Final Countdown

I have been thinking about the final days of my study abroad experience for a while, especially during low moments. I thought I would be happy and excited to go home, but I find myself feeling very conflicted because a lot of me wants to stay. I was taken in and loved by two Brazilian communities- my neighborhood and my capoeira academy. I kept telling people I would return in a couple of years, possibly for the World Cup in 2014 to avoid facing the reality that I may never see my friends and family again.

I had a lot of ups and downs during the ISP, mostly downs for the first half and ups for the second half. After the first half, (which I think is where I last left you) I quite working at Projeto Axe due to some unfortunate events and started to become what I can simply describe as a capoeira groupie. I would spend most of my days and hours with the capoeira professors- doing what they did and watching the art and beauty of capoeira. I have never been so intimately involved in such a different type of life style.

Last night was my last night with my host family in Salvador, and I decided it would be a good idea to pack and start to detach myself from my former 4 month life. First things first- take out all my braids and start to look more American than Italian. Like leaving my neighborhood, this process took a bit longer than expected because I was more attached and meshed together than I had anticipated. What I mean by that was, I had left my braids in for so long that parts of my hair had started to dread. After two hours of picking and pulling, I finally have semi-normal yet much thinner hair. Like my departure, de-braiding hurt, but I think it will be good to be clean and normal.

We are now back in the orientation house, which is about 30 minutes outside of Salvador (by car) near the airport. ISP presentations are today and tomorrow... Friday will be reflection and then we have a happy 5:00am departure on Saturday. Devin is going to meet me at the airport in Miami later that day (6PM Dev, don't forget if you are reading this!) and we will be going out to celebrate his graduation and my return. I leave at noon the next day for Montana and will start work at Mountain Sky June 15. I'm going to be a busy bee, probably starting tonight when I attempt to put my presentation together for tomorrow.

I created, produced, and directed my first documentary which will premier for the first time tomorrow. In short, the film is about Projeto Axe and how capoeira promotes health with children in the situation of the streets and children in teh favelas. I plan on passing out motion sickness pills before hand. I have watched and edited the film so much I'm not sure I will be able to watch it again tomorrow.

Ok, I got to go. Sorry this post was so scattered and disorganized. I will be HOME in 4 days. Thank you to everyone who kept up with my blog throughout the semester. I look forward to seeing my family and friends soon. Much love.