The Circus

Life in Brazil can be well likened to a Circus. Most poke fun of the country motto; "Order and Progress", as pretty much all the country can lay claim to is a slow, meandering progress towards a yet unclear goal. And order.....? But politics aside, today we went to a real Circus here: Circo Zanni. What a wonderful, refreshing experience. There were about 8 troupe members, no animals (well, at least not if you count a rather small man that dressed up like a money-woman!) and lots of wonderful, physical performances. The acts were creative, appealed to old and young, and had a charm that was contagious. The music was delightful, at times sophisiticated, and the humour was at once whimsical and slapstick. I think that growing up in Brazil would be a bit like growing up at the circus, and the number of circuses and circus schools certainly testify to their popularity. Perhaps the circus school is how I should fill my days for the next few months?

Grounded

What is going on here in Sao Paulo? Probably any of you who bother to read this living elsewhere will have a far better idea than we do here! Last Saturday night, coming back from a fine day out in the countryside, we found our local police "box" swarming with cars and hyper-attentive arms-at-ready personnel. Turns out our sleepy little Bairro was targetted as well. It feels very strange to live in a place where it is safer to avoid the police altogether. I currently take little comfort in the fact they are down the road keeping watch over the neighborhood. Buses burned, schools closed, and general malaise in the city. But the residents of this great grand city take it all in stride. In other places, life would be disrupted for weeks, but here life goes on. Back on the bus, back to school, and out for a ride. So this weekend the question will be - lie low? Or... get out there like a Sao Paulo resident and live a little.