Perpetual Wonder

I was too slow.

Or he was too fast.

Whichever it was, I didn’t see it coming. Didn’t know what hit me until I was down (luckily not out).

A silence came over those gathered, then people rushed in to ask whether I was ok. I was able to get up, I was able to smile. Couldn’t be too bad. Still, it hurt!

This was during my latest capoeira festival. A day of workshops, playing, learning. Finished with a few rounds of friendly sparring. I stepped into the roda (the circle in which capoeira is played). Brazilian tunes, clapping, song, everything to get a good energy.

He kicked, I ducked, counter-kick over his head, swinging around, getting up. Right in the path of a foot. That I had not seen coming!

So now my face is slightly more purple than it usually is. It hurts, but only a bit. It looks as though a pair of thugs had an end-of-the-world-party on my eye however. But I guess the two worst things were that I couldn’t play anymore for the remaining half an hour of the festival, and that I’m not quite hurt enough to wear a pirate eye-patch…

Of course, this is what happens in life. Sometimes you get hurt. Does that mean you should stop? Does it mean that I should stop playing capoeira? Of course not! I might be slightly more careful, but next week I’ll be out there again (blue eye and all), kicking ass (well, air. It is a no-contact sport after all. Officially.).

I really think it’s more important to get up with a smile than never to fall at all.

I am going to work on my reflexes though!