Dec 20, 2007 Ilha Grande - Art Workshops

I was so impressed at how attentive and interested the students were (if they showed up), and how good they were at sharing. This was wonderful, since we only had tools for 10, and sometimes over 20 people showed up. I was also impressed at how observant they were... very important since my Portuguese was incredibly limited. Of course, it helped that there was always at least one person to interpret and help. Mostly it was Dieter, but the German volunteers (such as Ricky) and Renata (the regular art and craft teacher) also pitched in and saved the day.

Dieter, the founder , IT guy, and teacher of several classes (English, Computer, Guitar, you name it), and tutored anyone interested as needed (even some teachers working on advanced degrees), took time off to help shop for art materials in Salvador and Camamu, and then test and help out with the workshops. It was a lot of hard work, and pressure, but it was gratifying to help people learn, and to witness how people can pull together to learn and help each other under such limited circumstances... and even create something wonderful! I think most people in more wealthy cultures, don't normally learn these skills. It's easy to blame lack of tools, materials and opportunity for one's failings in creativity and productivity.

Nov 29 - Vendo - Home Sweet Flooded Home

I'm one of those nuts that runs out onto the beach during warm tropical storms to relish the feeling head on.


It's like standing in front of a giant blow dryer in a steam room. I'll also fling open ocean facing shutters to embrace the incoming strong winds that send my hair straight back and fishermen scurrying to shore. Opening all the doors and windows makes quick work of forcing out any last bit of stale air in previously boarded up under utilized pousadas, such as the one I finally moved into today.

It seems my lot, that there's always a catch that prevents total relaxation and comfort. Just as I looked forward to my first night in my newly bargained pousada, after a long day of lesson plans, logistical challenges, and propane and mosquito net installations, I found myself coming home to a partially flooded house. Good thing it's the typical tropical house of water resiliant ceramic tile and stucco! Still, there's nothing like squishing through a couple of yards of cold clammy water as one traverses the only path to one's freshly dressed and arranged Shabby Chic bedroom.

It's no small blessing that Dieter walked me home to make sure I found it and that my house wasn't flooded. Living on the island for many years, he and his family had more than an inkling that I might succumb to the same fate as most everyone in this weather challenged neighborhood.

My house is the right half of the little orange house, including the door (which only unlocked from the inside, and took a lot of tugging). Despite the flooding, and other hassles, the view, the refreshing wind, and sound s children's waterfights, and fishermen and birds in the morning, made it all worthwhile.





My little bedroom in the peach house, faced east toward the water, thus providing me with wonderful sunrises and views of the milky way, during the wee hours. Ilha Grande is the "y" shaped island below...


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