Today we had class as usual from 9 am to 12 pm. After class we went to a buffet style gourmet lunch. Next we did a tour with Marcos our tour guide. First we got to visit the Soccer stadium where the World Cup was held in Brazil and also where the Olympic games will take place next month. We also visited the markets where we got to see how the meat and food was prepared and sold. We also stopped by the beach to take pictures by the shore and learn about some of the history of Salvador. We ended the day by going to a church service, we got to worship and fellowship with some of the community members. Today was a very touching and engaging experience.
Category: Steven Day
Day 6
We ate a wonderful Brazilian gourmet lunch. After lunch we had Afro Brazilian dance class where we learned some African choreography and reggae dance moves. It was an awesome experience and a great work out. The instructor is a very well known dancer here in Salvador. We danced for about two hours after getting the basic steps down. It was a little different because we didn’t dance to music from the speakers or radio, they used African drums instead. I was able to connect with some of the staff and let them here my music as well. All in all this was outstanding day.
Day 5
Today we took a boat ride to the different surrounding islands. We got a chance to swim at the beach and eat dinner ocean side. It was a very peaceful and eventful time. Later on that day we got to attend a Candomble service. We got to see how the service was put together and how they call the spirits by dancing and worshiping the African Gods. This was a very moving experience just to know that this was something that is apart of me and my ancestors. Its amazing how they preserved the culture and religions throughout slavery all the way up to this very day. One thing that I noticed is that this culture treats their woman with the up most respect. I also learned that the women in the community were the leaders and majority of the time led the way to independence.
Day 4
Today we visited some of the Favelas in Salvador, which are the ghettos or the slums within the poor urban areas. We got a chance to visit an after school program to talk to the kids and participate in some of the activities. We played drums and danced with the kids and also had a pick up soccer game. This experience was very humbling. We even plan to go back and donate soccer balls and shoes to the kids if possible. I was able to give each student a music Cd with some songs I composed as gifts. We learned how the communities survive in such poor conditions and how they still remain self sufficient despite being geographically red lined out of the nicer parts of the city. It was amazing to see the love and the unity within the community even though the conditions are not the best. The communities had gardens where they grew food for the neighborhood and for the schools. I think if we can learn a lot from some of the things that these communities are doing and implement some of the ideas back in the States.
Day 3
Day 3 we went to the countryside to see what the Braxillian slaves went through and how they survived up to this day. We learned about the comdemble religion, which is an Afro Brazilian religion made up of a mix of the different religion brought from Africa. We learned about the food from the country side and also the social injustices that went on and in some cases are still happening. We ended the day having a group dinner at this bed and breakfast mansion ran by a very influential elderly woman in the community. Her establishment opens as a restaurant occaisonally. We also learned how the slaves had to give the impression of conformity while still preserving the old religions and culture silmultaneously. Great day all in all. This has been an amazing experience and it seems to get better with each day.
Day 2
We went to the university to talk about the different programs and how they compare and relate to our study. After visiting the university we went to have buffet style lunch. We then went to historic a church and famous museum to talk about the portuguese slave trade and how that influenced and affected society in Brazil. We got to see where Michael Jackson shot one of his most influential videos.
Day 1
The experience was amazing. We checked into our hotel which is right by the beach with breathtaking view of the ocean. We had lunch at the hotel and then had a welcoming dinner put together by CIEE staff at a Brazillian steakhouse. The food was delicious. After this first day I am ready and expect to learn alot and embrace this invaluable experience.