Today, I was introduced to Capoeira for the first time. Before coming to Brazil I only had a vague understanding of what Capoeira was and that knowledge was fairly basic. Upon reaching the rooftop of the university and meeting the Mestre's, musicians, and instructors, I quickly learned that Capoeira is primarily about relationship and rhythm. This old martial art turned dance is a blend of African and Brazilian cultures and is the perfect example of how well this nation has fused the many religions, cultures, and traditions of those living in Brazil.

I appreciated how welcoming the experience was for us foreigners, many of us had never before practiced something like Capoeira nor did we have much time to learn the movements. This relaxed nature has been a trait I have begun to notice more and more throughout my trip. There is a great amount of fluidity and the idea of relationships is especially strong here.