knife sharpening

El Afilador de Cuchillos 

Hope the video works, this is the sound you hear when the knife sharpening guy goes by on the street. He has a small grinder that he turns by foot and grinds your knives. Not quite as popular as the ice cream man.

Tea with Franco

Okay so there were actually many other people joining us for a Sunday afternoon at a friend's pool. It just seems like most of the pictures were of Franco.

Not a shabby view of this beautiful city.

Luca liked the pool

ComicConCaracas

You probably know by now that I love random things. So I wasn't going to just ignore seeing a sign for a seemingly VERY random Caracas event: Comic Con Caracas. We were driving home from getting our cedulas and I noticed the sign.

We loaded up the car and took along Wilder's friend Bianca. I was expecting a small timey event- really how many comic book fans could there be in Caracas? Turns out many, and with the difficulty of buying things in this city I was pleasantly surprised with the number of homemade costumes.

We knew we had a winner when the very first exhibit upon entering was Dr. Who. 

You want Jedis? They had Jedis

Captains Log

and here I am with a couple of... not sure really but they have made cardboard a legitimate art medium.

Homemade Wolverine, Homemade Ironman

Capoeira batizao

Capoeira, how to explain it to those who haven't heard of it? As my friend Jess Barga said: "Well it kind of combines everything I'm shitty at." So true- which brings up the question of why do I enjoy something that combines flexibility, grace, power, samba... and is taught in portuguese? I'll try to answer.

I first went to Capoeira practice when Michael Stein-Ross (marine) told us about it and Wilder was interested. I figured this might be a way for Wilder to try something new, be active, and meet new people. I went to the first practice fully intending to drop her off and then go spin or lift or something really exciting. Just watching a capoeira practice isn't an option though and like it or not I was out there learning to skiva and ginga.

Thinking about what I really like about capoeira (because I kept going) made me realize that it wasn't the actual act of capoeira, although there is a satisfaction in pushing yourself to learn something that you are truly shitty at. What has kept me coming back are the people and their energy. The group is run by Mestre Chocolate and he teaches us not just the moves but the history, the songs, and the reasons for what we do. He lives capoeira and his passion for it is contagious. Also helping out are Lotocao, Pessego, Pui-Pui, Rapaz, Scorpion, Break, Pimienta, Garibaldi, Borboleta, Atta, Ted boy, and Berembau. Each practice became a time to laugh, work hard, and feel good- what more could you want? Nicknames? got em. Mine was Bronco because I'm from Colorado and... "you're big". Wilder got Arara which is portuguese for a macaw. Luca became little Bronco: Broncino. 

So a year passed and this November was our batizao- baptism. We had new members join from the school: Samba, Tornado, Dorado, Sol, Canarina, Natureza, Tigressa, Vagalume, Guepardo. This was a ceremony to exchange our white chords for yellow. It was a great day- I had been a bit nervous not being clear  to the format- my biggest fear being that I would have to do some big individual show (I didn't). Here are some photos:

 Arara and Bronco warming up

 The berimbaus

 Cords

 Scorpion

 Rapaz

 Pessego

 We all started as a big group showing off the kicks and dodges we learned.

 Then we lined up and were introduced one by one. A veteran danced the Roda with us and ended by playfully taking us out. I have to say they were all very kind as they easily could have dropped me like a sack of taters.

 Bronco is up next

 Broncino gets his cord

 Broncino y Santi

 Judging by expressions Arara has just told Tigressa that she will need to go and meia-lua de compasso with a diagonal entrando.

 Eso!

 Marine y Bronco

 So there was also a part of the batizao that involved samba and if you look hard enough you can see that I am dancing the samba. Granted a bit stiff and frankenlike but still...

 Pessego, Rapaz, Scorpion, Bronco, Arara

 Bronco showing Lotocao whats up!

 Pui-Pui, Broncino, Chocolate, y Arara

And after it was all said and done we jumped in the car to cruise up to pozo suarape for an amazing little meal in the hills... and wouldn't you know it- I spotted a sloth on the way back down.

Signs in VZ

 I love signs- especially when I don't quite understand them- that makes it more fun to imagine what they are saying. Here is a batch of signs from the past few months that I have noticed.

This was an office supply store and apparently also has a selection of yoghurt for you if you need.

I'm not sure what is behind this door, but I am pretty sure what  isn't.

Yeah, Wilder and I shop here often.

This sign might get you into trouble in the states, I mean really, it's inquire within.

This is a sign that your country is in good hands, good strong hands that can handle a 90 mph fastball just as easily as that changeup. So don't worry y'all -he got this.

This one is down by our local fruiteria- love it, not sure what it means though- any help?

Toilet paper has been easier to find this year, but last year it got scarce enough that the local mall ran this public service ad stressing the importance of not using too much paper. I just love the guy with his sock off.


I dearly miss the snow and skiing but one day it struck me how nice it is to have the perfect temperature every single day of the year.

                     

Want to study computers in the best american academy? Well I just might know a place, call me.

                            ???? is this the opposite of "no tocar"????

 This is a sign that the portrait artist on the left just got fired because the guy on the right is the new sheriff in town!

 This is a sign that we are almost home- these eagles guard our street. I think I will bring them back to Colorado

 This is a sign that its all going to alright.

 These two are signs that if your nephew back in the states sends a "flat stanley" to you, you shouldn't let Innes "borrow" him for a few minutes.

Just a cool sign