Welcome to the greatest show on earth.. sort of.. but really cool, truly..

Great payaso (clown). Lovin the pants!

I find it appropriate to tell of the tale of my first ever trip to the circus! I laugh because it's an international thing, but Barnum and Bailey from the States usually is the must see. They were in Chicago when I was a senior in college, and Ariel and I had decided to go.. and then we didn't. I guess my first time to the big top would be with Maria Sol instead.

Circo Rodas is the name, and it's not your typical spiel. I guess I always figured to find a ring in the center and lots of animals walking about. This one had no animals, but it did have its fair share of acrobatics and scantily clad ladies. Sol overheard one kiddo ask, "Aren't those women cold, daddy?"

A famous contortionist. Truly, blown away.

"Yes son.." as we all took a moment to look out our exhaled breath.

She asked me afterward about circuses for US, and I replied that I had never been, but I think they might be a little bit more covered. With the exception of those that appear in Las Vegas.

Moving on.. the phrase that seems to continue to come to mind is "Que impresionante!" Or, "How impressive!" We started with a juggler, then the clowns, then the people who do crazy stunts with fabric hanging from the ceiling (is there a shorter name for that?), then families who do acrobatic craziness together (seriously, there should be a unique name for this one too), etc. etc.

The whole cast.

There was a guy who sang in English. Sol turned to me, "Is he singing that correctly?" I chuckled back, "Not quite." Then there was a knife thrower. Then these two guys from Chile who went round and round in some sort of.. well I don't know what to call it:

Yeah, that thing.

But the most incredible was near the end: the contortionist already pictured in this post (the one with the bow and arrow being aimed with her feet!). I was in so much awe of how controlled she was, and how she could stay in position for more than just a few seconds, supported only by one hand most times! Buenisimo!

The show's final moment included 7 motorcyclist in a tiny ball. You can just click here to see it.

In conclusion, we were blown away by every part. I hope to include more circuses in my lifetime, and I am even more enthusiastic to teach juggling starting in August! Sol and I in the meantime are going to work on becoming clowns. It just looks like too much fun to skip. Chau!