Today I took one of my last runs along the beach. I popped in my ipod shuffle, turned on the capoeira CD my new friend, Tomate, gave to me, and ran with the ocean at my side. I made it all the way to Barra and stopped to watch the sunset. It was one of those empowering moments where your emotions overtake your body... kind of like playing in a Capoeira Roda for the first time. My favorite capoeira song came on, singing about fishermen and their mermaids in the ocean, in the most beautiful chant I've ever heard and my tears started flowing.
I cried because I was so happy and at the same time because I was so sad. I cried over all that I accomplished this summer, and all that I didn't. I cried because I felt so moved by that exact moment and I didn't know what else to do. It just felt right to cry. Crying, with my headphones on, skin sweating, and the sun setting. I am leaving Bahia, but Bahia is not leaving me.
I have grown this summer. I may not have any new answers to those rhetorical questions in life, but I have a stronger soul and a smarter mind. Bahia reminded me of what is important in life, and I hope that I never forget it. Through this blog, and my own journaling, I will remember every moment I spent in Brasil this summer. For sure, I grew as a person, as a woman, as a capoeirista, and as a lost 26-year old trying to figure her life out... I am happy and I am at peace, and there isn't anything else I could ask for.
Thank you for those who sent such wonderful comments and emails to me this summer. I'm glad I was able to share my blog with so many people. This was fun and now I have great documentation of my trip! I look forward to reconnecting with each of you, and to bringing home some of the paz and axé I found in Salvador this summer.
Salvador... Fique tranquilo porque já estou voltando!!!!
Beijos no seu coração,
Já Fui.
*Fadinha*
