Blogs from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, South America - page 7

So shock horror, within the first first month I am pathetically behind in writing this blog. Finding time to summarise what you've been doing, whilst you've not been doing anything hugely significant is difficult. It has taken a bout of deadly man-flu to make time, and I shall endeavor to not completely bore the arse off my few readers... Ines was working for the most part during my week in Salvador, which gave me plenty of opportunity to be flat out lazy. My second full day in Brazil, she was working in the morning, so I weighed up my options and decided instead to eat breakfast and lounge on the balcony, watching the sea. Very energetic that sea, made me tired. When Ines arrived, we took a bus to Pelourinho (Pelo). Some Salvador background..... Salvador is ... read more

Our night bus from Recife was comfortable, but 14 hours on a bus is not quite the same as 14 hours in a bed, so we arrived in Salvador on May 20th feeling quite tired. Tourist information were very helpful though, so we managed to find a bus to the historical centre easily enough. Once we had reached the old centre (Pelourinho) we compared a few pousadas before settling for the most friendly. We dumped our bags and set off to explore Pelourinho and the hidden squares (largos) that can be found in amongst the colourful buildings, soaking up the atmosphere that strikes you as soon as you arrive. We took some great pictures of the Sao Franacisco church and convent, the Cathedral and the Palacio Rio Branco, all of which were very grand and added ... read more

Carnaval de Salvador The biggest street party in the world. Close to 3 million people in the road, seven days straight, drinking twenty out of twenty-four, sleeping every two days, sex on the beach/street/bus, the leading musicians in the country playing the same circuit, unrivaled levels of euphoria… Well, this is what the Brazilian tourist board and enthused residents tell you. However, from a neutral observer, can I really look my Mac in the screen and say it was as crazy as they claim it to be? Well actually yes. A mammoth event in the Bahian calendar, Carnaval is essentially a huge send-off to summer and ends on Ash Wednesday which signifies the beginning of Lent. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the Brazilian summer ends at the beginning of the English spring and the major ... read more

I know... I KNOW. I am disappointed in me too. I can't remember the last time I wrote a blog, but at least I am here now. A lot has been going on... so let's get started. Classes have finally gotten going for real now... After a few weeks of 'well I'll go check out this one today, that one tomorrow.. oh wait, it is at what campus now? what room? what professor? it's canceled? I see.' Still can't find my soccer class, but evidently it is taking place at a public school close to my house..yeah, we shall see about that. It appears as though as I am complaining, I know.. but really I like school here, when I can find the classes. People WANT to be there, and I typically find in-class discussions to ... read more

Wow, to bylo cos!!! Dojechalismy do Salvador rankiem (po kolejnej przejadzce nocnym autobusem,yyy), wladowalismy sie w lokalny autobus po tym gdy zadecydowalismy gdzie chcemy poszukac noclegu. Wybralismy dzielnice Pelo - serce Salvadoru gdzie ´wszystko´sie dzieje. Juz po kilku minutach w lokalnym autobusie puls nabral tempa i zaczal pojawiac sie usmiech z podekscytowania! Tak to jest to!!! Czyste ulice, urocze parki, rusztowania wzdluz glownych drog w dzielnicach przy plazy - przygotowania do Carnavalu!!!! Wow, bedzie sie dziac!!! Dojechalismy do centrum - Pelo, postanowilismy cos zjesc i wypic i wtedy szukac zakwaterowania. Podczas czekania na posilek udalo nam sie wyszperac niezle miejsce - tuz przy glownej uliczce w centrum AKCJI! Yes,yes,yes!! Muzyka, kolorowe budynki, urocze straganiki, capoiera i muzyczka na zywo tu i tam! Bylo to wtorek i okazalo sie, ze to jest TA noc, gdzie b... read more