I haven’t written this week (after pelting you with a million posts last week) because most of what we’ve been doing is working and having Spanish lessons – a total of 24 hours of Spanish lessons in fact. We decided yesterday, after Eric got caught not doing his homework AGAIN, that we would cut down to just three days a week. This way we’ll have time to study and do homework on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I think it’s a good idea.
Since Eric has been doing a good job of running, I finally got out to the pool and, 85 year old woman that I am, started running laps in the pool. Even though it’s a bazillion degrees outside, the water is FREEZING cold. I don’t understand how that works. I know that none of you feel sorry for me, and I wouldn’t either if I were you. That’s fair. It’s fun though. No one seems to use the pool, so I’ve had it all to myself. I’m wondering if there is such thing as a waterproof iPod (I know, it’s called a waterproof iPhone case…jeez, who has an iPod anymore?). This is the type of brilliant thought I have on my “runs.”
On an evening stroll along the Cinta Costera.
I also found a Capoeira group that meets maybe two blocks from our apartment in a gazebo (I guess that’s what you’d call it) along the Cinta Costera. What is Capoeira, you ask? Good question. I’ll turn to wiki for this one: “Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music, and is sometimes referred to as a game. It was developed in Brazil mainly by African descendants with native Brazilian influences . . . . It is known for quick and complex moves, using mainly power, speed, and leverage for a wide variety of kicks, spins, and highly mobile techniques.” In two words I would call it “incredible” and “hard.” If you want to see an example of what it looks like, click here for a video. The video is 6 min long, but you only need to watch for a few seconds to get the idea.
I took one class in Durham maybe 7 years ago and could barely walk for a week afterwards. I never went back b/c I was so embarrassed by the idea of showing up so weak and broken for the second class. I just figured it was something that I could never do. I’m not saying that won’t happen again. I’m hoping it won’t, but as an ENFP (Myers-Briggs, anyone?), I’m not known for sticking things out for long. I gotta say, though, the idea of it is stuck deep in my mind.
I’m getting ahead of myself…
So for some reason I decided to search for a Capoeira group in Panama. As fate would have it and as I already said, I can see the place where they meet from our balcony. No excuse for not trying it out. After emailing the contact guy, nicknamed “Árabe,” or “Arab,” (the sense of humor and ideals of racism are completely different here, but that’s another post), I was assured that new folks were welcome. As luck would have it, Spanish class was cancelled for Thursday, so Eric was able to walk down to the gazebo/pavillion thing with me at 6 pm.
The scariest part was probably walking up to a group of about 8 people all gathered, greeting each other with hugs, talking, and saying (in Spanish, of course), “Hi, I’m Julie. I emailed Árabe the other day about coming to class today.” They were all immediately really nice and inviting. I was introduced around, and I chatted a little with folks until class started.
*I’ll go ahead and warn you that the photos from this class are horribly fuzzy. Just know that I’m the one in the white tank top and black capri pants. I asked Eric if he would take some pictures with his phone, but he told me he felt weird about it. Only after we got home did he tell me he had taken all of these! I was so excited to have them, even if they are super fuzzy.
Árabe had warned me that it would be a bit of a strange class since they were preparing for a presentation at a big commerce exposition at a convention center in town the following night (last night, Friday the 13th). We started out with some basic stretching. We then moved into maybe 40 minutes of crossing from one side of the building to the other in various ways – first on hands and feet like a monkey, then crab-walking, then eventually building up to doing the “ginga,” the basic movement in capoeira, and into some kicks, blocks, handstands, and cartwheels. Obviously I didn’t succeed at all the moves. Actually I had to sit a few of them out because I was absolutely exhausted and overheated.
Throughout all of this, however, everyone was really encouraging. Some people told me they were impressed that I was doing so well on my first night. Others told me it was fine to take breaks. Others recommended that I stretch and walk around a little. When I jumped back in to try difficult moves that I knew I’d look ridiculous trying, the more advanced folks would come to the back of the line beside me, show me again how it was done, and encourage me along. Overall, I was amazed at what a wonderful group of people they were.
Next, they practiced for their presentation. This part was incredible.
The whole group – Cordao de Ouro Panama
I wish I could upload the video I took of them here, but it’s too big a file. I guess I should put it on youtube or something. This one girl from DC who has lived in Panama for two years is just incredible. You should see her aerials and flips and all kinds of crazy stuff.
After they practiced, they gathered in a circle and invited me to join them. I soon realized they were having a roda, which is when everyone stands in a circle singing, clapping, some playing instruments, while people take turns playing capoeira inside the circle. All the songs are in Portuguese, so I did a lot of clapping. I also studied the movements, trying to figure out what I might possibly be able to do someday. It’s just an amazing thing to be a part of (a roda, that is), even if just for one night, even if you’re just clapping and watching.
After a while, I realized that everyone had taken their turn except for me. I wasn’t sure whether I would be exempt, given that I didn’t know anything, or if I would called upon to give it a try, as a sort of initiation. As it turns out, it was the latter. One of the guys I had chatted with a bit, named Giovanny, offered himself up as a partner, but then another guy, I think named Moíses, took his place, I think because he was a more senior guy and was acting as a teacher for me. It was interesting – I would normally be really embarrassed because I had no idea what to do – but I at least knew how to ginga, and we had practiced a few kicks and a block. So I smiled through it, gave things a try, and just gave in to the facts that 1) everyone knew it was my first time, and 2) each of them had a first time too. Moíses was also very helpful in that he would duck, thereby suggesting that I kick, or he would pat his leg, suggesting that he was going to kick and I should duck. Before I knew it, it was over, and I had survived. I thanked Moíses later, and he gave me a big smile and a kiss on the cheek. He seemed proud that I gave it a go.
So grateful that Eric got these shots.
All in all, an absolutely exhausting, but very rewarding first day. I am scared to post this and have you all read it because I’m afraid that I won’t last long. Most of y’all know that I tend to get really excited about things….for a few days. I hope I can stick with this one. It’s a matter of reminding myself that I’m not a master of this. I can sit down or take a break when I need to. It’s okay that I can’t do amazing moves. It’s okay that my ginga looks funny. It’s okay that I will likely get heat stroke during the first 15 min of one of the practices. I just need to not let my pride get the best of me.
We went to the presentation last night to support them and continue to try to make friends, but this has already been a long post, so I’ll save that for another day. I took about 400 photos! I’ve narrowed them down to 235, but I’m going to keep cutting it down before I hand them a flash drive of a bazillion pictures. And don’t worry, I’ll only post a few here!
Also GO HEELS!!!!!!!!!!
