We’ve been here in Arraial for over 6 weeks now, and I think we’ve been lucky to have what I think are authentic Brazilian experiences. Carnaval. The big-party-all-night-carnaval in Porto Seguro (the neighboring “big” town) has major music acts filling the streets from 11pm to sunrise. We tried to go but the boys just couldn’t stay up that late, but we could hear the music pretty loudly in our home miles away. All night. The carnaval in Arraial D’Ajuda, was a little more tame with just a few blocos (groups of people dancing with some kind of music) marching through town each night. The capoeira school is connected to the Afro Bloco, so our family joined in and bought costumes and African-danced down the street in front of a cadre and women drummers. (You can see a bit of video of this on Ezra’s video- Episode 3).  For April and I both, this was one of the highlights of our time here. The energy, the drumming, the movement, the town filling the sidewalks to enjoy it all. This felt like one of the most genuine Brazilian experiences we’ve had thus far.

As for my training, in the capoeira classes people smile at me and chat with me now. There are many regular students that are happy to partner up with me. A big difference from my first few weeks here. I also feel like I’ve had a “Karate Kid” turn in my training. After practicing regularly and feeling like nothing was changing drastically, all of the sudden my playing in the roda is completely different. I have much more vocabulary and I feel like I am reacting more to the other person playing. I still have so much to learn, though, but I’m having so much more fun now. Recently, when the Mestre subbed in for his wife in the morning classes, he put me in the front row and had me start the roda.

Other real-Brazilian experiences:

• Our kids are only in school a few hours a day, like the Brazilian kids who go to school from 1-5pm.
• When we walk through town in the evening we get to stop many times to say “Oi!” and chat with friends.
• Fresh agua de coco (coconut water) after capoeira class. 
• We have a fairly busy social life. Our Brazilian friends Maira and Diego made us a wonderful vegetarian-version of acarajé. A fried bean fritter (a Brazilian falafel) that usually involves shrimp. Maira made it with a side of ocra and veggies for us.

• My accent must not be too bad. I’m regularly mistaken for a Spanish-speaking South American and get the occasional, “Gracias!” That could just be because there are almost no Americans here, though.
• Driving a stick car for an hour on a dirt road. Not the most enjoyable of experiences.

• Ezra hasn’t worn a shirt in over a month. Really. I’m not exaggerating.

• Our most Brazilian moment thus far: We made a nice dinner for some Brazilian friends who were coming over for dinner at 7pm. They texted to cancel at 7:45pm.

• Proof of the transformation: I walked down the block in just my sungha and havaianas to buy eggs at the convenience store. Yes, I’m that guy now. (No, no picture for you to make fun of me. Just use your imagination.)

Photo highlights: