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[Odler]

(by Nissage Cadet)

So it is! For the 2003 Brazil Carnival Expedition this quote fits quite well.

The Expedition has lived up to its mission. Contrary to popular belief, the expedition focus was not, and has never been fueled by physical attractions, sexual desires and fantasies jazzed up by testosterone galore. It was indeed powered by our innate impulses and the adventurous nature of human nature.

It is the caveat of the inexplicable, insatiable thirst of humans to see new places, escalate or climb new peaks or mountains, graze over new valleys, cliffs and new seas or more simply taste new food and enjoy new cultures.

In that sense, the expedition has reached its goals and objectives. Indeed, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. If on this journey, some members happen to be lucky enough to not only see and meet new people, beautiful women with friendly smile, but also to connect, so be it. I?ll concur with that today, tomorrow and always.

If on this journey and great adventure, one discovers Pelourinho in Bahia and learns about the slave trade of the early 1500s on the Atlantic cost of the Americas, and how Africans contributed to the enlightenment of this continent with their music, art, dance and, in fact, made their once forbidden, lowly and inferior customs the essence of Brazilian culture, so be it. I?ll concur with that today, tomorrow and always.

If on this journey one?s emotions in part reflects the male frustration in search of ?je ne sais quoi? (I don?t know what), one finds a soul mate, a rare beauty that changes ones life in the frame a bolt of lightning. So be it.

The Expedition spent a splendid seven-day vacation in Salvador de Bahia, enjoying carnival at its finest and simplest form where time does not matter and life seems to have a melody, harmony and a soul of its own. Life for the members of the Expedition was, indeed, reflective. The group grew, evolved and matured over that time. In all honesty, the members have learned to appreciate and respect each other with greater meaning, and more importantly become friends for the first time, once again and all over again.

If?if? and if? I?ll concur with that today, tomorrow and always.

And last but not least, the Sambadromo parade of champions in Rio de Janeiro was magnificent. Indeed, Rio was anticlimactic but it was a necessary respite where one becomes spectator to enjoy the greatest show on earth.

This 2003 Rio carnival was not all dancing, drinking, stabbing, mugging and killing. Sambadromo is an art form. Each Samba school in the parade of champions had a theme, subject matter that was being addressed. If art is said to be the most sincere expression of the soul, Sambadromo was all that and more.

With visual and auditory effects, Sambadromo reflected on hope, sorrow and anguish of the world. Themes such as hunger and famine, peace and love, justice and inequality were beautifully addressed and splendidly expressed with costumes, dances, floats, acts and of course music.

Samba, this Brazilian rhythm of drumbeats, goes to ones inner sanctity and soul. Once again I?ll go for that today, tomorrow and always.

Life is short and unpredictable. Life is a journey that sometime takes one to unexpected places. One is to cherish the moment, be all one can be, and achieve the best however best is best, while making time to have great times.

A great time was had by all and all eleven members of the Expedition. For that I am grateful and thankful

.

All is well that ends well!

Please, visit: http://www.jeanlouie.com/

Nissage Cadet

Sharon, Massachusetts

Sunday, March 16, 2003