Intercultural Cafe

Every month one of the programs at Universidade Estudual de Londrina is called Intercultural Cafe. This brings together students of different nationalities that are studying on campus and gives us the opportunity to connect and learn from each other. This past month's theme was Festa Junina, which consisted on a small history lesson, a game of Kahoot to test our knowledge, and attempting to dance the qaudrillo. Enjoy our crazy attempt!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0N9ZndwgKc&t=21s

Festa Junina Celebrations

Normally when people think of Brasil they think of the month long party Carnaval, but the underrated little brother to that celebration is Festa Junina. This month long holiday honors three saints, and even spills into July to create Festa Julina. The most authentic experience I could have asked for was at a chakara with 150 people, more food than I could imagine eating, a mechanical bull, and the quadrilo (square dancing in sorts). The traditional wear is to dress as a caipira, farmer, in plaid, dresses, braids, and mustaches. Although I've gone to a few Festa Junina events, this by far was my favorite. 

Cultural Experiences Hit You When You Least Expect Them- Downtown Band

As Mario and I traversed through Centro today, we heard drums coming towards our store and getting louder. I was frustrated and tired while waiting for the Vivo employee to try and figure out how to set me up on a plan. By this time, it was about an hour and twenty minutes into waiting at the desk as she silently worked, and I was getting cranky. We heard the drums coming down the street and went out to adventure and here the source. The mixture of dancing and drum playing from these men and women was beautiful. They kept so in sync and they mixed in Bachata dancing as the beats began. Although I wasn’t happy to be waiting in a phone store, I don’t think I would have seen this moment without it.

Oreintation Week!

Four days filled with intensive training on- cultural shock, safety, the Brazilian history, dance lessons, and the side exploration of a samba bar, of course to practice our new dance skills. Although the information portions should have been the most memorable, of course it was my Parana family dinner at an Arab restaurant, my first time eating that style food, and the dance lessons. It was crazy to squish 120 Fulbright fellows into the top floor ballroom to learn Forro, Salsa, Samba, and Bachata. That night, Jake, Kathryn and I attempted to go to the Skye bar, with one of the best views in the city, but it was closed due to the rain. We made due, and ended up heading to the samba bar, where I tried to learn the difference between a caipirinha and cachaça from a local. Spoiler- I still don’t understand. Afterwards, Mundo Pensate was filled with a bunch of Gringos that couldn’t dance, but we all enjoyed our last night out together before separating to our host cities. The morning we were all departing, Jake and I found a convenience store that sold Tim Tams (YES! The Australian Tim Tams that I fell in love with while studying abroad!!) and I had to buy some to share. It was a glorious moment then followed by the sadness of realizing that I needed to part ways from my travel buddies and new friends.