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The "A Gincana" Funeral

12/1/2016

15 Comments

 
Picture

I have operated on much less sleep than normal in Brasil.  I like to aim for seven or eight hours, closer to eight.  But that hasn’t happened so much on this adventure.  Most days we leave for the mural location between six and seven in the morning.  Back home, I crawl out of bed at seven, so I just never am alert and ready to go at six o’clock.  Never!  I usually don’t talk much until the commute is over and I have coffee in my hands.  And frequently, I don’t return to my hotel until after nine in the evening.  I’m not used to this schedule.

So, when my host Geremias said that we’d leave for the JAA jamboree called “A Gincana” at three in the morning, I tried to correct him and make sure he meant three in the afternoon.  He wouldn’t be corrected.  We really, seriously, planned to leave for the event at that hour when absolutely everyone – especially me – should be asleep.  I told him that we needed to wear black, because it was going to be my funeral.

JAA is a youth organization kind of like Future Farmers of America.  They have a gathering twice a year called “A Gincana”.   I could not translate that word on Google Translate, but I’m told it means a jamboree with competitive events for participating youth groups.  The event in Barbosa Ferraz hosted around 400 young people.

We really left at three in the morning.  I tried to sleep a little before departure.  I wasn’t very successful.  After picking up passengers along the route, our bus arrived in time for a two-hour set-up.  The event was scheduled to begin at seven.

I understand why the young people from Barbosa Ferraz like me.  I interacted with them for two weeks.  But, I was like a visiting celebrity with the other JAA kids as well.  Some wore T-shirts with my name on it.  One team carried a banner with my name the entire day.  And as soon as I could get my morning wake-up coffee, I sat down with a friend from my first mural project.  The girl across the table nearly had a stroke.  She couldn’t believe that Phillipe Martin was actually sitting so close to her.

A Gincana officially started with a ceremony.  The first thing on the agenda was an ice breaker.  And, that would be me.  I have broken the ice at recent murals with people shaking up the paint and dancing.  I make a little video, we all have a laugh, and I ALWAYS stay behind the camera.  Always.  Well, I guess “always” is kind of like “never”.  You really shouldn’t use those words because they don’t seem to hold true.  Never.  So, with the ice breaker, I was given a gallon can of paint, the music was turned on, and I danced with 400 very enthusiastic Brasilians.  The previous record number of dancers (with me safely behind the camera) was 14, also in Brasil.  Most of the 400 brought their own paint jars.  When the dancing was over, they collected them as a donation for the school.  I was impressed, but not with my dancing skills.

And then, there were the selfies.  I still have never gotten into them.  However, I have an autograph book that I carry with me when I go muraling.  I had two pages set aside for those who do selfie.  If somebody took a selfie with me, I asked them to sign the book

I have five pages of autographs.

The day was filled with friendly competition and it was so colorful.  All teams wore T-shirts.  Of course, my favorite was the shirt I designed for one group from Barbosa Ferraz.  It was very impressive to see so many young people so positive and polite.  But, I was informed that there were rules.  One rule was if there was ever a fight or problem, the event would be instantly cancelled.  There would be no winners at the end of the day.  Everyone would just go home at that moment.  Well, we had our awards ceremony.  The kids were just terrific. 

And, even though the day didn’t include my funeral, there were all kinds of tears. 

The first were tears of joy.  In the middle of all the celebration at the awards ceremony, Geremias proposed to Dalillah.  Nobody saw it coming.  I car pooled with the guy for two weeks.  It was an hour journey each way.  He never said a word about it.  But, I’ve already told you that Brasilians are a passionate people.  And, this JAA group was like a family.  Propose in front of your family and there are going to be tears.

Geremias wasn’t done with his surprising either.  The proposal, well, even I could figure that out in Portuguese.  There was a ring, after all.  But, I had no idea when he also announced his retirement from JAA.  Again, nobody saw it coming.  Again, not a word was spoken about this in our car pool.  And again, a very passionate people cried.  Men, women, young, not so young, they all held onto Geremias and sobbed.  This was the day’s funeral moment.  Nobody wore black. It took everyone by surprise.

And, there were more tears.

As I have explained, A Gincana was a competition.  Every team wanted to win the trip to the state capital -- and coming in second or third is never really an option anyone prefers.  The team with the T-shirt I designed came in third, missing second place by one point.  Three of the boys who worked closest with me on both of the murals were gutted.  Uncontrollable, heart-wrenching, gutted.  When passionate people are gutted, there are so many tears.  I felt so bad because I knew they wanted to win that trip and go to the capital with me.  But, it was later explained that they wanted to win that trip and wear their T-shirts to the capital to honor me.  Then, I felt worse. 

At the end of the day, I had to give a speech.  I had already spoken at the mural dedication, so I wasn’t prepared for speech two.  But, I told the young people that I’d been in contact with Geremias for a year.  I knew he was friendly.  I knew I’d be welcomed.  But, nothing can prepare you for a Brasilian welcoming.  They were “maravilhoso”.  Then, I received a plaque that will find a place of honor in my home:

          Phillip Martin
         At each victory reached or obstacle overcome, your memory will be there.
         Thank you for being a part of our history.

So, in the end, Geremias was quite pleased I didn’t die.  I think we’re both happy about that.  But, I must admit, the day provided me with a little taste of heaven on earth, Brasil.

15 Comments
Alessa Garcia
12/1/2016 03:32:07 am

I'm really here in tears again! Phillip, we'll miss you! In a short time I was with you, I can say that I have a great friend in Ohio! And again, thanks for everything.

Reply
Jeferson Silva de Souza
12/1/2016 04:17:03 am

I will not comment too much, it's a beautiful story ...

Reply
Phillip
12/1/2016 05:40:57 am

When the story is about GE and JAA, it has to be excellent.

Phillip
12/1/2016 05:39:51 am

Alessa, if you or Lillah are not in tears, I did not express myself good enough. I knew you would appreciate this.

Reply
Pat Randolph
12/2/2016 05:00:33 pm

What an amazing time! I bet you never want to leave Brazil. You have made a huge impression on so many people. I'm so happy for you.

Reply
Phillip Martin
12/3/2016 04:07:08 am

You are so right, Pat. I really do not want to go.

Reply
Felipe Matheus
12/3/2016 09:35:56 am

It was great to have your presence during this time here in Brazil, Phillip! I'm sure the doors will always be open to you when you want to come back .. Good trip back, Thank you very much for everything, and in particular Thank you for the image you gave me as a gift! Always come back MARTIN!

Reply
Phillip Martin
12/3/2016 10:36:22 am

Felipe 2,
I really am so very impressed that 8 people showed up to the airport to greet a stranger. And, I'm so surprised how many friends I made in three weeks. I hope this was only the first of many times that you can meet me at the airport.
Felipe 1

Reply
Vini-Amuor
12/3/2016 09:56:37 am

It's unfortunately the time has come, I did not want to be here saying goodbye, because I never wanted it to be, I'm here not to say goodbye, but a "See you soon," because you're a friend that will really Stay in our hearts , Thank you again for giving us those beautiful moments in our lives, thank you for being a wonderful person, caring and friendly that you are, I wish the best, Remember: I will learn English, to talk to people De Ohaio .. Thank you for entering our stories ... We love you my great friend

Reply
Mari
12/3/2016 01:34:00 pm

And once again the tears stream from my eyes. It is so sad to have to give goodbye to a great friend, will be the memories kept of all the special moments. Come and visit us, thank you for everything. Good trip back, success in your murals. Hugs.

Reply
Phillip Martin
12/4/2016 01:24:58 am

Mari,
Sorry about the tears, but I've come to believe that's Brasilian. :-) I'm so glad I was able to meet you and paint as well. Your country is just amazing and I want to return as soon as possible.
Phillip

Reply
Samara Campanha
12/4/2016 06:14:28 am

Good trip or better to say good trips, good times, good companies, good laughs, good days and good nights ... Let the new make yourself present in your life in a special way, just as you are. And may your spirit adventurer and pioneer frighten any loneliness.
And whenever you want to come back, we'll be here to greet you with great joy.
A Great Trip Phillip Martin!

Reply
Phillip
12/22/2016 02:39:18 pm

So much good in Brasil. I loved my time in your beautiful country. I can't wait to return. Obrigado.

Reply
kaique BARRETO
12/5/2016 06:43:13 am

hi phillip, i'm a bit late on this review.
but i find the publication now, i hope we meet again, i miss it.
one question, do you like cachaça?

Reply
Phillip
12/22/2016 02:35:49 pm

Kaique,
I loved almost everything about Brasil. Cachaca didn't make the list of things I loved. :-)

Phillip

Reply



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