Helpful, educational, and entertaining Just got here March 29 from U.S. I am living with a lady friend who I met here about 18 years ago. She is a sociology professor at the Federal University here. If you are still in town, can you forward me an E-mail or would you like to meet. (While I am an older guy, I don\'t own a phone with any videos currently downloaded). Great writing and very helpful. Thanks.
bjj keeps me young 52 isnt ancient,but i am the oldest student at the school.fortunately,i have been an athlete all my life.wrestling in high school,various stand up martial arts and 1 year of sambo.snowboarding racquetball,weight lifting,running,etc...,
but i have to say bjj has given me a renewed lease on life,there is so much to learn,and it is the best workout.i lost about 15 # since i started,and am almost always sparring younger,stronger opponants.i watch dvds ,read books,train ginastica,and flow fit,and try to get at least 3 classes a week in.i beleine bjj is a art where skill and technique,can win out over size,and strength,although size,strength,and technique is probably the way to go.in closing anyone looking for a physical,and mental workout may want to try bjj
Interesting take.... Well...what a read! First of all may I just say that in terms of structure this is your best blog yet. VERY impressive. My favourite enjambment being:
A serial killer is infamous. A drug trafficker is feared. A man simply surviving in subhuman conditions is…
Not my problem?
It was a little tricky to understand in some places because there was no initial explanation of what a flavela actually is...or it's equivalent, but reading on through, I gathered that it's just a term for a slum? Also I don't know what a 3.5 average is in terms of UK grading...is that like a A* at GCSE or something? Also would of been nice to see a map so I could place where Barrio da Paz is within Salvador. Of course all this is subjective and due to my ignorance!
It seems like you put a lot of thought into this one and it is subjective without being too opinionated which is always tricky to do so hats off. Also interested to know how the people of Barrio da Paz actually feel about the whole situation. Do they care about not having 'a voice' or have they just accepted that their voice will not be heard?
So many questions! Feel free to send me a further explanation! haha.
But really well done- amazing blog I loved reading it.
S x
Spanish Hi Nikki,
Portuguese is great now actually, people have even started to tell me that they initially thought I was Brazilian because of my accent. A compliment I don´t think I heard very much in Spain! Having said that, I have been here a lot longer. Forgotten so much Spanish it is unreal and I do not even want to think about Arabic! I assume you are finishing now right?
x
x
Chicken etc Hi Son. Loved the story of lunch. Maybe you could have a go at a BBQ next weekend? Just remember to bash the rump steak if you do! Did Ahanna enjoy his stay with you? I am still doing my horse riding; although Mum is recuperating and so hasn't been joining me... Look forward to catching up with Ahanna and realise it's now four weeks until we arrive in Salvador. xx Dad
i am utterly clueless when it comes to all this martial arts malarkey but it was an interesting read as always! i learn something new every time i read one of your blog entries! glad you're keeping fit and healthy, and even expanding your musical horizons...It must be even more complicated in Portuguese but i'm sure that you are more than used to the language by now..have you forgotten all your spanish or are you still managing to keep it up?? Keep enjoying every moment and get well soon from your man flu you big wimp haha!lots of lovexxxxxxxxxx
Just love your blog :) Hi! I’m a big fan of yours. I like that you write very funny and honest about things. I’m hoping that after some while I’ll also be able to go to Brazil. These blogs about Brazil are seducing me. :D Can you, please, write sometime more about Brazilian people? I’m very interested how they are.
I wish you to get better soon and an amazing, uncontrollable inspiration to write! :D
badman mate your going to have to teach me some of this stuff when you get back. i keep reading about BJJ on training forums but have never known what it was, and for some reason, have been to lazy to google, so thanks for clearing that up! glad the trainings going well. seems like a bloody difficult art to master, but i guess thats good in a way. what are your opponents/ training partners like? do they start early over there or are there people of comparitive age/size? as the title says, youre a badman and will be my official body guard on your return. take it easy sir
seems a serious effort in south Africa we shoot people who try to grapple us to the floor in a form known as African Shooting Style (ASS) - speaking of which, why are you so keen on rolling around on the floor tapping men - is there any more you'd like to share young Wilberforce?
Hands Up in the Air Hands up in the air, well done! Great blog, you don't need to apologise for the gaps between posts though! If I was in Brazil trust me I wouldn't be at my laptop much haha. Loved the way you linked it giving UK examples, and the metaphor of Bloco being like a choc ice from arial view made it clearer. Really Good blog hun! :) x
Congrats Well, man, when I decided to take a look at your blog, and I saw that you had writen about the "Carnaval of Salvador", I already knew you had writen something good, telling people from UK and even the rest of the world a true version about this event. Of course, reading your text is not enough to know all and well about this old brazilian party, but at least you are influencing foreign people to read more about it.
Man, you are already my brother forever, whatever you we are in the future, you can count on me for that I can help you. And I hope this from you as well.
God Bless You!
hug,
João.
As always, such a great read! Thoroughly entertaining. Just moved to Ottawa yesterday and your adventures are encouraging me to go have my own in a brand new city.
Quality comment Marquinho
Very well put. I agree regarding Carnaval aparthied. My first year here I went to the final samba school competition (what people usually understand to be "Carnaval") on my own, and had to walk through hair raisingly dodgy back alleys and favela to find an entrance. This year I went as a client of an investment bank - the only poor people near me were giving me beer. Might as well have been a different Carnaval.
Brazilians are funny about apathied though. They seem ok with it provided it is not legislated. If it is not law, it does not exist.
Also, you missed out the part about lots of scantily clad Brazilian women snogging anyone who wanders the bloco with their mouth open...
New Thoughts from Abroad Hi Son
I am amazed that you've had so few readers. The quality of your prose continues to develop and I am sure you should feel confident about pursuing some form of reportage in the years to come. Keep up the good work. I am hoping to book our flights this week. It would have been underway already, but the flu has knocked me back an entire week.
finger on the pulse A fine blog Marc. It is very encouraging to find that you are learning lasting lessons about the significance of having your "finger on the pulse" in all that you do in life. Your aptitude for language clearly gives you the opportunity to connect so meaningfully with the local people but it also takes a certain desire and humanity to feel as you do? This is so uplifting and believe it could be down to your Catholic teaching. Continue to be interested in your fellow human beings. I salute you.
Ahem Well, fortunately I have no stories to match either of these; I did go to a queer bar in Rio at Carnaval with a queer mate who was visiting from London. So in most parts of the world you can be straight and go to a gay bar. In Rio de Janeiro it is not possible, unless you are the kind of straight guy who can be comfortable with other men constantly subjecting you to unsolicited pipi touches...
Missing you from Catford! Hi Marc,
wow what a time yo are having love, glad to hear though that you are a little more organised on the living situation, are you really? Was also pleased to hear that you are doing some teaching and i suppose you are really making a difference to some childrens lives. Surfing lessons as well hey, at least you can think about a job in Cornwall over the holidays when you get back! Was interested to hear about your Candomble ritual, sounds spooky and yet I want to hear more about it! I will read up more about the Candomble cult and other interesting facts I have never heard about it before it sounds facinating. Other than your varied and interesting time in Brasil we are doing much the same, school and activities etc, I am now trying to do my learning support so spend one day at St. Dunstans with year 3 and one day at another state primary school doing mentoring and one day at college, this is enough to drive me crazy with everything else , but enjoying it and getting on, Jake has start trampolining and drumming lessons and he enjoys both like mad, Abby is due to leave for school journey for a week in a couple weeks time and can't wait, she has already told us she will not under any circumstances be attempting the zip line! Lony has an inset day on Wed so is off with her mates to Thorpe Park, they are making their own travel arrangements etc so lets see how they go! Big mum is here with me and sends her love and says please be careful and she also hopes you are getting enough to eat!!! Will send some photos soon, send me your skype address we can call you then, be good love and miss you - all in Catfordshire! xx
Graduate from the University of Leeds and King's College London . Currently working in investment banking back home in the UK with the occasional foray into the unknown.... full info
Mike Bass
non-member comment
Helpful, educational, and entertaining
Just got here March 29 from U.S. I am living with a lady friend who I met here about 18 years ago. She is a sociology professor at the Federal University here. If you are still in town, can you forward me an E-mail or would you like to meet. (While I am an older guy, I don\'t own a phone with any videos currently downloaded). Great writing and very helpful. Thanks.