Opening Ceremonies - A Rua Para Rio

Rehearsals are improving. There is a lot of "hurry up and wait" going on, except without any of the actual "hurry" part. I'm just amazed at how everything is coming together with so many thousands of people on the field of play. There have been a lot of frustrations out of this DCI alumnus over the rehearsal conditions, but if I've learned nothing else in my time with the Blue Stars it's that we are only as good as our weakest member. When there are thousands of people spanning from the age of 18 to 85, it requires much patience to make sure everyone knows their role and can do it exactly right. I value and idolize Steve and the rest of the creative team for their ability to cope and still try to keep things interesting for all of us.

I still won't give away any of the secrets since the ceremonies don't air for another week, but don't miss it!! It's going to be an amazing spectacle of Brazilian life and culture. It will be in the USA on NBC Friday, August 5th. Go watch it!! Go love it!! I might even be on TV!!

<3 Jackie

Delta Flying - A Rua Para Rio

The most amazing thing happened... I flew. Like a bird. There's video, of course, but wow how do I explain the feeling of it in words??

First of all, let me start by saying that I am not insane and I most definitely don't look forward to death. But they say that if you can run fearlessly straight off of a mountain, then those are your two options. When it came down to it, I just didn't think about it. I just kept my hand on my instructor and followed instructions; look straight at the horizon, walk, don't close your eyes, now run, faster! And suddenly, I was in the air. There was no insane adrenaline rush, no feel of puking or queasiness, it was like I was just resting safely in a little cradle of nylon and cruising leisurely through the air.

So how does this work? Well, first you call up a flight school or flight instructor. In Rio we went to the São Conrado Escola de Voo Livre because my friend gave me the contact info for an instructor named Alex. He is definitely one of the best... I know because I stood on that mountain for a LONG time watching a couple dozen other instructors teaching people and then taking off. If you want his WhatsApp number, just shoot me a message and I'll get it to you. I spoke with him and he gave me all of the details plus a time to meet. If you can get cash, do it because sometimes paying with cards can be a real hassle when you are outside on the beach. We also blocked off an entire afternoon for the event so we would have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves and not try to rush through anything.

I would recommend wearing leggings and you definitely want shoes that won't fall off your feet. I wore jeans, which were fine but bunched up in a couple of places and could have been more comfortable. I also wore sneakers! Being on top of the mountain and that high up in the air is a bit chilly, but I would have traded for my Chaco Zs in a heartbeat if I knew I could manage it. Next time I go, I am doing the leggings and Chacos for sure.

When you get there, they have you register and then pay for insurance. It was R$40, which wasn't included in our initially stated price, and I'm hoping that the insurance is kept up for multiple flights over a period of time, however I don't want to tell you this outright without knowing for sure. Once the paperwork is taken care of, the flight instructor and an assistant drive you up the mountain, strap you in, give you some training, and you take off! It's the most amazing thing in the world, flying so high above everything you are normally stuck below in the world. My instructor had me do silly things like open my arms wide, turn sideways, and swim through the air. At one point he showed me how to steer and then let himself hang down completely with the explanation "Now I'll take a nap."

When we were finished, he used the coolest device to just upload our video and photos from his GoPro camera directly into our phones. The front view camera was included in the price, but there was a side view camera as well. They had a dock of computers set up on the beach for us to watch the footage from our side view cameras and then if we wanted it, we could purchase the footage for another R$50. If it's your first time or you are making a vlog or something like I do, I highly recommend you plan for that extra little expense. However, I think after that first time I'm personally good to not spend any more money than what's necessary.

Am I going to do it again? You bet. I'm not sure when or where but it's definitely happening.

Skin Deep - A Rua Para Rio

Living in another country will really give some serious perspective on life and what people are like. I think it's the only way we are going to ever have compassion for all people if we want to create worldwide understanding and peace.

Brazilians are so very affectionate. They are all about the hugs and kisses, and it can be either scary or wonderful for an American such as myself who is used to having to ignore people on the streets in the city. A handshake is never enough for these people and they are more than happy to share their lives with you with open arms. However, if you are looking for a deep and meaningful connection with someone, that's going to be a bit harder to find. On the outside, they may LOOK like they are all about the love, but it really seems to be the affection that's so wonderful and then it just stops. Do they even understand how to really connect with someone on that next deeper level? It's so difficult!

I've met a lot of men and women between about the ages of 25-40 (or thereabouts, I have a really difficult time telling the age of any Brazilian if they don't tell me outright!) and this seems to be the overwhelming consensus: they get married young, have a couple of children, get divorced, and then wallow in their broken hearts for the rest of their lives. They never really move on but they never really find a way to fill that gap in their lives. It's a nation of hopeless romantics.

To compare, in the US we are encouraged to get over our ex's and treat them as past mistakes, then to learn from those and move on. I shouldn't speak for the entire population of either country but this is what I've observed over and over again.

I was recently told by a Brazilian that I am the best friend he's ever had. I've not even known him for two months! So, what on earth did I do that made him feel this way? I listened to him. I let him share his life's story with me and I actually asked him questions to demonstrate how interested I was in knowing him better. Brazilians don't seem to do that with one another. It's just all beijos and samba, then you either hook up or go home. The lucky ones have a family to rely on, and many of my friends here who have successful families have a family member who is not Brazilian...

Just some observations... am I wrong?