Hello All! I’m sorry that I have not posted in a while, I had my first exam last week and the satellite internet did not get service for a few days at sea.
I am officially in Salvador Brazil and celebrating my 21st birthday! Thanks for the wonderful birthday wishes! I feel so blessed to have such loving family and friends!
The festivities started last night, when my best friend Katie ordered a huge ice-cream cake after dinner. So far I have met so many wonderful friends on this trip, and it was very special to share that with them! I did stay up until midnight to officiate the day, and then went to sleep for a few hours, but got up at 5am for the sunrise over Salvador! It is truly amazing to wake up so early and sit up at the bow, slowly watching as soft pinks and oranges light up a new city, with new and endless possibilities. I thank God so much for this amazing way to spend my 21st birthday! His beauty and grace always continue to astound me! For the rest of the day I explored the city of Salvador on foot. The city is split into upper and lower sections, connected by one huge elevator in the middle. At the top of the elevator we immediately started to recognize the presence of Carnaval all around us.
Just in Salvador alone, Carnaval draws over 2 million people every year, so everywhere you go, there are tons of people. What has now become known as the world’s largest party actually has very humble beginnings. All of the music, singing, dancing, eating, and drinking of early Carnaval started as a way to bring a community together. Basically it is hard to stay mad at anything too long when there is a celebration that just lets people be together and have a good time! Carnaval developed into a Christian tradition, meant to use up all of the disorder in the world before Lent begins. Also, the more wealthy members of the community would often pay for this celebration to take place, so it is a way of redistributing the wealth. During this week, no previous social norms apply…men can dress as women, a street child can act like a king, and for a moment, everyone appears equal not confined by society’s labels. Just walking through the city I saw such a vibrant culture, with colorful decorations, drumming down every street, and the faces of endless delight with the start of every song!
Tomorrow I am off at 1am to an Amazon adventure. I will spend four days sleeping in a hammock on a river boat somewhere in the Amazon River! We will be fishing for piranha, and going alligator hunting, so I am prepared for anything and everything. I promise to do a post when I get back about ship life, and all of my classes! So for now, take care, & I LOVE YOU!
I am officially in Salvador Brazil and celebrating my 21st birthday! Thanks for the wonderful birthday wishes! I feel so blessed to have such loving family and friends!
The festivities started last night, when my best friend Katie ordered a huge ice-cream cake after dinner. So far I have met so many wonderful friends on this trip, and it was very special to share that with them! I did stay up until midnight to officiate the day, and then went to sleep for a few hours, but got up at 5am for the sunrise over Salvador! It is truly amazing to wake up so early and sit up at the bow, slowly watching as soft pinks and oranges light up a new city, with new and endless possibilities. I thank God so much for this amazing way to spend my 21st birthday! His beauty and grace always continue to astound me! For the rest of the day I explored the city of Salvador on foot. The city is split into upper and lower sections, connected by one huge elevator in the middle. At the top of the elevator we immediately started to recognize the presence of Carnaval all around us.
Just in Salvador alone, Carnaval draws over 2 million people every year, so everywhere you go, there are tons of people. What has now become known as the world’s largest party actually has very humble beginnings. All of the music, singing, dancing, eating, and drinking of early Carnaval started as a way to bring a community together. Basically it is hard to stay mad at anything too long when there is a celebration that just lets people be together and have a good time! Carnaval developed into a Christian tradition, meant to use up all of the disorder in the world before Lent begins. Also, the more wealthy members of the community would often pay for this celebration to take place, so it is a way of redistributing the wealth. During this week, no previous social norms apply…men can dress as women, a street child can act like a king, and for a moment, everyone appears equal not confined by society’s labels. Just walking through the city I saw such a vibrant culture, with colorful decorations, drumming down every street, and the faces of endless delight with the start of every song!
Tomorrow I am off at 1am to an Amazon adventure. I will spend four days sleeping in a hammock on a river boat somewhere in the Amazon River! We will be fishing for piranha, and going alligator hunting, so I am prepared for anything and everything. I promise to do a post when I get back about ship life, and all of my classes! So for now, take care, & I LOVE YOU!
1 comment:
Hi Kate, Happy Birthday sweetie! I can't believe the wonderful adventures you are having. I can't wait to hear about them first hand. When I read your comments I feel like I am reading a best seller novel! I am so excited and happy for you. I look forward to reading more as you make your stops. I love ya,
Aunt Sue
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