Brazil From Amy's Perspective: Curitiba

Before delving into all that we have seen in Curitiba, I want to revisit São Paulo briefly and our visit to the U.S. Consulate. The consulate visit was fantastic; it was incredibly well organized and they were welcoming to us all. I learned a lot about the health, employment, safety and politics surrounding women in Brazil. The most powerful for me was listening how Vera Golik (who will be coming to the States this fall) turned having a sister, mother, and brother with cancer at the same time into a powerful expression of what it is to live with cancer through the "De Peito Aberto" (Open Hearted) project. Vera works with her husband, a photographer, to capture images of women and their families dealing with each phase of cancer: the discovery; the process of dealing with cancer and it's impact on symbols of womanhood like the loss of hair, fertility, and breasts; support, or the lack of, and how it affects treatment; and overcoming the disease and the personal growth that occurs. I can't wait to hear more about De Peito Aberto, and meet the rest of the women who will be coming to the States in a few months.

Photos by Hugo Lenzi, for De Peito Aberto

I arrived at my next destination, Curitiba, in the state of Parana, on Wednesday along with Shelley and Judy. Our original flight was cancelled, but we were quickly moved to the next available one. As we waited by the gate hoping to hear some announcement that we could understand, I was again brought to bewilderment and admiration for the Brazileiras knowledge and ease with the English language. It is so easy to take for granted the challenge of simple communication. To meet so many women who have not only have mastered basic conversational English, but are able to carry on conversations while transitioning between English and Portuguese is amazing to witness. It gives me a lot of hope that I will master Portuguese some day! 

Our welcome at the airport was nothing short of wonderful. Julia, Valéria, Rosangela, and Julia's son greeted us with big hugs and even bigger smiles. Our three hostesses and their families have been incredibly welcoming. They have taken us into their lives, happily spending all day with us showing us their homes, their work, and their passion for the women of Brazil. They play the role of organizer, but also translator, helping us around their city and (quite frankly) putting our hostess skills to shame. :) 

Judy and Shelley smile while waiting for the flight from São Paulo to Curitiba

Smiles, hugs, and excitement all around. Rosangela's (far right) wonderful personality is captured so perfectly here! 

Julia, Valéria, and Rosangela have filled our days in Curitiba with so many wonderful experiences we end most days excited, a bit overwhelmed, and inspired by the people that we meet. The afternoon of our first day we got to see Julia's project, music therapy, at her NGO Amigas das Mama. Mariangela, the therapist, worked us through the different ways music helps one's health via the vibrations, power of lyrics, and the support from group music therapy. She then worked us through some exercises so we could gain a better understanding of what the participants would go through. Mariangela is one of those people that you meet and immediately want to be friends with. Her warm, caring, and soothing personality immediately made us all feel at ease. She is incredibly well suited to being a therapist, and it was a pleasure to spend time with her.

Left to right: Shelley, Judy, Mariangela, and me after our music therapy lesson.

For dinner on Wednesday night, Julia and Rosangela, along with Julia's daughter and a translator who will assist at the conference, took us to this wild pizza joint where they offer slices like pineapple and cheese, white chocolate and strawberry, and banana pizza. We tried almost every option they have, because when will we be able to have banana and chocolate on a pizza in the States? It was a great and tasty introduction to Curitiba. 

Inside the Parana State Legislative Assembly building

On Thursday morning Valéria took us to the Legislative Assembly of Parana. We had two wonderful legislative staff who gave us a tour, explained the history of Parana and Curitiba, and answered all of our questions without missing a beat. As someone very interested in politics, it was great comparing and contrasting their political system with the States, and learning the ins and outs of another system. It was interesting to see the military police office in the room next to a Catholic chapel next to the Assembly's multiple secretary's offices, and thrilling to have coffee in the President's office even though he was out.

Legislative President's office.

Valéria and one of our wonderful guides enjoying coffee in the President's office.

Brazil, and especially our friends here, have treated us better than we could have ever dreamed or imagined. I have learned a lot and have stored away ideas for my own work back in western Mass. This trip has opened my eyes in many ways, but also inspired and encouraged me. This is a beautiful country with strong, amazing women working incredibly hard under difficult circumstances to make the lives of other women here, and across the world, better. Our time here is going by so quickly, I hope only to absorb as much of this time as possible, and do their work and passion justice when I return home.