Last night in Curitiba

I finished my trip to Curitiba with a less usual way to spend the final night here. I have stayed in a really great hostel, called Social Hostel, where I have met so many lovely people and made good friends here. On a night in at the hostel, I met an extremely interesting woman, who then invited me to a traditional drum rehearsal for my last night in the city. Intrigued, I decided to go along.

The location was about 30 minutes drive from the city, and by the time we arrived, it was very dark so I was unsure what to expect and what I was walking into. We could hear the drum and chanting from outside the house, which got louder and more exciting as we entered. Although I speak very limited Portuguese, the hosts were very happy to welcome me and share their culture with me. The instructions were translated for me in English, and they explained how to follow the leader of the drumming, and the importance of the ritual. The drum is the heart of the ceremony, and it is vital to continue the rhythm through the entire chant.

A completely unexpected experience, which was very entrancing and fun. I learnt about indigenous South American cultures, and the importance of the drum. The lifestyle of the people I met focuses on the importance of peace health, as well as connecting with the world around them.