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Find Your Smile: LIVE


#SoManyReasonsToSmile2020
"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, 
to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences."
Back in 2010, I travelled to Brazil with two friends from Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada). 
We spent quite some time exploring what I still consider 
one of the most vibrant countries in the world. 
Our journey began in Salvador, Bahia where one of my cousins lived at the time. 
Salvadors' Afro-Brazilian culture completely won me over. 
Its architecture, its music, its dancing and its cuisine was all so fascinating to me. 


Our visits to the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, 
to Mercado Modelo and the Historic Center known as Pelourinho 
showed us that Salvador was full of history. 
While travelling through the streets, 
we often came across some wonderful performances. 
Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, 
acrobatics and music 
or Axé, a popular music genre which originated in Salvador, 
were often at the center of it all. 
We spent plenty of time exploring the most touristy areas of town, 
however we were lucky to also experience eating different types of foods, 
encountering various animals, 
slacklining on the beautiful beaches, volunteering in some unfortunate favelas, 
participating in a maculelê class and attending a really unique type of concert. 

 

After spending some time in Salvador with my cousin and her family, my friends and I headed to Chapada Diamantina, a national park a few hours away that hid multiple natural treasures. We hiked up mountains, visited waterfalls, went rock climbing, explored caves, and swam in a very special pool of water with the bluest water I had ever seen.

Our next stop was Rio de Janeiro, a very large and well-known Brazilian city. 
In Rio we did what tourists do: walk along Copacabana beach, 
ride a cable car up to Sugarloaf mountain, visit the iconic Maracana soccer stadium, 
watch a football game and go to see Christ the Redeemer, 
one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.  


Our last destination was Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall in the world 
which one can find on the border of Brazil and Argentina. 
Despite feeling sick during my time there, 
I was grateful to experience both sides of the falls, 
the Brazilian side as well as the Argentinian side, 
which offered different views of this breathtaking natural gem. 


My trip to Brazil was just the beginning of what has now become 
a long list of globe-trotting adventures. 
Travelling around the world and living in different countries 
has led me to see interesting places, to learn about exciting cultures, 
to meet inspiring people and to try thrilling things. 

Who would have ever thought that I would one day be working abroad, 
experiencing various roles as an educator and a fitness coach, 
visiting historic sights around the world, 
volunteering in developing countries, 
running marathons, playing soccer against some top notch players 
and CrossFitting all around South East Asia?
Pursuing new experiences over the years has been incredibly exciting and enriching, 
however the journey thus far hasn’t been a perfectly smooth ride. 
Along the way, there has been illness, language barriers, 
cultural differences, delayed flights, safety concerns, dirty hotels, dodgy food, 
home sickness, defeat and heartbreak. 
Believe it or not though, many of my most memorable experiences 
have often followed my most challenging moments. 
Somehow, I have got a way of constantly readjusting, 
embracing change, 
learning from every experience - good or bad, 
and always finding ways to make the most of everything that comes my way. 
Some say life is like a roller coaster; 
that it has its ups and downs, 
and that it is our choice to scream or throw our hands up and enjoy the ride. 

 I've made my choice, now it's your turn.

LIVE and find your smile!

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