Tiba...the beginning

Posted by .murph. |0 comments

The tall hill which now belongs to Tibá was once pasture-land with little trees, some sugar cane and coffee plants remained from back when this hillside was dedicated to these cash crops.  When Johan took over the 20 hectare property some 25 years ago, the entire landscape would change. Now, after having planting trees appropriate for the climate and allowing nature to run its course, the hillside is a lush green full of native and introduced vegetation as well a home for several species of animals. Recently, a rare monkey was spotted, the mico-leao (golden lion). When you look at it all, it’s difficult to imagine that this was pasture-land; just as difficult as it can be to imagine cities as being forests.

Johan is an architect and wrote a book, a construction manual for sustainable construction entitled: ‘the Barefoot architect’. TIBÁ began as a place where architectural students could come and learn about eco-construction and try out these techniques. Gradually, the types of people visiting Tibá changed. Many more people were coming from all walks of life, all with a general desire to escape the city and find an alternative, more sustainable and healthier way of life. A desire to reconnect with nature.

I have to admit I had some doubts about doing an apprenticeship with Tibá. For one, they charge R$1000 to be an apprentice, working 8 hours per day for 5-6 weeks. Simple accommodations and three meals a day included. However, the price seemed high for such an endeavour. In the end, I decided to give it a shot, and took a bus to Nova Friburgo, then to Bom Jardim, then a taxi to Tibá. The taxi driver who had taken countless people to Tibá smiled when I told him where I was going. He said: “you will learn a lot at Tibá, and afterwards you’ll see the world in a completely different way”. These words helped ease my doubts.

And now, I'm already beginning to understand what the taxi driver meant....

To be continued…

(I’m tired so you'll have to wait in suspense until I continue this story!)

Permaculture at TIBA

Posted by .murph. |0 comments

Today, I'm heading off to TIBA for a five week internship. I'll have access to wi-fi and plan to update my blog on my time off there.

TIBA's Mission:

The main Mission of TIBÁ is the development, transference and application of low-cost technology and of low environmental impact, being accessible to many people as possible.

These techniques allow the training of people and communities for the creation or transformation of the places they live. This way they become an integral part of the building, of a healthy social network, being always:

Ecologically Correct, that is using mainly local materials with a low impact on the environment and promoting a responsible and moderate use of local resources and avoiding negative impact on the nature.

Economically Sound, in the sense of being available to all - whatever their economic status and even while being outside the usual market approach - and that will create opportunities for the proper functioning of the communities own economic relations.

Culturally Wealthy, from the moment they rescue and reinvent knowledge and techniques accumulated over the ages, but even more so to avoid purely mechanical goings-on. In this way it raises the creative thinking of those that interract with them.

Socially Right, permitting that the persons and communities get away from their role of mere consumers, making them capable again to participate as much as possible in the building of their existence and the places they live.

For more info go to: www.tibarose.com

Reflection

Posted by .murph. |0 comments

Yesterday marked one month that I’ve been in Brazil. I have written much on this blog, mostly because of the amount of reflecting I’ve been going through over the past few weeks.

Everyone reflects at some point in their life (or I’d like to hope), ‘what do I hope to achieve with my life?’, ‘where do I hope to go?’, ‘what will I stand up for?’, ‘how will my life be meaningful?’. But then it seems, borrowing Green Day’s lyrics: ‘life grabs us by the wrist and directs us where to go’. What’s really grabbing you is a job, school, relationships, routines. This gives you a temporary pause on self-reflection. Because after all life must go on.

But self-reflection is what defines how you interact in this show called life. How you perceive the different relationships in your life and the activities in which you partake. With enough self-reflection, a kind of paradigm shift occurs in the individual. A shift in perception, a shift in values which makes all the difference in life. While you still have your responsibilities in life: you begin to see them in a new light, making them a joy rather than a boring task. In a sense, is as if when life grabs you the wrist to direct where to go, you hold her hand, and consciously taking the next step forward with her, and taking the more scenic route. Living in the moments.

So here, without my Canadian friends and family, without a job, school or anykind of course and with a house to stay in, delicious food to eat, all my basic living necessities covered, well I’m left with the privilege of having hours upon hours  of free time. Self-reflection becomes inevitable.

Further prompting this self-reflection was the fact that I was rejected from two things which I was, well pretty confident I would achieve.  I went to a job interview to teach English offshore on oil platforms, and after a great interview, found out I was rejected. I also had applied to be a part of Canada World Youth’s core group of 20 individuals to attend Rio +20 Earth Summit…20 years after the initial Earth summit in Rio in ’92. Also got rejected.

So without a job (or the prospect of one) to keep my occupied, or a conference to start preparing for, well I got thrown back into deeper self-reflection. Which actually ended up being a good thing because I started realizing some tough stuff about myself and some changes I want to make. I’ve written them out in my journal but I’m not going to share the conclusions that I came up with on the blog. One, because I feel that they are too personal for this blog and; two, because by sharing them I will somehow believe that that means I’m making the changes I had decided upon. It’s oh so satisfying to share with people the ‘big changes you want to make in your life’…because by sharing them it feels like you’re halfway there. Well actions speak louder than words. So I would rather share with you the concrete actions I take as I take them. Let’s see where they take me.

And on another note, I haven’t only been reflecting with all this free time. I think if I don’t describe the other things I have been doing, you’ll get the wrong impression. As if I’m stuck in a room just thinking. Of course, I have been taking advantage of the fine weather and beautiful beaches. I’ve been biking, walking, swimming, surfing, reading, writing, studying Portuguese….all at the beautiful beach here (20 min bike ride from my grandmother’s place). I’ve been experimenting with fresh fruit smoothies every morning. My latest concoction gives me plenty of energy and tastes delicious: acai, guarana extract, mango and banana. Eating healthy lunches at drinking coconut water at my aunt Laura’s place. Going out for trips and delicious meals with my uncle Marnio and his family. Getting to know the awesome and extremely large Miranda side of my family. Continuing with Capoeira, doing a bit of yoga every morning.

It’s probably the best setting in the world for some positive self-reflection to occur!

.murph.

Never sign up for a service you don't need in Brazil

Posted by .murph. |1 comments

I learned how difficult it can be to cancel a service over the phone in Brazil.

Called a company called 'Oi' to setup internet at my grandmother's place. The next day, two people called my grandmother, claiming they were related to 'Oi' and told her she had to sign up for an Internet Provider. One was with 'Terra' and the other with 'UOL'. Both charging about R$15/month. Both of them gave a username and password.

Modem comes in from 'Oi' and after installing it, I need a username and password...neither the one from Terra or UOL worked. So I call up 'Oi'...who gives me a different username and password. I ask them what was the deal with 'Terra' and 'UOL'..."oh, we don't work with them...we already provide you with an internet provider, you need to cancel your service with them or you'll get charged extra on a different bill"

So I call up a number I got from Terra...which tells me I have to call another number. So I call the other number, get put on hold, and finally speak with someone. Tell them I want to cancel the service. They get all the information they need...and right when they're about to cancel...they hang up. Wow...I couldn't believe it. Gave them the benefit of the doubt and called again....get right to the point of cancelling, phone hangs up. Okay...now a pattern is starting to emerge. I try looking them up on Google, tons of people had the same problem. Tried going on to their website to cancel online. The cancel link is conveniently in size 4 font, nearly camouflaged at the very bottom of the page. Click it: "error". Try again: "error"...one more time: "error". So I call again: they hang up. On the fifth call: I threatened them that I had a lawyer with me, that I was recording the phone call, and if this hanging up business continued I would take legal action. Cancelled Terra. One down one to go.

Call up UOL to cancel my service with them. I'm already frustrated at this point. Speak to a guy, who asks me:

"What is your motive for cancelling?"

"I already have an internet provider...don't need your service"

"Well...we are more than just an internet provider...we have this and that and the list goes on"

"Great, well I'd still like to cancel"

"What's you're motive for cancelling?"

"I have an internet provider AND I don't need any of those extra services"

"Well, how about this, you're already going to pay for the first month, so keep the services for one month and decide after that point what you want to do"

"No I'd rather not, can you just cancel it as of today"

"But you're already paying for it...so why not just..."

"No, I don't care, take R$15 for the first month...I'm not going to use the services, so go ahead and cancel it now"

"But you don't understand, why do you want to cancel it if you're going to pay for it anyways"

"I just don't want it okay...isn't that reason enough?! Just cancel the service"

"I need a reason"

"You need a reason?! Okay, I'm leaving the country for 2 years, I don't need your service"

"Well I know you're lying"

"Yep, but you need a reason...just write that down...and let's move on and cancel this"

"You're sure you don't want to try it out for a month?"

"Yes, cancel it"

"Ok"

Wait for 15 minutes...he comes on every 2 minutes saying: "one moment"...."one moment"..."one moment"...

I'm a calm guy...but I was already shaking at this point. If he hung up the phone...I think I would start growing, turning green and I would feel the need to destroy something.

Thankfully, service was cancelled. Wow. Went into the kitchen grabbed some water, told my grandmother not to talk to me for the next 10 minutes....needed some cooling off after having gone through that.