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?