Marrocos, 09 de outubro de 2011

Estou aqui sentindo um pouco das terras de nossa mãe África. Sinto-me mais em casa, apesar de perceber o quanto ela é diversa e tem muito a ensinar-me. Sinto-me num reencontro com um familiar que a muito não encontrava, um lugar longínquo que habita todo um imaginário de tempos passados de brincadeiras, de sons, de cores, de histórias de cura, histórias sofridas, de roda, de capoeiragem. Parece que esse lugar sempre esteve em mim ou em algum tempo remoto já estive aqui. Ontem saímos da cidade e conhecemos um pouco do deserto, uma viagem linda e cheia de segredos. Cenários cinematográficos de luz e calor. As cores da paisagem em laranja cor de barro, a terra seca, clima árido, trouxeram-me para perto do sertão nordestino brasileiro. Nos mercados fomos envolvidos pela magia do comércio, ou melhor, a magia de comercializar, que nos deixaram embriagados com seus chás, cheiros, sons e suas conversas. Nos deixamos envolver e percebemos um pouco a arte de sobreviver daquele povo. Ontem ao pé da fogueira, aos sons dos tambores de barro e vozes dos toaregues, sobre a luz da lua e das estrelas, em meio ao deserto, fomos envolvidos por uma atmosfera mágica que fez-me transportar em pensamentos. Pensei que foi um belo desfecho nestas passagens pelas bandas de cá, mas sinto que estas terras ainda tem muito a oferecer-me.

Janaina

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

On the doors of Sahara for the fist time

Tagine auz Poulet at the doors of the small Sahara

It was around seven PM when we experience the sunset at the doors of the desert around 5 hours from Oarzazate. In fact it was already dark when the bus left us at the doors of Sahara, but a surprise was there waiting for us. There was plenty of beautiful “dormedaires” to drive the group into the magic and calm desert where we would overnight and experience and fell the Sahara in Tuareg tends ;)

Night was an amazing moment after a dinner with the other travelers and bag packers in a tend. That time we have tasted Chicken Tagine, another traditional dish from central Morocco. The desert was pleasant and there was fire and local music outside with the vibrant songs of the north African drums and voices from the remote Sahara! Really genuine and cool…

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

High montains, forests and the sahara in our minds

It was early on Friday we left the city of Marrakesh in the direction of the sahara desert in the company of many young people from different countries. The small excursion started at 7AM at the Jemma El Fenna in the direction of Oarzazate where many holyhood movies have been filmed! We had lunch in the young town where every time cinema starts work for re-creating stories from the persians or gladiators from the old ages. Food was a really tasty veg couscous…

Coucous Veg at Oarzarzate!

During the trip to the desert we had several bargaining experiences while Janaina tried to buy some souvenirs and traditional clothes from Morocco. Bargaining is not just about business but is a life style, being the Berber way of social interaction with the people. We where quite interested about the fact that every single business person is speaking at least 3 languages including Spanish and English. Berber have well developed communication skills and they are very nice and warm ;)

African art and traditional bargaining

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

One fit again in mother Afrika

Fortunately we are so close to Africa and we have the possibility to expand our minds in the remote and splendid landscapes of north africa! My re-tour to this magic continent is now being very special since I am travelling with a very special person full of @frika in her heart…

 First day we arrived in Marrakesh after a short flight we have been in contact with the hospitality of the people and started to imagine our trip to the desert ;)

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Exploring new ways…

I am doing my best to do not lose contact with this blog and continuing talking about community diving around the world. This time can talk you about another view I have from the most traditional and wonderfull Portuguese towns.
Yesterday we have catch the urban train from Aveiro strait ahead to Oporto a very charming city where you can really enjoy the atmosphere of people hanging around the narrow streets and children playing football everywhere!
I arrived to Campanha in the morning and searched for the academy were our Capoeira group in playing every Saturday. Have ride the bike in the very steep slopes of the old town of Oporto and after a while searching and asking the locals I have listened the powerfull sounds of Birimbau and people singing… We have played for 2 hours and some of us stayed longer for a very special dancing class that I will describe you later ;)
Oporto is now full of tourist enjoing the summer of this coastal town full of historical heritage. We went out and get into to know more about the cool night hot spots, drinking beer close to Cedofeita and enjoying the company of our dear friends Daniela, Riscos and Cris, thanks for that guyes!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Talents and happiness

Today I am just wondering what many spiritual masters are used to say: everyone on earth as a talent, from cooking traditional dishes to those who are able to sing or talk to thousands of people. The ultimate goal in life could be to discover our best abilities to do something to our community and give our compassion to the others and live a good life! But What is a good life? I would say quality of life in place on earth where we can create diferent things and exchange, maybe you would say something else.
Our society looks confused trying to grasp something that nobody knows exacly what, unless we talk about something objective related to our primer demands regarding livelyhood or money. Globally, economy is the big issue at the moment, but that is dependent of something else… I would say that exchange goods and products is extremely necessary to satisfy our souls and bodies, but that only works if we can look to each other everyday and make us happy. To be rich and be afraid of all threats that are present in the modern society is not happiness. But what is hapiness?

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mitigation of climate change and adaptation to the new challenges

After a run on the beach at the beguining of the summer I can see plenty of people with sun glaces and fency cars enjoying the wild waves in Ericeira. One of the most occidental points of Europe and a wonderfull spot for surf!
Portugal my country looks excited with the summer comming even in a dificult period for the economy. This country really needs to find a path for the future and there is motivated young people doing something. Lets keep in touch with active youths and also involve experienced people, enjoy our live in community and work in cooperation for a more sustainable way of living. What do you think about walking longer distances/make exercise instead of using our cars. Bike could be a solution as well? What do you think about making good food with local products and import less products from far way? Be more self sustainable? ;)

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment