Salvador

Salvador, Bahia was settled by the Portuguese in 1549 and is the third largest city in Brazil (Sao Paulo being the largest and Rio de Janeiro the second).  The city has influences from the Portuguese, African heritage, and the indigenous people.  Salvador was the first slave market on the South American Continent.  

The views in the city are incredible!

View from hotel balcony!  The weather is hot and humid here!  It is a beautiful view running by the Atlantic Ocean.

At the hotel pool around sunset

Pelourinho is the historical center of the city.  Suprisingly, as I am looking in one of my guide books, discovered that Pelourinho means "whipping post," but somehow I had not heard this before on our tour of the city or while visiting the area several times in the past few days.  Several of the churches I wrote about a few days ago were also in this area.

Theatre where we watched Bale Folclorico da Bahia, of Bahia performance, which involved music, dances of the Candomble (African religion where music and dance are part of it), and Capoeira.  Capoeira is an African fight that was brought to the country by slaves, they would do this with music as a way of staying fit and being ready to fight their masters.  It was illegal to do as a slave, so they made it appear similar to a dance.

Historical buildings in Pelourinho.

Before the folklore show

Anne, Cynthia and myself at dinner.

In Pelourinho we saw Teacher's brand of whiskey...It grabbed our attention!

Church in the middle of the town square.

City is decorated for the June parties.

Beers being sold for about .50 cents USD in the historical square.  (Not sure if this is only during the June parties or all the time!)

Our group had the privilege of visiting Projeto Axe, in the heart of Pelourinho.  The program helps children stop living on the street by agreeing to go back home or with a family member and attend school, assist the families as needed, and has the children to participate in a visual or performing arts activities.  The students participate in dance, music, art during the session they are not at school and are given two meals daily.  Sometimes these are the only meals the students eat. Over 1,000 children and families benefit yearly from the program.

Students from Projeto Axe.

Art project students created.

Forte de Santo Antonio, a light house built in 1535, then strengthened again in the early 17th century to help defend the city from the Dutch.

Behind the lighthouse.

View of the Mercado Modelo (the large building in front), built in 1861 as a customs building and slave trade building.  Now it is used as a market for merchants to sell their goods and souvenirs.  Off to the left you can see the Elevador Lacerda built in 1873 (yes it has been updated!) connects the lower part of the city to the upper part.  

Sidewalk in Vitoria area

Mosaics on the walls in Vitoria district.

Statue in the middle of a park in Vitoria which is the indigenous people stabbing a snake (which represents the Portuguese).  Statue is beautiful and rather symbolic.

Good bye to Taguatinga!

The last day in Taguatinga was a day of good bye's and a manifestation (or what we call protests)!  Monday did not go as planned, but I did get to witness a historical event in Taguatinga.  Throughout my time in Brazil the country has been in the middle of various manifestations.  The people in Brazil have decided to stand up for what they believe in.  Many people are upset with the fact that so much money and attention are being diverted to the World Cup, Confederation Cup and soccer in general, when the people would prefer the money is spent on education, health care and public transportation systems.  Additionally, many do not want a current bill PE37 to pass in Congress that would allow politicians who have been found corrupt to not receive a consequence.  This particular manifestation was primarily students.  

Isabelle's students left school around 5:45pm, but we were unable to leave until 8pm or so.  The protesters were walking in the streets and roads were being closed by the police.  At one point there were loud noises inside the staff lounge were we were waiting for traffic to improve.  Outside the protesters were walking in the streets next to the school with the police following.  We were safe inside as the school is surrounded by concrete walls and gates, but then we had to wait longer. Also, near my hotel was lots of traffic and police presence, so I was not being brought there until Isabel and I knew it was safe. 

I am curious to see what happens after the Confederations Cup, will the manifestations continue or will the movement end as soccer no longer is the main focus in the country? 

The Brazil soccer team becomes such a priority that schools will close early and businesses close when the team plays!   Many of the educators my colleagues and I spoke with do not seem interested in soccer and would rather schools not be closed. 

These are photos that appeared on an online news feed, so I can not take credit for them.  

The clock tower square in the middle of Taguatinga near the school. 

Students did organize this protest!

Last night in Salvador a protest was beginning.  One. Of my colleagues, Vicki, took this picture of the police getting ready for the demonstration.

Salvador churches

Today we went around Salvador seeing historical sites!  The cathederals are amazing, so beautiful and elaborate!  Salvador is an incredible place, and will write more about it later.

Igreja De Nosso Senhor Do Bonfim Catholic Church.  Many of the churches here are so beautiful.

This is an active church for worship. 

This church has an ornate ceiling just as so many of them do.

This church is known for those that have an ailment and come to pray.  It is believed that if you pray and buy/obtain a part that represents where your illness is then this will help you heal.  This is a picture of the room with parts.... and note of those who need prayers or have been treated/cured.

Here are the colorful ribbons, fitas, that are frequently tied to people's wrists with 3 knots - each knot represents a wish.  The wishes are granted when the ribbon wears off and falls off the wrist.  It sounds alot like our friendship bracelets! Vendors are standing outside the church selling these ribbons!  Yes, I made some wishes and tied some on the fence. 

Catedral Basilica -  This is a Saint Francis of Assissi church.

 This is the Catedral Basilica built between 1657 and 1672 and has gold leaf covering much of the Baroque architecture inside.

These tiles were all imported from Portugal, and are in the exterior (middle) portion of the church.  The tiles are under a walkway, but this is an open air portion of the church and has been exposed to the weather.  A story is being told as you walk around the tiles.

The interior portion.

Inside the cathederal, very elaborate!  Also a working church for worship and weddings.

This church is related to the Catederal Basilica, but is just down the block.

Festa Junina

Festa Junina (June Parties) are common place in schools, primarily elementary age.  The tradition dates back to when the Portuguese colonized Brazil.  Children participate in choreographed dancing where directions are called out, similar to square dancing.  Each dance that I witnessed was between 10 and 15 minutes. Students are dressed in costumes, and there is even a bride and groom for most dances.  The party I attended there were simple games children could play, such as fishing for a toy in the sand using a wooden stick and string, and lots of food in the decorated school gymnasium.  The songs and dances represent various cultures and areas from Brazil.

Taguatinga views -

Here are some views from the top of my hotel in Taguatinga.

View from hotel during sunrise.

At sunrise

There are very few left hand turns, but lots of circles, round-abouts, and u-turns.  This picture does not represent the traffic (as it's about 7am), there are so many cars on the road to Brasilia in the morning.  Without traffic it takes about 15-20 minutes, with traffic it can be an hour plus.  Driving is interesting here, after being here I understand why Brazilians are winning automobile racing events!

There is lots of new buildings going in around Taguatinga and Brasilia.  These are new apartments that I was told would cost the equivalent of $400,000 USD, very expensive!  People buy and rent apartments in Brazil.

View from hotel

So this is the pool at the top of the hotel.  Different than most pools at hotels in the states!  Look at the picture below and the warning.  It goes along with the saying "Here's your sign!"  It makes you wonder if someone tried diving in to 2.6 feet of water and was injured! Seems obvious to me, but no different than the states!

Miscellaneous thoughts...

In the last two weeks, I have seen a variety of schools, and been involved with many presentations.  I have given some, and some were presented to me.  There are many similarities within our schools, but differences.  It is hard to believe that I have only one more day in Taguatinga.  I will miss the teachers and students I have come to know.  They are so kind, generous and helpful!  

Taguatinga - lots of stores and shopping here!

Taguatinga - notice store fronts are open, at night there are roll down doors or gates.  This was part of my walk to school.  

Clock tower square.

The teachers I spoke to are all dedicated teachers who only want to see their students excel.  Many teachers expressed some of the same concerns we have - school funding, technology (integration & working up to date technology), time in class, teacher salaries, parents, and student motivation.  So nice to hear that we are not alone.  The foreign language teachers I spoke to from public schools only see their students once or twice a week for 50 minutes or one 90 minute class.  Many commented it is so difficult for students to learn a new language with these time constraints.  Think of how many students we would all see at Toby Johnson if we only had them one time per week?  WOW!  The students do take math and Portuguese daily for 50 minutes.

I have been asked by students if they are different than my American students, and the answer is "no". The students are interested in music, sports, friends, some in school - others not so much, politics (the older ones), etc. The students seem to be similar that as I spoke to some, I was reminded of many of my own students in the last few years.  I feel as if the Brazilian students I encountered moved into my school district, some may struggle with the language, but would not socially!

Students who created a presentation on the Digital TV Tower in Brasilia.  I was not able to see this tower, but wanted to after their presentation.

Students who read the letters my students wrote, and they wrote for my next year students to read.)

On Wednesday, Brazil was playing in a soccer game at 4pm, and there was discussion as to whether school would be cancelled that day, shortened or no afternoon session.  Students do need to attend school for 200 days a year, so if schools decided to cancel school completely that day would need to be made up.  Schools do not count minutes as we do in California, from what I can understand, so some schools did a shortened day.  Many students will not attend if Brazil is playing.

A major difference I noticed between elementary campuses here and at home is there does not seem to be grass fields for recess or to play games.  One school students were running around and playing games on concrete, another school on tiled outside area.  Some schools here students stay in the classroom, and the teachers move from room to room.  At a private school, students were required to have a computer with special software installed which allowed the teacher to know what the student was working on, and have communication (I think) with the student.  The parents purchase this over a 3 year time period if needed.  As I walked around the school students had them out on their desks.

Here is this school's recess/break area.  They do have a chess/checker board.  A staff member had taught the students how to play. 

Students normally wear a school uniform which consists of just a t-shirt.  The shirt has their school name and seems to be white.  Even though they have this, I did notice many students altering the shirt or wearing a shirt or sweatshirt over it.  I was not able to tell if staff enforced any other dress code.  Teachers did tell me that students will wear other clothes to school, then change, and try and get away with as much as possible.  Sound familiar to anyone?

I did give a presentation on reading strategies to the CIL teachers, and teachers are the same.  As giving the presentation, some teachers were engaged, some were texting, and then others were grading papers.  It made me think of some many of the staff development meetings I've participated in throughout the years.  Of course I was giving some items away, school t-shirts, school note pads, Jelly Belly's, Ghirardelli chocolates, etc so everyone was involved as names were being drawn.  

These teachers were engaged!

All of the teachers who attended the reading strategies presentation.  Of all the presentations, this one made me the most nervous!

Yara (pronounced Ya ta), the coordinator of CIL Brasilia, who allowed me to present on campus.  I gave her a TJMS AVID shirt.