This blog is about one of my favourite visits we have done so I thought it deserved a blog of its own where we went to Vigaio Geral to visit the AfroReggae project. It was so inspiring and enlightening in what they do. I have seen the documentary back at home but it is nothing like going to see them in real life! What a day. It took us some time to reach there but it was a beautiful drive in wonderful weather. Then when we reached it started with a proper bang, the AfroReggae bateria gave us a rhythmical feast from funk to reggae!! For about 15mins straight they played on oil cans, water barrels that have been adapted and tuned to make surdos, caxias etc. They played with so much energy, accuracy and movement . It was great to see them play full of happiness and really complex stuff!

We were then taken to a different part of the favela where we saw a play. This was done by a group of people who told the story of the favelas; of all the violence, romance, dangers, good and bad things that happen. It was hard to understand all the monologues as it was in Portuguese but then one could get the gist of the story from the acting and the few words we understood.  They used minimal props and instruments but their facial expressions and inventiveness was great showing you do not need loads of money, fancy setting, lighting to be effective but hard work and you could tell they had been practicing for months!!

We went to the main AfroReggae building that they have built, which is immense.  It has 4 floors of all different bright colours which have been sponsored by different companies.  For instance, Natura is a main investor in AfroReggae and they were the people who organised this trip for us which I am deeply grateful for!

We had lunch in a famous place called Mrs Dummy as the chef is famous for having a dummy in her mouth. The food was delicious and really tasted home cooked!

The highlight of the day for me was when we went to watch a rehearsal of the AfroReggae group going to perform in festival brazil in Soutbank in august!! After a couple of minutes of listening to the group I asked if I could play alongside them.  Luckily the guy said ok but a bit puzzled. But I picked up the timba as that was what was not being used and we then started playing a variety of songs to the rest of the fellows. I started a little quietly until I got a feel of the rhythm of the group and then really enjoyed myself. The feel was very different, recoginised a few songs but different variations to what I have heard which was interesting. What was nice was the way the group accepted me when they saw I could play and they gave me pointers in what they wanted me to play for different songs which was fun! I played a western snare drum as well and they asked me to play a different arrangement of the samba clave which was cool as they showed me simply first then a more complex version! Also during all of this one min I was playing to a sat down audience and the next moment everyone was dancing together! 

Unfortunately we had to leave but was definitely a good ‘cultural immersion session’.  We also saw some other groups, one played some funk on a stage outside and another group played african music.

We also had a inspirational talk by a guy who used to be a drug lord for nearly 10years since he was 19 and now he is part of AfroReggae.  He has even been to the US to give presentations on drug trafficking. He explained how when he was a child that being a drug lord was thought to be the ideal job as it came with power, prestige in the community and money! He talked about how they are trying to help children via this projects so to catch them before they get into the drug industry by giving them other opportunities to study get jobs!

Finally, we had a short lesson in samba reggae which was interesting but then we had to go back on the coach to Ipanema! However, this was definitely one of my favourite days and I hope I have been able to portray that through this blog! Tchau

Well one week later and here I am writing my first real blog! Here in Brasil we have had a crazy week, packed full of juicy juicy activities that have kept us on our toes and exhausted by the end of the day.

Well one week later and here I am writing my first real blog! Here in Brasil we have had a crazy week, packed full of juicy juicy activities that have kept us on our toes and exhausted by the end of the day.

The time has flown by as there are only a few days in Rio left, yet at the same time it feels as if we have been here for ages and known each other forever!  One thing I must say is how grateful I am to the British Council team here in Rio for planning us such a packed and wonderful programme.

So general opinions of Brasil so far, last saturday it was raining and a little cold and was cloudy so I initially thought in the airport, ‘wow this feels just like london’. Yet it was more humid and once we got into the city it definitely didn’t feel like london.  The natural beauty of Rio is stunning; the hills, trees and greenery is amazing. Also when the sun came out I found it weird that this could be winter here in brazil, which is hotter than our summer back in london! Well the weather improved incredibly so it now feels much more like Rio now and is even more beautiful.  I am still amazed at how the favelas can be so close to these amazingly developed cities and how there is such a wide gap between the social classes.  For instance in Ipanema there are shops that look like they have been taken off Oxford Street with Oxford Street prices literally converted into reals. Yet alongside this there are malls for more down to earth people. Overall Rio feels like a crazy place, full of contrasts yet somehow a underlying sence of harmony that keeps everything and everyone together. And I definitely love the city and could spend much longer than 2 weeks exploring.

One thing I didn’t imagine was how welcoming most Brazilian people have been to us, even in the favelas.  This is very different to London where people usually keep to themselves.  Also the beach is wonderful, as I hoped but I did not anticipate the natural beauty that  is so pure.  Also the variety of food is great here in Rio, there are restaurants to suit all different tastes. The only style I have not found accessible in Ipanema is Indian food.

So that is a general overview of my opinions so far, I am in Cultura Inglesa at the moment and going to see a documentary soon about a film being released next month about the life in the favelas which sounds exciting.  However, will definitely try to blog again with some more specific details of Rio 2010!!

Hey guys after a great pre-departure visit im sure im not the only one with a swimming head full of info! 

so i thought to lighten up the mood wiv introducing you all to the Samba School i play in the bateria with....PARAISO!!!!

I have uploaded our Samba Enredo for this year which is our theme song of this years Notting Hill Carnival so have a listen, I hope you all enjoy it!

our website is: http://www.paraisosamba.co.uk/ so check it out! 

Also check out: http://brazilianbeatz.podomatic.com/

This is a podcast of brazilian music where you can listen and download hours of quality music of the many different styles from Brazil! I hope you guys find it useful and fun to listen to and explore the Brazilian music culture!

once again Parabens and see you all on the 16th!! 

2010 Heroes of Independence.mp3 (4.10 mb)

Hey guys I am Ashvin and I have just finished studying my first gruelling year of Dentistry at Guys Kings and St Thomas' Hospital. Academically I did biology, chemistry, physics and maths for A-levels so as you can see I’m a science geek lol 

Two things all my friends know me for is that I love to eat and talk!  Hence I love meeting new people and chatting away! My other main passion is music. I play the flute and saxophone and love playing classical, baroque music as well as some good old jazz. I also play with the Paraiso School of Samba where I am part of the bateria...I don’t dance lol! This was one of my main inspirations for going to Brazil, to see the home country where Samba was born.

On a more serious note I aim to help develop the social and healthcare systems in developing nations in the future. This program would provide me with the opportunity to discover people’s attitudes on a grass root level regarding the healthcare system of Brazil. I would be able to compare this with the NHS and find how each system can learn from the other.

So yep personal reasons and dental ones for looking forward to going to Brazil. May the 16th of July come FAST!!!