I said goodbye to my hosts in Florianopolis on Monday morning and I caught my flight, with connection, to Cuiab?. While in the airport, I observed people drinking beer at 9:30 (but with time zone changes, I’m?sure it was at least 5:30 where they came from). I managed to check my bag, get on the plane, and catch my connecting flight without any English. Even though there wasn’t a lot of talking required, I’m still proud of that.
I arrived and was greeted at the airport by Regina, Daniel and Alberto, who have maintained the Brazilian hospitality I’m still getting to know. Everyone seemed very excited to see me, like I was a long-lost relative. The language barrier is a little more present now than it was in Florian?polis, but still not a problem. Roberto speaks barely any English, and yet, after spending hours together, we still manage to get the important points across.
Drivers and motorcyclists here in the Cuiab??region are… brave. I’ll have to get some video, as I don’t think my words can do justice to the kind of performance I witness every time I buckle up and say a prayer.
On our first day, we went directly to my hosts’ weekend house in the country. The road there passes through several miles of national forest and preserves. The region is very dry and in a giant crater, making it very hot. On the way, we stopped by Port?o do Inferno (“Hell’s Gate”) – a very inviting place! Apparently the mountain biking in the area is very good. I hope to find out myself this coming weekend.
On Tuesday night, my hosts took me to visit a capoeira class. They asked the teacher if I could observe or participate, and he invited me to join them. The class was a great workout, and a lot of fun. I’ll be going back again tonight, despite the fact that all kinds of different muscle groups are really stiff two days later.
Brazil – Florian?polis
I spent the last weekend in Florian?polis with Fl?via, Janderson, and Juliana. It was pretty much a non-stop R&R weekend, which included highlights including capirinhas on the beach, my worst sunburn ever, and dog TV. Other than the sunburn, it was a terrific way to spend the time. I was thinking back to a guy (referenced in Tim Ferriss’ first book) who relocated to South America and owns a business running tours for foreigners. Awfully tempting. We ate at several small restaurants on various beaches, including one that we reached by a small ferry. The food was amazing everywhere we went. We went to a Japanese restaurant for dinner on my last night there, and I was shocked that neither the waiter nor chefs seemed to know what unagi is.
The Brazilian Coffee Shop, Aikido, Internet Scene
As I recover from a great aikido class last night, my body still asking “why the hell did you do that to me,” I am sipping a cappuccino (with the obligatory whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and Jimmies on top), finalizing the rest of my flights around the country for the coming month. The coffee shop I’m sitting in is playing what sounds like the greatest hits of the 80’s (“Alive and Kicking,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “Every Breath You Take,” “Pride (In the Name of Love),” etc.). Continue reading “The Brazilian Coffee Shop, Aikido, Internet Scene”
Brazil – Days 6 & 7
Yesterday was a relaxing Sunday. Continue reading “Brazil – Days 6 & 7”
Summer Wrap-up: 2010
It seems like just last week it was Memorial Day and I was at Jamie and Lisa’s for a barbeque, yesterday it was Independence Day and I was at a barbeque with Steve, and now Labor Day has come and gone in a flash. So much for summer.
I’ve been more outgoing and made more new friends this summer than I have in years past, which is excellent. I’ve been channeling my inner Tim Ferriss and killing my inner wuss. (Watch out, Kim).
My biking was rewarding. I did more road biking than mountain, which isn’t my preference, but it was certainly enjoyable, so I’m not complaining.
Aikido has been getting fun again. My sensei has informed me I will be testing for nidan next month in Boston. I am happy.
The coffee shop has been up and running for a month. Business is steady, and I am only involved on rare occasions. Paradigm is under the daily operation of a new manager, so I get to jump in and do the work that I enjoy only when I am really needed or want to be “in the way.”
One casualty of all this has been the Fresh Ubuntu Podcast. While it hasn’t been pronounced dead, it is definitely on life support. I’ve been busy. Harlem has been busy. Leftyfb is getting married in a few weeks. CafeNinja is a regular contributor to our friends at h4cked.
Finally, I will be departing for a month-long trip to Brazil in November.
And yes, I’m still on Facebook. *grumble*
Wow. Life is good.
As Young As I Feel…
Today, I define happiness as being close to twice the legal drinking age and being carded. The best part was the fact that the woman didn’t even ask at first – she just looked at me as if what she wanted was totally apparent. After a few seconds she simply said “ID?” I thanked her, paid for my beverages, and moved on.
It’s a good day.
UPDATE: After seeing this license plate, I’m even happier that I feel this way just because of the date on my driver’s license.
Shoulder Tension
Why do humans have a tendency to “get into our shoulders?” I’ve been pondering this for a while now. When I first started practicing aikido, my sensei told me that I was “very much in my head.” These days, I feel like I’ve settled down from being in my head to more “in my shoulders.” Continue reading “Shoulder Tension”
On Aikido and Injuries
If there’s one thing I’ve got experience with, it’s injuries. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert here, but with a broken clavicle, broken femur, sublexed patella, subluxed wrist bones, bursitis, and a psoas that can best be described as “too tight,” I definitely have some experience with training under less than optimal bodily conditions. Continue reading “On Aikido and Injuries”
Book Review: Everyday Enlightenment
I recently read Everyday Enlightenment: The Twelve Gateways to Personal Growth
200 Squats – I (over) Did It!
Two days ago, I pushed myself to complete the 200 squats program a week ahead of schedule. Essentially, on my week 5 exhaustion test, I did all 200.
Unfortunately, I think didn’t stick with the form after the first hundred or so, and my posture suffered. As a result, my back’s suffering too.
The moral of the story is “don’t take shortcuts.” Painful lesson learned.