As of this post, we have approximately 56 hours of camp left. 56. Not very much at all.
We have a mix of emotions…I think we are all ready to see our families and sleep in our beds. But leaving here will be very difficult. We have lifelong friends, a schedule that does not include school or work, and summertime in Brazil.
The friends we have made and the experiences we have had here have challenged us and changed us.
I´m not sure how much time to post I will have in the next 56 hours. But expect some more posts after we return home. We have lots more stories to tell!
And please remember to be patient with us when we do get home. We love you all, but will probably be missing our new soulmates at the same time.
See you soon!
One of the many great things about our village is how much energy the staff puts into showing us Brazilian culture. This week, we had a capoeira group come to the camp and perform.
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian dance performed by slaves as a way to practice martial arts without their owners knowing. It´s a mixture of dance moves and fighting moves. The group that came to meet the Footprint Village consists of children who are very poor. This group teaches them skills – capoeira and percussion instruments – to help them get out of severe poverty.
Even Thomas tried it!
After the demonstration of capoeira, music, acrobatics and folk tales, we ate lunch together. And then it was the Footprinters´turns to share our culture! Each delegation gave a short presentation from their own country and showed where we came from on a map.
It was an amazing opportunity and a very fun day!
Just wanted to let all of our loyal readers know that I´ve been having trouble getting pictures uploaded, hence the slow down in postings. That, combined with a very busy schedule, makes updating difficult.
Tomorrow is Shopping Day, and Sunday is Open Day for the Sao Paulo chapter. We are less than one week from the end of camp! And we had a VERY successful national night on Wednesday – I hope to post pictures and details soon.
Boa noite!
Our latest national night was a fun event from Peru and Costa Rica!
We started with the Perutica Fair (Tica is a word for a Costa Rican person). We played musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey, jump rope, and a game with a very large elastic band that you jump through.
Peru shared a delicious dish at lunch today – pastel de papas – made from potatoes and cheese. We also got to see two dances. One is traditionally done before a marriage or wedding proposal and the other is a harvest dance.
Peru Delegation and the Staff
Costa Rica shared snacks – a sweet snack made from guava and condensed milk – and their national dance as well.
We ended with a small dance party!
Muchas gracias, Peru and Costa Rica.
So…you may be wondering…are we really making new friends?
Here´s some evidence for you!
We trust them to lead us blindfolded.
We put our heads together to work as a team.
We plan and make decisions about our camp.
Today we went on an excursion into Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo is one of the biggest cities in the world!
We visited Independence Park, which commemorates Brazil´s independence from Portugal. It also hosts the mausoleum for Dom Pedro, the liberator of Brazil.
The park is beautiful.
We had some activities and a short skit on the history of Brazil´s independence.
The official cast of the traveling version of "Dom Pedro Liberates Brazil"
We also experienced another of Sao Paulo´s famous things – really bad traffic!
For the weekend!
The kids will be spending the weekend with a Brazilian host family. Another great opportunity to see some of Sao Paulo and experience Brazilian culture!
Darci will be spending the weekend with Mari from Costa Rica, Delaney will be chilling with Mili from Argentina, Will is off with Hector from Peru, and Thomas is partnered with Matteo from Argentina.
Leah will be hitting the beach this weekend with the other leaders, JCs, and staff to relax and plan the second half of the camp!
We will most likely be offline until Monday, so happy weekend to all!
Yesterday, we had two national activities – Guatemala and Australia!
Australia let us write a story using Aboriginal symbols and gave a clinic on how to play Australian football. The Australian football is similar in shape to the American football, but is much bouncier. We also tried Vegemite and learned a song and a dance.
The Crocodile Hunter, an Aboriginal person, a beach lifeguard, an Australian football player, and a kangaroo!
Thanks Mates, for a great day!
Guatemala started their activities with Loteria, a Bingo game with Spanish words. Later that evening, we had pinatas, a video and an amazing traditional dance. And one of the best parts – frozen chocolate covered bananas for dessert!
Thomas trying to hit the pinata
Muchas gracias, Guatemala!
So far, we have had two national night presentations. National nights are our opportunities to show a little bit about our different countries – what we eat, what we do, who we are.
Argentina was the first national night.
(The Tango)
We ate empanadas filled with beef, peppers, onions, and egg. Darci liked them so much she ate 6! We also saw two traditional Argentinian dances, including the tango. Gracias, Argentina, for a great night!
France was next.
(Lyon´s Salade)
We ate a Lyonnaise meal, went on a scavenger hunt to learn about France (the current capital is Paris, the old capital was Lyon, the higest mountain in France is Mont Blanc, and we know more French words than we thought we did!) Merci beaucoup, France, for a wonderful evening!
