tourism

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The past (month?) has blurred together in a whirlwind of traveling, as I crossed through Bahia, from Bom Jesus da Lapa to Chapada Diamintina, to Salvador, and exited into the northern coastal state, Sergipe.

The common thread that ties these experiences together is tourism.

Bom Jesus da Lapa, my first stop. A long one. I waited here for the arrival of a new camera, and due to some difficulties with the mail in the interior, ended up stuck there a week. The city is a Catholic tourism destination, the second largest in Brazil, and during certain festivals recieves millions of tourists. Due to my unfortunate lodging situation (a room in the house of a strange family; a retarded son was kept in the adjoining room behind bars) and the unbearable heat, I made haste to exit.

I worked my way towards Chapada Diamintina - a park of epic proportions and lost worldish vistas and trendy towns of international backpacker culture. A few days, then onto Salvador.

In Salvador, I stayed in Pelourinho, the historic center. Also the tourism center, full of foreigners; English here is a second language, and can be heard in passing tourists or the few words known to the vendors and hustlers on the streets (buy, cheap, my friend, etc.). An unending downpour drenched the city for days, and I left for the North, in search of the sun and some tranquility.

I found both in Sergipe, and am now here in Aracaju, the capital city. I leave now for the interior, perhaps back into Bahia, Pernumbuco, Ceará, to arrive in Fortaleza in December.

I write this more as an update then a description of travel, so forgive the brevity and curt writing...until next time...

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