A love story
At 25, she was an auburn-haired beauty: slim, athletic, and an excellent dancer. She had no shortage of admirers. But on this particular Saturday evening she found herself dateless; …
Changing plans
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from capoeira is how to modify my rolê when life switches up directions on its rabo-de-arraia. Or in other words: sometimes …
De volta (Back)
This is going to be much harder than I thought. It’s not about reverse culture shock – objectively musing about how tough it is to eat dinner at …
Two worlds
It’s funny being fluent in a second language. I’ve hit the point where Bahians sometimes hesitate because they’re not sure whether to ask me what part of Brazil or …
Last days
Man, the time passes quickly here in Bahia; suddenly my flight to the U.S. is less than two weeks away. Now that the date is so close, I find …
Capoeira, ice skating, and the power of the “exotic”
I had an amusing moment of exaggeration yesterday. For a long time I’ve kind of puzzled at the fact that foreigners go wild over capoeira, practice and research it …
What I won’t miss about Bahia and what will be hard to get used to in the U.S.
Things I won’t miss about Bahia The attention I constantly and inevitably attract here as a young white woman. I can’t go anywhere without being approached, harassed, or commented …
Things I want to do when I go home
SEE FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!! Vai ser tão bom matar a saudade! To see people I’ve been separated from for over a year, to talk to them face-to-face and not …
Uruguay
My trip to Montevideo was uneventful and not terribly exciting. The city is small – half the size of Salvador – and tranquil; there was not much going on …
One year in Brazil
As of today, I’ve been in Brazil for one full year – unbelievable. It’s funny… yesterday mom asked me to make a list of things I want to do …