Do-In

Last Thursday, I went to a Do-In (Traditional Chinese Medicine) workshop at Yoga & Cultura in Ipanema to learn how to align my chakras by accessing them through different pressure points through out my body--a self massage. The instructor was a skinny man in his early fifties that had discovered Do-In in New York while living and working there. According to him, he was very unwell and had gone to the doctor to see what was alling him. The doctors could find nothing wrong with him, and told him they would have to wait for something to manifest itself before they could treat him. He thought this was a ridiculous idea, as his health was still in a moment where he could prevent a serious illness, so he decided to take an alternative approach looking into different types of holistic medicines and practices, where he came across Do-In. He said that the master took one look at him and exclaimed "You are a very sick man!" which ellated him, as no one before could tell him that anything was wrong. From that moment on, he has been practicing Do-In and feeling wonderful, in a nutshell.

He continued flailing his arms about demonstrating the movements like a an interpretive modern dance and talking about Do-In's benefits for an hour and the crowd started stirring a little. At one point, I thought that he might take flight over all of us by the velocity of his arm movements. He might have lived in NYC, but he was definitely a Brazilian at heart. His speech was slightly redundant and we wanted to try this miracle self massage.

Finally, after almost and hour and a half of hearing about Do-In we got to experiment with it ourselves. It was incredible as he talked for an hour about the benefits, one would think he would spend time on the technique, but he flew through most of the practice leaving me still clueless about the principle message that starts at your shoulder, runs down to your fingertips, back up to your shoulder, around your head, down your lateral torso, down the leg, up the leg on the inside, and back up over the head, to repeat the sequence on the other side. He did it like lighting, so I'm not sure if that is even the sequence. One very important pressure point I do remember, however, is almost in the middle of your palm--it is supposed to augment sex drive. Hum...interesting.

The other pressure point I paid particular interest to was for putting yourself to sleep. He said that most sleeping problems are the result of an anxious stomach, so one should calm the stomach to sleep. The pressure point in question is on the first toe next to your big toe, on the bottom outside corner of the toenail, where you are supposed to press with the tip of your nail and hold it securely until you dose off to sleep. I tried this,  legs up in air, pressing and pressing, trying to have the patience for this to take effect, but needless to say, I just turned over and drifted of to sleep about 30 mins later as normal. I won't discount it quite yet, but it didn't work after 10 mins of pressure.  

All in all, it was fun to learn about something new. I am continuing to massage and hit the toxins out of my body daily since. I will end as the instructor ended, "Don't forget to touch yourself daily." There is nothing else I can add to that.

Feeling Old...

Today, I bought a pair of arch support inserts from Dr. Schols.

The Usual, Unusual Day

Just another day in Rio.
I went downtown for an English lesson. Before I got there, I decided to grab something to eat at Mister Sucos, there I was greeted by  a woman holding her child begging patrons for money so her little girl could have something to eat. In all honesty, I only had 5 reals, which I needed to buy me something to eat, since I hadn't eaten yet. I told her that I didn't have enough to buy her daughter something to eat. This is usually the default answer on the streets of Rio though, "No, I don't have it." It's hard because there is always someone asking for money. This isn't a novel sight, a woman and her baby. It's everywhere here. To the point where, I've even seen a little 4 year old with a fanny pack strapped across his front working the streets for his mommy or daddy at 1 o'clock in the morning when he should have been sound asleep in bed. That affected me more than any of the other site, this one really got to me. It's almost like people here are numb to the sight of poverty now. When I first got here, I completely appalled and impressed with the blatant gap in classes, but after living here off and on for almost 4 years now, it doesn't even bother me anymore sometimes. I see the same three guys on the corner of my street everyday. The numbness has encroached over me too because you can't help everyone, and I don't want to contribute to any social problems, such as the drug trade. For that reason, I only give food, never money, usually. Today, I broke that rule and gave the woman my change. This whole social divide is another topic in itself that I'm not even going to touch right now.

Walking back from my lesson, there was a girl in front of me with the cutest dress. It could be dressed up for work or even dressed down for a night out with friends. I immediately wanted to stop the girl and ask where she got it, but then got distracted by the bookstore on my left where I subsequentially turned to check out the art and mystery sections. There where a few interesting books I wanted to buy, like: the new Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza mystery, Graffiti Brasil, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (which is not out in theaters yet here in Brazil, boo!). All three books called out to me, but none were bought. Yes, self-discipline won today.

My ride back on the subway merits mentioning.There was a crazy today! Usually, I only see the crazys on the bus and that is rare, but today I had the pleasure of spectating a woman making a lot of passengers very irritated and uncomfortable. The woman seemed to be in her early forties, with the face and body of a crack user, and agility of a drunk, and personality of a comedian. She would stubble along the car pestering the passengers, but at least only jesting. She tried to read the text of one woman leaning against the center pole, then made her way to a middle aged woman wearing a sleeveless dress, where she started rubbing her shoulders and telling her "Bom Dia!" and asking her how her day was going. When the woman wouldn't respond she decided to dance over to someone else. Basically, she moved throughout the entire car greeting and touching everyone. I prayed to God that she wouldn't see my foreign face and want to touch me. I'm a germaphobe and hate others that I don't know touching me, especially one that seems to be drugged up. With all the luck in the world, she chose the woman to my side to chat with instead of me. That was close!  The nice, crazy, touchy lady eventually got off at Siqueira Campos when security boarded.

 Anyway, going back to the cute dress, the girl in the cute dress got off at the General Osorio Metro stop with me and even headed in the direction of Copabana, where I was going. It was the perfect opportunity to ask her where she had found that glorious dress. Then I started thinking that it might be weird for me to ask her where she had bought her dress--she might think that I was trying to pick her up. Gosh, that would be horrific! So, I waited for one more karmic sign "yes" or "no" to ask her about the dress. Right as I was about to pass her, she answered her phone, SO I still have no idea where the dress came from. Should have just asked when I had the chance.  Lesson to self, don't be so shy!

Matisyahu Show

Saturday night Matisyahu (a Jewish Orthodox singer/ beatboxer/ composer) was in Rio performing at Circo Voador, so of course I took the opportunity to see him again live. I had already seen him once in Kansas City last summer, but his set was super short because it was Friday night and he had to quit before the sunset for religious reasons. Kinda sucky because he's so great live, but Saturday night he played forever! It was so fabulous and transcendent his melodic voice and the heavy dub bass lines. It's interesting because he doesn't say much, but his stage presence is captivating and when he does finally say something, everyone listens. He played most of my favorite songs: Exhaultation, One Day, Jerusalem, and Chop Em Down. Unfortunately, no Warrior, but it was still a wonderful show. Each song had a momentary jam out session in the middle where he would get into an almost trance for a moment and then break out into dance skipping around the entire stage. There was one part in the beginning where it looked like he was having some sort of tantric moment while he was, what looked to be, chanting--a spiritual orgasm on stage.

Before the show, they showcased a documentary called Dub Echoes about the creation of dub in Jamaica and its influence in the world of music. It was very fascinating to see how much dub (or rather, a rich bass line, where the bass is the main melodic emphasis) has influenced punk, rock, r&b, really all types of music. Dub is a strong musical statement that can be hypnotic and moves the body, literally. It's long sound waves penetrate your heart and make it bounce. As Bob Marley said, "...music, when it hits, you feel no pain."

Saturday Afternoon

Feira de Antiquidades/ Antique Fair

This Saturday afternoon was delightful. I decided to check out a neighborhood Antique Fair at Shopping Cassino Atlantico in Copacabana. I was there with all of the senior citizens of Copacabana checking out the antiques, listening to live violin music from the third floor, filling my belly with German food, and reading Merde! Um Ano em Paris while sipping on espresso.   

Producao Alema by Dyva Lucia Decker. She is the cook of all things German from Santa Catarina, Brazil. Every Saturday on the bottom floor you can find her serving delicious German delights. Cachorro quente R$7,00 or a German Plate (my choice) R$12,00. I give it two thumbs up!

Beautiful antiques everywhere lining the parameter of the shopping center selling all antiques ranging from salt and pepper shakers, antique furniture, dresses, and swords to cute little tea cups. The permanent shops, open all week, consist of galleries of art, antiques, and fine Brazilian stones (for the tourists).

In the center of the shopping center there is a cafe with a grand piano, that gets played daily by anyone that is willing to show off their skills for the adoring crowd. You can order speciality drinks and sit with friends listening to live piano music or just read a book by the lamp's light.

If you can't think of anything to do on a Saturday afternoon, I highly recommend visiting the Antique Fair at least once if that's your cup of tea. Pun intended.

SOS Rio- Flooding in Rio de Janeiro

Today the beach is slightly trecherous for those that want to take a dip. Yesterday, there was a wave in the Zona Sul area a little bit taller than 5 meters recorded. These monsterous waves are the result of a cold front mixed with high and low pressures that brought massive downpours of rain that invaded Rio de Janeiro Tuesday, April 6, 2010, leaving many without homes, some commuters in traffic all nigth, and over 200 deaths due to mainly mudslides in the poorer areas of the city. A complete tragedy for many Cariocas. Many have lost everything that they owned and also loved ones.The city is still trying to recuperate, but still finding more and more bodies in the fallen earth.

Tonight I plan on checking out Matisyahu at Circo Voador. He and many other artists are participating in S.O.S. Rio to help those that have been affected the worst. If anyone is interested in helping out financially, an account through the bank Bradesco has been set up. It's: Cáritas Arquidiocesana, no banco Bradesco, Agência 0814-1, C/C: 48500-4. All proceedes go to the flood victims.

Design Sponge: Chocolate Pudding Goodness

So, in between checking my e-mail and facebook(virtual crack) I came across the most decadent chocolate recipe at Design Sponge. Just imagine petite gateau in a cup accompanied by fresh cream or ice cream hitting your palate. I can't think of anything more delicious or more heavenly on this earth. The recipe is from Design Sponge, one of my favorite sites online now. One can see interior design, DIY, product guide, accessories, a city guide, new grafic art, calendar wallpapers, and my favorite, delicious recipes, all in one site whimsically designed to inspire and entertain anyone that loves design. It makes my mornings a little bit brighter while having breakfast and sipping on some Brazilian coffee (the best) in my little shot size demitasse. Side note: I found a set of six white porcelean demitasses, totally chic or "chique" as Brazilians love to say, at Tem Tudo or something like that in Ipanema for $R20. So happy!

Without further adeu, the All-Inspiring Chocolate Pudding Goodness Recipe:

Soft-centred chocolate puddings

Makes 4
• 4 tbs granulated white sugar (60g) + 2/3 cup sugar (160g)
• 100g butter, chopped
• 200g good quality dark chocolate, chopped
• 3 eggs
• 2 tbs self-rising flour (30g)*
• Icing sugar (powdered) & thick cream, to serve

* To make your own self-rising flour, for each cup of all-purpose flour (125g), add 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5g) of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt (2.5g).

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 200°C/390F. Lightly grease 4 x mud australia Limoges porcelain baby noodle bowls (or similar oven-safe bowls). Sprinkle 1 tbs sugar into each bowl and turn so sugar coats inside of the bowl.

Step 2:
Place the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir with a metal spoon for 5 minutes or until mixture is smooth then remove from the heat.

Step 3:
Using electric hand mixer, beat eggs and remaining sugar on high speed until pale and slightly thickened. Pour warm chocolate mixture into egg mixture. Sift flour over mixture and stir gently to combine. Pour mixture evenly between bowls. Place onto a tray. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until well risen.

Step 4:
Dust with icing sugar and serve with thick cream if desired.

I'm going to try this recipe out ASAP! Enjoy!

The Perishers

The Swedish indie band The Perishers has caught my eye a few months back when I shamelessly started watching GREEK to get my fill of American culture, since I live Brazilian almost all day everyday. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with Brazil, Rio de Janeiro or my MBA, but since I discovered this band here in Rio de Janeiro, I feel that it is within the boundries of this blog to note.

The Perishers have actually been around since 1997 and have three albums released: From Nothing to One, Let There Be Morning, and Victorious. Among these albums, my favorite two songs have to be "There's Nothing Like You and I" and "My Heart." Their melodies are simple, nothing spectactular, but Ola Kluft's ,the lead singer, voice is hauntingly calming and sexy.

Subway Case 101

Throughout the week, I take the Metro/Subway on average about eight times, that is coming and going. While on the subway reading makes the time fly so much faster; however, during rush hour traffic, finding a seat is next to impossible at times. When this occures, the best activity one can partake is the artful game of people-watching. On the subway this is a tricky task, as everyone is looking at everyone, but one can't stare too intently at anyone. Slightly paradoxical. One must acquire the skills and agility of looking nowhere--off into the distance--which is in reality is black windows with the occasional light speeding by. I refuse to be this aloof citizen that doesn't take advantage of a people-watching moment like this. People are irritated, hot and sweaty, tired from the day, and ready to get home with as little delay as possible--the perfect scenario for a sociological observance.

In Rio de Janeiro, I have found that generally people like to cluster together, but oddly enough this not the case on the subways or buses. For example, if there are twenty tables available at a restaurant, and you sit in the middle, normally, a carioca will inevitibly sit two or three tables away, maybe even right next to your table to feel more comfortable. Cariocas like to feel apart of the group and feel uncomfortable being a loner. (Don't we all?) But on the subway, cariocas tend to want their space and to be left alone. This is perfectly fine for me. Every once and a while you'll get the confused old lady wondering where the line is going. Making a lot of noise is usually rare, unless someone is trying to answer the phone because reception is bad, so the person on subway  has to invariably shout "I'm on the Metro! The Metro! On the Metro! Can I call you back? The Metro!" Then you have the foreigners that stand in the middle of the car having a conversation as loud as they possibly can about Brazil, "Brazilian girls are so hot. Two girls were flirting with me yesterday night, but then they wanted me to pay them to come up to my room. What's with that?" thinking that no one understands them, when in reality probably 50% of the car can. Any foreigners reading this that are traveling in Brazil and do this, beware most people can understand you. Just a precationary note.

During the unpleasant event of rush hour traffic, along with standing, you might be stomach to stomach a hairy sweaty man. Yesterday, in fact, I was almost nose to nose with ape man. I kid you not! He had salt and pepper hair sprouting from the front and back of his shirt wildly. At these times it is necessary to pray to God that a hot girl or guy enters the car and decides to be the one stomach to stomach with you, at least someone that smells good and isn't sick, coughing in your face. Oh the joys of public transportation!

If you are lucky you can bear witness to a good argument when people jam into the cars and then try to exit at the same time. Here is a nice mental picture, a flood of foot traffic racing to go inside a car, when the pedestrians inside the car are trying to exit at the same time, not to mention little old ladies throwing elbows to get the preferential seat. It's survial of the fittest during rush hour.

On a more positive note, most of the day the subway is the most civilized way to travel publically in Rio, aside from taxis. Everyone gives up their seat to little old ladies and men teetering onto the subway with their grocery carts. The air condicioner is a piece of heaven in 90 degree heat and getting from point A to point B quickly and efficiently is pleasing and encouraging, whether one is scouring the city for tourist sights, going to work or an embassy, or just to meet up with a friend for coffee at the historical Confeitaria Colombo, the subway in Rio de Janeiro is always an experience. Enjoy life!