First Capoeira Class

On the second day, we got to experience Capoeira Angola for the first time.  Capoeira Angola is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music.  Casa do Jardim has a building solely for this.  The building looks like your typical dance studio with hardwood floors, benches that line the walls, and hooks and tables to hang and store the musical instruments.  Arubio (Joanne's husband and head capoeira teacher) led us in our first class.  We began by stretching.  Then, we slowly began dancing and learning the moves.  To be honest, I didn't even realize we had started the dance until I was already doing it!  HAHA!  Before we knew it, we were moving our feet and hands following Arubio's every move.  The next part was learning how to kick our feet in the air with our hands on the ground.  We swung our legs over each other one at a time between two people.  The moves primarily use upper body strength, speed, and lots of leg sweeps and actions.  Man, my arms and legs were tired!  I definitely worked up a sweat.

I guess the word capoeira comes from the word Tupi, which refers to areas of vegetation in Brazil.  I can tell this art is a big part of the Brazilian culture.  You can clearly see how much they want to learn it and hold it dear to their heart.

Next, we formed a Roda (pronounced Hoh-da), which is a circle formed be people with capoeira musical instruments.  One of the instruments is called a berimbau.  It looks like a bow (like bow and arrow).  The bow has a hallow coconut thing attached that is called a cabaca.  A coin-like object and stick are used to play different notes.  Whoever plays this instrument is the leader of the group.  They determine when to start and end the music.  The music is quite rythmical.  The other instruments involve striking hallow coconuts, metal cones, a tambourine, and a hallow bamboo with cut-out ridges.  As the roda plays, the kids practiced their capoeira in the middle.  It was such an amazing experience!  I instantly felt a part of a family and connected to everyone.  It is very true when they say Brazilians are very welcoming.  I have experienced it first-hand!

Berimbau

Roda de capoeira

A few more photos

Just wanted to share a few more photos from the past couple of days for everyone to enjoy!  Let me know your thoughts by commenting below.

First meeting with our client, Casa do Jardim

I don't think I will be the only one saying this, but today was one of the most amazing days of my life! Let me step back and start from the beginning of the day. We all met at Instituto Hartman Regueira where we were greeted by all four of the clients. They had coffee, juices, and lots of other pastries and food for us to enjoy. So yummy! I especially loved the cheese bread balls, which I think are called pao queijo. I think I ate 10 of them. Haha!

Next, we sat through a presentation from each client telling us a little about what they do. I was amazed at all the good that is going on in this world. Soon enough, Casa do Jardim spoke. During the presentation, I immediately knew this client was special and I was meant to help them in any way I could. This would be cemented by the days end.

After the presentation, Joanne and Arubio (Joanne's husband) took us out for a tour of Belo Horizonte, the Belvedere neighborhood, Praca do Popa, the Parque de Mangabeiras, Mirante Morro dos Veados, and the Jardim Canada area. So beautiful! The tour allowed us to see the entire city from up high in the hills. The city is surrounded by mountains which are easily accessible by car. I felt a little at home with the mountains being so close. There are several pictures attached for everyone's enjoyment.

I was amazed at how developed Belo Horizonte is and how Jardim Canada is not. Before we knew it, we were in a whole different world. Finally, we arrived at Casa do Jardim. Joanne, the director, gave us the full tour. We saw where the kids have class, have recess and play time, and have capoeira classes. You could tell the place was magical and something very special is going on there. I knew at that moment I was meant to be there. I was there to help.

The whole experience of meeting the children and sharing our stories with each other put me in awe. Just could not believe how amazing it felt to be there helping. I know this experience will not end when we leave and will continue to stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Arrival in Belo Horizonte

Today was arrival day and a day filled with new introductions and lots of laughs. I have been able to meet most of my team by nightfall. We started the day lost in a city new to us all. I could tell we all felt like strangers.

I went to lunch with Paddy and Eniko. That was quite an experience. We struggled quite a bit with ordering, especially when we tried to order a coke with no ice. The waiter still brought us ice. I don't blame him, though. Not like he understands English. Haha.

After Daniel arrived, I could tell we all began to follow and rely on Daniel's local knowledge of the city and, of course, his Portuguese speaking ability. I like the fact he took us directly to a bar for a drink. I don't know if he just needed a drink or he thought it would help break the ice of the team. Probably both. Anyways, it worked. Pretty soon, we were all laughing and having a good time in our new home of Belo Horozonte.

After a drink, we freshened up and proceeded to dinner. Daniel took us to a typical Minas Gerais restaurant. It was buffet style with lots of meat and starch. I kind of figured that from my Medillin, Colombia experience last year. The restaurant was called Dona Lucinha. We all ordered Caipirinha drinks (which was pretty much all Cachaca liquor). I did t like it at first, but it grew on me by the second one. I can see a few more of those in my future!

After dinner, we retreated back to the hotel and sat by the pool while we laughed some more. I can tell this next month will be full of more laughs and lots of good times. I realize how lucky I am to be here with everyone and will continue to enjoy the moments soon to come.

Until tomorrow! Boa noite!

Sunrise over Brazil

Just wanted to share a quick picture of the sunrise I saw this morning when flying into Brasilia. Absolutely gorgeous!

Home stretch

As I enter the week of departure, I can only reflect on the last three months and how we all have been anticipating this exact moment.  It feels like just yesterday when we started the three month pre-work process and met each other virtually for the first time.  Pretty soon, we will all get to meet face-to-face and truly interact with each other.  I know deep down these relationships I have been developing and will continue to develop are going to stay with me for a very long time.  All 15 of us are there for the same purpose and on the same journey.  This common bond with bring us close and heighten our experiences in all the best ways possible.

The pre-work has prepped and molded us into global leaders of the 21st century.  Our senses have been opened to issues and cultures we never really thought about before.  Soon, we will immerse ourselves into a community, city, and country unknown to us to help them solve some of their most difficult problems.  We aim to be examples and show how a world of leaders can come together to make a difference.  A community helping out another community.

Well, so long from the United States.  My journey continues and hopefully you tag along.  My next post will be from Belo Horizonte, Brazil where I will begin to share the sights, sounds, and smells of my IBM CSC experience.

I will leave you today with my favorite quote of all time and words I live by day-by-day...our 35th President of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy once said, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

#ibmcsc brazil

10 days and counting...

Hopefully, everyone has had some time to review my blog including the information on the client my team will be working with while we are in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.  Officially, there are only 10 days left before all 15 of us deploy to Brazil.  The trip and experience is as real as ever.  There has been several moments already in which I have taken a step back and was in awe that I will be living in Brazil for a month working with 15 people from 12 different countries.  The whole experience is becoming so real with everyday that passes.

With such a short time before my deployment, I have been working at tying up all the loose ends.  You don't realize all the small stuff you have to do to prepare for the trip.  Let me tell you!  From making copies of my passport and visa to making sure you are prepared for an emergency, there is so much to do.  I guarantee it will all be worth it, though.

With my deployment so close, I thought I should share a few statistics and photos of Belo Horizonte, Brazil to give you an idea of where I will be living for the next month.  I hope you enjoy!

Belo Horizonte, Brazil
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belo_Horizonte
Captial and largest city in the Brazilian state Minas Gerais located in the Southeastern region of the country.
Third largest metropolitan area in the country.
 Belo Horizonte (short names: "Belô", "Beagá", or "BH") has a population of 2,475,440 inhabitants (2010) in the city and 5,497,922 people in the official Metropolitan Area (2010).
The city is built on several hills and is completely surrounded by mountains.


Here is the city's main website: http://www.belohorizonte.mg.gov.br/
Another good website listing information on Belo Horiztonte: http://www.brazil-carnival.info/683/coisas-de-minas-belo-horizonte-brazil-travel-guide/



(Above: St Francis d’Assise, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, by Oscar Niemeyer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Saint_Francis_of_Assisi