Capoeira lineage
“Who are you?” a boy asked his father. The father replied, “I am the link between you and your grandfather.” There’s so much to learn in capoeira that the …
Birthday reflections
I still can’t get over the fact that I’m 22. I’m not sure why the whole finding-myself-an-adult thing astonishes me, but it does. I think because the process of …
Capoeira Angola keywords
I’ve been making a list of the “key words” that Mestre Valmir and his students emphasize with frequency in the trainings. Here they are, as well as an explanation …
Life transitions and memories
It’s a little disconcerting being in “real life,” that is, outside the normal and well-established path of high school – college – grad school – postdoc – guaranteed job …
Capoeira with FICA-Bahia
What to say about capoeira? I am LOVING it!!! Specifically capoeira angola, and (more specifically) capoeira angola with FICA. What I feel about regional/contemporânea (the capoeira style I used …
Reflecting on the past and pondering the future
Two weeks left until my trip to Bahia!!!!!!!!! My time here has paradoxically passed both quickly and slowly, as time is fond of doing. When I arrived in September, …
Bah
Last night was one of my rare depression nights. I feel a bit better, but I’m not completely over it. I’ve gotten progressively more dissatisfied with my life here, …
Life and luxury
One thing that annoys me: when people see my digital camera, or laptop, or (this is where it especially happens) hear about my planned 2-month trip to Bahia, and …
Things I miss about the U.S.
Proximity to my family and friends. Although I’m not by any means in a super-remote or underdeveloped area – I have plenty of internet and phone access in São …
Samba de roda
Out of all the things in my life here – all the capoeira rodas, all the interesting conversations, all the great food, all the new experiences – the thing …