Joe’s Week 4: Disco que se Mexe
A big hello and bem-vindo to all!
Hoping you’re all well, and I’ve even heard rumours that yesterday was sunnier in Penwortham than in Rio, so I hope people enjoyed that temporary climate swap. Well, anyway, it’s that time of the week again, and at the moment I’m thoroughly enjoying the plentiful delights of week 5 here in Rio. First, though, on the blog in all it’s glory…here’s the big moments from week 4.
-Singing! And other more random noises… This week (realtime: last week) at the project we were lucky enough to have a music teacher come in and do a couple of hours of music lessons/’choir’ practice, which is now going to be a regular event every Friday afternoon. It was great fun, kept the kids interested for a long time, and the teacher, Leila, (who is volunteering at the project to get in hours for her teaching degree) was capable and charismatic. As some of you may be unlucky enough to know, singing isn’t my best forte, but it’s something I generally enjoy, and so I muddled my way through some very fast Portuguese lyrics as best as I could, and finished smiling (if a little behind everyone else). Leila also did a couple of creative percussive excercises as a warm-up, and in one of these we had to invent any random verbal percussion sound, and repeat it over and over whilst she indicated various people to stop and start and ‘mixed’ the volume of each of us. Unfortunately, and perhaps hearing I tought drums, she was cruel enough to mix everyone else ‘out’ and leave me repeating my sound solo, before bringing everyone else back in. Hence, as was inevitable, my ridiculous ’sound’ (something like ‘Ba-ba-booo’ in a vague beatbox style), has now become notorious, and keeps being repeated by kids whenever an English lesson fails to interest them.
Frisbee Classes. As promised, the new addition to the curriculum recently got underway, and I have now taken my first Frisbee lesson with each of the kids’ three age groups. As expected, it proved very fun…although it was also difficult, both to play (the wind on the high sports court sometimes picked up to obstructive speeds), and to teach (as you can imagine, I need a whole new set of Vocab for this…some of which still needs to be invented). However, we all had a good time, and from my perspective it was good to be teaching a more active subject, compared to the more static environment of a classroom. Although I have been reflecting on the fact that when I want them to stay still and sit down they’re incredible restless…and when the time comes to running around, spontaneous bouts of laziness seem to creep up…. No, in all seriousness, a lot of the kids seem to really enjoy playing with a disc, some are picking it up with incredible ease (despite never having heard of a frisbee before) and we got into some excellent games of ‘ultimate’ (a team sport) in the latter stages of the classes. I should also mention that our four classes (including the adults) of students have also been developing well in regular English lessons.
That Ice Cream. Ok, so there’s no amzingly entertaining story here, and I may have built the hype to much…but essentially; in week 4 we went out for an ice cream that was extremely nice. And we had it right under Sugar Loaf in the Urca neighbourhood at night, at the cable car station, with the cars almost brushing our heads as they went directly overhead. We were eating at a branch of Soverte Brasil (click to see their charming website), a highly regarded gourmet company, and they didn’t disappoint with taste. I have to admit, my own choice was fairly conversative in the end, but no less delicious for it. Skating over tempation provided by the Chocolate and Tangerine, Banana and Cinamon and (various) Cheese flavours…I opted for a Coffee with Brownie cone. (There’s a great photo below that includes a rare appearence from Essex’s greatest export: Kevin).
Jardim Botanico. I’ll leave it to some photos to do most of the talking, but this week we immensely enjoyed our sojourn into Rio’s magnificent Botanical gardens. It was beautiful on both large and small scales, with towering Palm Trees and minute, fragile Orchids impressing equally. It seems like an extremely historical place, with many statues of important botanists, clear evidence of the King of Portugal nabbing the best of the world’s flora to found it, and a claim that it was on of Darwin’s first stops in South America whilst the seeds of his major theory were still germinating. The monkies (Southern Brown Howlers…you’ll probably know them as Alouatta guariba clamitans) were cute too. On behalf belalf of Laura though, I’ll issue a health and safety notice…Coke near Bees is never the best idea (don’t worry, being meliponines, obviously, they don’t sting…but are still annoying)!
Modern Sound. Following our foray into a botanists paradise was a trip to a music-lover’s one. ‘Modern Sound’, a store located in Copacobana, is an excellent refuge from city hustle and bustle, and boasts a fantastic selection of CDs from around the world, as well as a great schedule of free live music right there on the shop floor. Think of a ‘borders’ branch, but only for music, and replace Starbucks, in true Brazilian style, with a bar and a stage - and you’ve more or less got the idea. We saw the ‘Sambajazz Trio’ in action for a while (complete with an impressive drummer who, for part of the set, played the drums with one hand and the trumpet with the other), and then a Brazilian female band (though it sounds sexist…I never asked their name), who played in honour of the next day (last Sunday) being the national women’s day in Brazil, and were also top-notch. Another major bonus was the fact that I was able to pick up a copy of U2’s new album, No Line On The Horizon, there…which I have especially enjoyed listening to. In the years since their last release, I’ve become more sceptical of my traditional ‘favourite band’, and so they had it all to prove to me this time around. My opinion: it’s outstanding…some of their best work, combining some more experimental and reflective tracks with ambitious, unapologetic, classic U2.
This week’s photos:
-Me being a huge asset to Choir practice.
-Leila working with the kids in music.
-More music (with Beth and I clearly engaged in an important discussion).
-A stream in the Jardim Botanico.
-Jardim Botanico 2, including some of those Palm Trees.
-Some older archways from the Jardim.
-Laura’s impressive capture of an Orchid.
-During Ultimate Frisbee with the kids.
-The bigger kids line up for some throwing practice.
-And now it’s the turn of the excitable smaller class…
-Some sort of warm-up exercise.
-Two kids, Natasha and Rita, with a disc - posing…
-Amor
To the commentors:
Thanks for your continued support!! Hope there was some good wallpaper material in those Carnival photos. I’ve since disocvered I can’t truly describe the taste of an Ovalmaltine shake, as John knows, but put Bob’s burgers first on the list (or second, perhaps after some teaching) if you ever visit Rio. Maxine: I too will visit your flower shop when I get back, should have stolen you some orchids from the botanical gardens. Katie: it is a Brazil shirt, of course! And Polly and Joe… I will e-mail you very soon, and will discuss with Beth what’s needed to bring over! And to any friends who are interested…I am now ‘Skype-ready’, so let’s talk…
Time to go and fall asleep to Bono’s dulcet tones,
Amor and Paz,
Joe
x
March 16th, 2009 at 02:52 pm
Hello Joe!
Once again a brilliant blog! I’m beginning to suspect you’ve switched places with Michael Palin and in actual reality you’re permanently lounging on the sun kissed beaches…
I laughed aloud when you were describing the music classes – they reminded me so much of Mrs Westerbeak’s attempts to instil ‘the vibe’ within her Year 3 class. I remember those tiny carpet mats, where you had to place your allocated instrument on top of it and not touch it until ‘the music had begun’. Haha they were brilliant! What’s more, by the sounds of it the classes in Brazil are just as good. It’s also good to hear the years of South Ribble Band have been put to good use… one doubts whether you would have coped so admirably with the solo beat boxing without the experience of ‘Satin Doll’, ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ and ‘The Lion King’ under your belt.
I myself have recently attempted to learn an odd rythym or two on the ol’ drums this past term, although at the moment I am still struggling with the (not so very) easy setting on Guitar Hero. I may have to look into a few lessons when you get back… I wonder if you could suggest anyone?
Also – an apology for no commenting last week. I followed it, obviously, but I like to take time over my comments and since last week was the last of term everything was a bit hectic. It was once again a brill blog, however!
I’m also amazed how taken the kids seem to the art of Frisbee – it is genuinely impressive. Nobody seems to be pulling the old ‘tennis elbow’ trick – a personal favourite – which is a sure sign that what you’re doing with them is actually an enjoyable experience. But surely you must lose at least half of the discs over the edge of the sports compound?
As for the ice cream, well what can one say. It seems you are truly living in a natural paradise. I personally would have had to have gone for the Cheese flavour – a once in a lifetime experience, surely! Still, your choice does sound tantalising – and a brownie cone did you say? Do they do mail order?
The botanical gardens sound incredible. Keen watchers of ‘Around The World In 80 Gardens’ will agree with me that the South American arm of the journey was undoubtedly the most spectacular, the Amazon being host to the greatest variety of fauna and flora to be found anywhere in the world. I went round Oxford’s ‘botanical garden of blooming beauty’ a few weeks ago but as you would guess at this time of year it was slightly below par.
And ah, I suppose one would be forgiven for the erring of ways when one is confronted with such a musically exhilarating experience as a Brazilian music haven. I mean, to be clear, it’s not because U2 are derivative and uninteresting… oh sorry actually it is.
Ah well. Nonetheless, the music shop sounds absolutely fantastic! It brings home the impression I get of Brazil that everything is much more lively and upbeat culturally. I mean, you go into our music stores here and you’re lucky if they’ve got a CD on, never mind a live band! You’ll have to show HMV a bit of your ‘Ba-ba-booo’ when you get back – show them how it’s done!
Hope you continue to have a great time and looking forward immensely to the next instalment!
Jake
x
P.S. The coveted award of ‘Jake’s Background Picture’ goes this week to ‘During Ultimate Frisbee with the Kids’ – but it was certainly a close contest! It was also great to see a picture of ‘The Essex lad - Kev!’
P.P.S. I have downloaded Skype! Let’s Skype away, my friend!
March 16th, 2009 at 08:26 pm
Hey Joe!
Superb blog once again! Another thriving week of fun… and the pictures continue to be simply gasp-inducing!
The singing lesson sounds like immense fun, and the idea of “Ba-ba-booo” being chanted by the some of the more cheeky class members when they become tired of the English is truly hilarious! They clearly possess a good sense of humour. I look forward to hearing a performance of this rhythm during a future Skype session!
Great work with the frisbee classes… the pics are great (glad to see Natasha & Rita proving that Brazilian females love to pose just as much as their British equivalents!)… brings back all the memories from coaching at the leisure centre. I hope you introduce them to the much loved ‘Dodge The Superdisc’, if you can get your hands on a Superdisc that is.
Soverte Brasil sounds like a mounthwatering experience… your flavour being a remarkably Mocha-esque combination indeed! I’m interested to hear what the various varieties of Cheese flavour were… Red Leicester, Stilton, Wensleydale, Edam perhaps?
Jardim Botanico looks super-spectacular! Interesting to hear about its historical influences, and to see that it also scored cute-factor points with the Alouatta guariba clamitans… and lets just hope those Meliponines don’t get anywhere near guarana! Based on Frances’ interesting discoverey about the caffeine content, they would become rather hyper indeed!
Glad to hear your getting your dose of U2 out there… even if it is interspersed with a bit of the Sambajazz Trio (an immense band name I have to say)!
Hope the trip continues to be as wonderful as it has so far! Can’t wait for Week 5’s B to the Log!
Over & Out,
John
PS. I’d like to offer a huge thank you to all those who voted for me in UCLAN’s Got Talent… I found out today that I have successfully made the live final (last 8 acts) on March 31st! I’ll be sure to keep you all updated of how it goes!
March 16th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Hello Joe :]
I’m in a bit of a rush as the battery is going to die any second, so this will only be a short message, especially compared to Jakes.
Firstly, yey to your tshirt :]
Secondly, coffee icecream?! Whaaattt?! Thats almost as bad as cheese!! Im do like the sound of brownie icecream though. The best ice cream has to be from Lourdes though…you cant go wrong with parma violet flavour.
Thirdly, I think i’ve added you on skype. It’ll come up with Oliver Lee though i think, as i’ve not actually got an account…sooooo hopefully it will work as im not sure exactly what to do!!
Speak soon, hopefully!!
Love Katie
xxxxxx
(for some reason i was going to put over and out, but then i realised john had put it….thats weird) :]
March 17th, 2009 at 03:02 pm
Hi Son
Well done on another great week! I am the proudest mum on earth! You are my shining star! The ‘music’ lessons really made me laugh recalling two significant ‘events’ in your musical life to date! Firstly the weekly ‘rhythm’ classes I took you to at the Leisure Centre when you were aged 3…(you loved them!) and our happy trip not that many years ago to Ireland when we attended that Saturday afternoon workshop on body percussion..remember that?! You see..you are an expert really! And of course having Mrs. Westerbeek’s lessons as Jake said!
So glad the Frisbee’s are coming in handy and its good that you are having some exercise to ‘work off’ the ice cream etc! Maybe you can bring some ideas back for our trips to ‘Tootsies’!! If they haven’t closed down without us by mid May!
Fab photos too..keep them coming please!
Meanwhile, back home we are all ‘rooting’ for John..so proud of him too! Go John!
March 18th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Hi Joe
I hope I am doing this right but if not I’m sure I will soon find out. I have enjoyed reading your blog as it brings the whole experience alive and reminds me of my time in RIO last year. I am so jealous that I am here and you are there. Seeing the photos of the children is great because I recognise them and can see how they have changed since I came home. It sounds like you and Laura are making the most of your time there and giving so much back to the children. I would love to have seen them playing frisbee. Anyway keep up the blogging as it is really good and say hi to Beth for me
March 19th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Yo to the three Lions!
I hope you are well
Sorvete Ice Cream; wow definitely a step up from Lyons Made; put me down for a Linha Especial Caramelo Crocante.
I can’t think of a more appropriate sport for the Brazilians to play than Frisbee; if they take to it like their footballing skills then watch out Tommy, Fabio, Clay et al. With an agent stylist and publicist they could soon become superstars.
Keep those photos coming Laura/Jose; great wallpapers
‘Modern Sound’ is perhaps an unusual name to describe a place where you purchased the latest CD from a Band that has straddled the (McCrave) generations (I still remember ‘bopping’ to ‘I will Follow’ at Keel, Achill Island in 1980 achill247.com/ pictures / keelstrand1.html
Ba-Ba-Booo : ah yes I presume you were subtly plugging those well know graphic artists and gift company from Thailand. Don’t forget to visit their website at ba ba booo .com, and if any of you readers are stuck for a Mothers Day gift (22nd March in the UK) then the ‘Happy Faces Tote Bag’ could be just the thing – ba ba booo .com / products.
Love Dad
March 19th, 2009 at 09:57 pm
Yo Bro!
Great blog as always, and great photos too! I particularly enjoyed the botancial gardens one - some of the scenes looked really surreal, it must have been so cool! The ice cream sounds brilliant and would have been very suitable today with the random glorious sun we had! The whole of Newman decended to the hill as expected, it was great fun!
Bababoo had me in stiches and i could just imagine you grooving along to the beat with dangerous enthusiasm :)! I have been telling all my friends that you have added frisbee classes to the curriculum and they all seem keen to try and work it into AS maths somehow. We are working on that one. As i was telling you over email i am also loving NLOTH and would reccomend it to everyone on the blog to take a listen!
I have no idea what i was voting for John but i voted anyway so well done for getting through! Looking forward to blog five as always.
tchau!
P.S. Me and my guitar are nearly best friends
March 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 am
Hey Joe
sorry for the extreme delay with comments.
I greatly enjoyed reading how you have become the new Thierry Henry, swapping the ever popular ‘va va voom’ with your own ‘Ba- Ba- Boo’. Also I would greatly like to here the singing haha.
The ice cream sounds amazing, im sure a big change to the general ben & Jerrys, and im sure the coffee with brownie flavour was still much better than we can imagine. however i would always go for coconut myself.
on the whole, great blog, and keep up the good work. oh and the pictures of the botancial gardens look amazing, however i’m sure they look ten times as stunning in real life.
oh and great choice in CD, bought it for Andrea as a mothers day present (although I must admit, vested interest helped sway my money). look forward to reading the next blog.
Kyle
March 23rd, 2009 at 09:32 pm
Hi Joe,
Realy sorry for the lack of commenting recently. But I must assure you I HAVE been keeping up to date with the blogs. And as per usual, they have been up to the skyscraping standards
To be honest, I can’t really remember what was written on the last two blogs, but I have literally just refreshed my knowledge by having a gander at your pics…Amazing. I even expressed my true appreciation by texting (I believe it is a marvelous new fad.everyone is joining in now…) Jake. They capture the moment perfectly, and will be a good momentum when you get home so that you can have a good flic through when you realise that Penwortham isn’t as warm as Rio on a regular basis.
So yes, looking forward to your next blog, no doubt it will be soon!!
Jen xxx
March 23rd, 2009 at 09:45 pm
Hi Joe
As always the blog is a great read
Joe - please keep an eye out the for the world cup qualifiers - Brazil are playing two games at the end of March. I would love to hear what the Brazilian press are saying about the ’selecao’ do Brasil
Keep up the good work. Keep me informed about your travel plans to the North East
Miguel & Totinha are looking forward to meeting you. You will be teaching out in the bush for a couple of weeks in a place called Lagoa Grande.
Um grande abraco para voce e Laura
Joe H