Adventures in Salvador
Salvador, Brazil
12.07.2009
Hello everyone!
Well I made it to Salvador, after an epic flight (10 hours), a very short layover in Sao Paolo, another flight, and a bus into the city. (I miraculously didn´t get lost walking from the bus stop to the hostel)
Salvador is a very cool city. The hostel Im staying at is in Pelourinho, the historic area of Salvador. It has very steep cobblestone streets and old colonial buildings...very beautiful. At night, Pelourinho is very well lit and full of tourist police, but right outside the neighbourhood it gets dangerous, so you cant have your camera or any extra money on you if you plan on leaving Pelo at night.
Today I walked around the city with 2 French guys and a guy from South Africa who are staying at my hostel. We started by just walking around Pelo, and saw some beautiful views of the lower city. The streets here are filled with artists showing off their beautiful paintings, and we even got to see some Capoeria! (A form of martial arts/dance native to Bahia) Then we took an elevator (yes, an elevator!) down to the Ciudad Baxia (lower city) and walked along the beautiful beaches there. I forgot to bring my bathing suit and really regretted it because it is SOOO hot here in Salvador!! I dont think Ive ever been in a place that is so humid! And its winter here, so I cant imaging how hot it gets in the summer.
Tomorrow, Im headed up the coast with a Belgian girl that I met at my hostel to this little beach town called Praia do Forte. Its very small and has beautiful beaches and a sea turtle reserve! I am going to stay there for a few days and work on my tan, and then head back to Salvador before flying to Rio (the bus takes 26 hours!)
I am starting to settle into the backpacking life...its different from what I expected, but I think Ill get used to it soon enough. Everyone is pretty friendly and I have met a lot of people who have been to the places in Brazil that I am planning to visit, so I got some good tips.
Not sure what I am doing tonight, but right now I just want a good, long shower!
MEG! Glad you made is safely. We miss you at work! So did you just forget your bathing suit on that day or in general, cause I'm kinda confused about how you're going to work on your tan if you forgot your bathing suit - maybe that's just me though. Remember your sunbrella - it must be awfully hot. I'm glad that our social story seemed to work as you have oodles of friends now! Blog away!
13.07.2009 by dc559