Forever Summarizing

In November, we went to the island again and spent another lovely weekend on the beach, and this time it didn't rain!

On the boat ride on the way home.

Also in November, Aguarraz participated in a type of university battle of the bands called Unifest. They made it through the first cut, but didn’t go to the finals. It didn’t matter though because it was a lot of fun and now they’re more well-known than any of those other loser bands.

Aguarraz rocks "Sem Final."

For Salvadoran youth, it’s always a good day to have a party. Thankfully, there’s usually plenty of birthdays of people’s cousins or graduations of neighbors to keep us celebrating every weekend, but if nobody’s getting married or moving into a new house then we just throw a party anyway.

The gang at one of Murilo's two birthday parties.

As you may remember, last semester I spent one afternoon each week “teaching English” to fourth graders in an elementary school in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Salvador. It sure sounds like a charitable thing to do, but I guarantee that I gained much more from the experience than any of those kids did. In fact, the only way I can see that I benefited them at all was by postponing for one more hour and a half the time that they would play “drug-dealer” in the streets or return to a fatherless, dinnerless home. Despite my conviction that these sharp-tongued and energetic youth will soon be young parents and/or petty thieves if not drug-lords, their ten-year-old selves are charming and wonderful, though a bit unruly.

The Hungry Caterpillar was a big hit.

A rare moment of rapt attention.
Baird was probably standing on his head while juggling four man-eating panthers.

Although they seemed to hate learning English and stared indignantly at us when we asked them to repeat anything, the children ended up developing an apparent affection for us which they demonstrated with generous hugs and offering us half-eaten popsicles.

Teacher let the fools out.

Brazilians, like Americans, love excessive Christmas decorations. These hip-thrusting Santas danced to an arrocha version of “Happy Holiday.”

Summer Vacation in January

In January, Katie, Raoni, and I spent a week in a beautiful region of Bahia called Chapada Diamantina, a 6 hour bus ride from Salvador.

For most of our visit, we stayed in a town called Capão which was lousy with roaming hippies selling jewelry, wooden flutes and marijuana. From there we had access to several different trails for day hikes.

Our first hike to the famous Fumaça waterfall.

We walked all the way up that winding trail to the other side of the plateau.

The waterfall was actually all dried up when we went so we got to stand where it usually fell.

Okay, so we didn't exactly stand there.

The next day we followed a river to the waterfalls Purificação and Angélica.

Purificação.

I told you there'd be pictures of these two.

Quick Summary the Second

One of the most complicated personal issues I’ve dealt with during my study abroad has been the housing situation. Unfortunately the exchange program hasn’t been very attentive to my housing needs, but I feel that I have gained a better knowledge of Salvador’s geography as a result of my various homes in different neighborhoods. The first time, I moved because I felt abandoned and hungry,


and then I just had to bounce around for a little while before I moved for the last time to Murilo’s house where I genuinely feel as though I am part of a family complete with three greedy older brothers and two squawking parrots. I’ve been rather surprised to discover what a difference a positive home environment makes in my mood, and I’m eternally grateful to the whole family and in particular to my adoptive mother for allowing such peace of mind.

The new view.

In October the exchange program took a trip to Porto Seguro, a tourist city in the south of Bahia whose pride is the “Point of Discovery of Brazil” where the Portuguese first landed.

Famed point of discovery.

It was beautiful and we had a good time, but we were all a little disturbed by the extreme tourism and our depressing visit to the Jaqueira reservation where Pataxó individuals make their living entertaining tour groups.

Katie and I enjoy a promenade in Tourist Trap, Bahia.

Salvador is known for its cuisine, specifically the wide range of Afro-Brazilian dishes heavy on seafood and palm seed oil. On any street corner you can get an acarajé, a tasty deep-fried local specialty and it’s not hard to find a restaurant that serves muqueca, a deliciously seasoned fish stew.

My friend Nea frying some kibe.

A quick summary!

Dear readers! I sincerely apologize for my long hiatus from the blogging world and beg your undeserved forgiveness. The past four months have been a blur of schoolwork, forging friendships, visiting new places, and moving five different times. Looking at the photos I’ve taken, I realize that most of what has made my experiences so far has been the people I’ve shared them with, so you will now be obliged to meet some of these wonderful Brazilians that have been showing me the world of Salvador’s university life.

Shaddai and Matheus: Everyone's favorite gay couple!

Johanna: Crazy and wonderful Colombian!

Danna: She has the same birthday as me!

Murilo: He eats as much as me!

Not pictured: Raoni and Katie - my loves. Don't worry, there'll be plenty of pictures of them later.

Something that we all do a lot is go to see Murilo’s brother, Rodrigo, play in his band which is quickly growing in popularity with the release of its latest CD and their spot in the biggest musical festival of the summer.

Rodrigo and René playing at fancy-shmancy restaurant. Not pictured: Shaddai and Matheus not being let in because they’re wearing shorts and flip-flops.

Other favorite activities include hanging out at Raoni’s house which is rather large, has a pool and is perfect for having barbecues.

Johanna and Danna poolside.

Playing Uno with Raoni's parents.

More updates coming shortly!!