Newsletter the second

Hi everyone!

Well, I'm still alive and quite well. I think I spend most of my time on buses, but at least that means I'm going somewhere, right? I'm taking a portuguese class, teaching an english class (at Espaco Crianca Esperanca, but for adults), taking a couple of dance classes, and going to capoeira practice a couple of times per week (about 6 hours/week) as well as the occasional roda. Oh, and we mustn't forget the dance clubs and samba schools on weekends. As I recently mentioned to a friend, I think I've seen dawn every weekend. Since my portuguese class starts at 8am Monday mornings, my sleep schedule is a little weird. (Although really not all that different than it was at Mudd. Hmmm.)

The dancing is going quite well. I'm learning quickly, and making a lot of friends. I hear a lot of "I didn't know gringas could dance like that," and "you're actually brazilian, aren't you?" Or the oh-so-cute "you may be from the united states, but you're brazilian at heart." Awww. Cariocas are not at all humble about their cultural superiority to those from the northern hemisphere (or Sao Paulo, for that matter). They've been very welcoming to me though.

I have to mention my claim to near-fame. I recently met a professional break-dancer who used to work for Cirque du Soleil. She was one of the main characters in Mystere (the belle, for those familiar with it), and is really good. She comes from a gymnastics background, and offered to teach me some moves if I visit her in Sao Paulo where she currently lives. We went to a hip-hop festival, and now of course I want to learn that too. There is a native brazilian version of hip hop called Axe that sounds pretty cool as well, although I haven't seen it so I don't know exactly what it is.

Of course, now that I've settled down a bit, it's time for me to leave! I'm going to Santiago, Chile on Saturday. I plan to live with my great aunt there for about a month before returning to Brazil. I'll be studying the national dance called "la cueca."

Well, I hope people made it to the end this time. I tried to keep it short for all the busy folk. For those who wish to waste more time, I do sometimes update the journal on my website. (www.cs.hmc.edu/~tmartin) It also has the previous newsletter for anyone who missed it. Take care and best wishes!

Beijos,
Tara :)

PS As usual, please forward this to people I missed, and let me know if you want on or off the list (or if anyone has objections to my sending it to schmack (although really that would be absurd, wouldn't it?)).