters

In the morning lecture, we learned some basic Portuguese, then broke for lunch. A dozen of us went to a little coffee shop that had some amazing creations. It was hidden in a little alley, and we were covered by a living ceiling of green vines. I had a delicious cappuccino and a shot of espresso. Overcaffeinated, I headed out on a walk to explore a little more of our neighborhood. Me and three others walked up and down hills, then ended up at a little sliver of a park whose name translates to  'Square Harmony of the Senses'. We stimulated all of our senses, drinking beer, chatting with a Brazilian lady named Tanya, and soaking in the pretty park.

My calves are gonna get so swole walking up and down these bad boys

In the afternoon, we got a crash course in Brazilian history from one of the hosts at the hostel.  After a short break, we came back to learn about capoeira, a form of Afro-Brazilian martial arts. This art combines dancing, fighting, and music. It was originally pioneered by African slaves brought to Brazil to perform backbreaking labor. Capoeira emerged as a means of resistance that was disguised as dance. The movements simulate fighting, but are very fluid and are performed with a partner. The master who taught us didn't speak any English but told us the meanings of the motions through his student who interpreted. We all got to practice, then at the end 8 people played music while everyone else took turns dancing. It was a very cool experience to learn about a tradition that has existed for 500 years in this country. Everyone felt very lucky to be taught by a master who clearly had so much knowledge, and was respected by his students. 

Painting of slaves performing capoeira in 1825

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