Salvadoria according to ME

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Salvador and All That Jazz

Ok peeps. It is that time again. I have finally sort of managed to catch up on my blogging. So after the 11 hour bus ride which was not that bad actually, we finally got to Salvador. Was not sure where exactly to stay. There are two main districts for accomodation. Pelorinho and Barra. I stayed in the historical center which is basically Pelorinho.

My first impression of Salvador is that it is really laid back and people sure love to dance. The first night we got there the local school was playing in the streets advertising their music which was percussion. The beat is really catchy and next thing you know there are dozens of people following the band around the streets and dancing behind them. It was quite fun.

Trying the Steak Early

Later on, I went to a restaurant called MamaBahia which actually cooked a really good Argentine steak so I went nuts on that one. And the survey says...it was delicious and very tender. As it happens, the first day we got to Salvador, they were celebrating Salvador´s 457 birthday so I took some snapshots of people in costumed getting down to the beat if you will.

The next day, we checkout out the market called Mercado Modelo. You can buy all kinds of things in there from T-shirts, which I bought for about $3 each to capoeira instruments. There is also a very cool ´Elevator´which connects the lower part of the city with the upper part. To get to the market you have to take the elevator which is a whopping 5 cents ONE way. Then you wonder why your budget is drained...lol.

Pelorinho - Centro Historico

The historical district is really cool which lots of little restaurants on the side and as soon as you sit down, it begins. First the little kids come up to you trying to sell you friendship bracelets. You get to know the routine after a while so you just have fun with it. First they tell you it is free and they try to put it on your wrist. Then they magically ask you for money. I told the turd that he should not have said that it is free. In the market you can get about 12 of them for a dollar. Then comes the onslaught of..¨Hey, why don´t you buy my necklaces or bracelets...of course..special price just for you. It was amazing what happens when you just don´t care. At first the guy was asking about 40 realis for a cheap ass necklace, then I told him that I actually do not want it...so we ended the bargaining at 10 realis (about $5). Unfortunately for the vulcher, I still did not want it even though it was a bargain. I would rather have a beer to tell you the truth. AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID! One guy came by and asked me for food so I gave him the rest of my rice and salsa so he put it in a napkin and ate like never before.

The next day, we booked a tour to go to Morro Do Sao Paulo and Chapada Diamantina. We also rented a car and headed for Praia do Forte which is turtle beach in translation. We made around 6 to 7 loops around the area as we got lost even though we had a map. So a 52 km journey took around 2.5 hours. It was almost fun. Wayno was driving and I was supposedly navigating. But at last we did arrive and the rented money was worth it.

I Love Turtles

The beach was really nice and I took some great fotos so hopefully you will see some of them. It has a really chilling and quiet atmosphere and I could totally see myself relaxing there for about a week just doing nothing. I might show you one picture of the street with me in the middle exposing my hairy chest. You will simply love it people. LOVE IT! The funny thing is that I did not see even one friggin turtle but let us not get hung up on details.

Hooker Anyone?

So we got back and after we came back from our tours, I spend the last day in Salvador again. Someone informed me that almost all the hookers in the area ´cater´to tourists...in other words hookers. They naturally got excited like any lady would when they saw me so I played the game with my friends until it was time to break the bad news that I have no money or at least that I am not paying for sex and they quickly lose interest. Then they find out that I am also not paying for their drinks and the game is over before it even began. Oh well, I was still interested....one out of two ain´t bad...lol. ANYWAY.

The last day in Salvador, I spent in the hostel and met some people so we hung out and had a good time. I am sorry I didn´t have more time to spend in that city. Two days is simply not enough and doesn´t do it justice but the white brother has got to move on.

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Photos

Salvador - 457th Birthday
Here I is in front of a government building before the celebrations began

Salvador - The Elevator
The Elevator connects the upper city with the lower city.

Salvador - 457th Birthday
Local People Celebrating in their costumes

Praia Do Forte
The famous turtle beach with no turtles in sight

Praia Do Forte
Local kids risking theri lives for my pleasure. =)

Praia Do Fo
The chillin town

Comments

[Sue]

hello
Russ, It sure sounds like you are really enjoying the food and the ladies even when they are paid. lol Anyway I like reading the blogs and I am also happy that you are feeling much better and are up to tackling down all the street vendors and hookers.

[Shellski]

Hey stranger
Hey Rusty, I finally found a way to talk to you, (if you ever check this again). I lost your email but the search continues. It sounds like you are having a blast and I wish I was there. You can never get enough of cheap food and even cheaper hookers. I've also got some stories for you but they will have to wait until you get back. More good luck on your adventures and remember to play it safe. P.S. Brazilian rubber does not fall under that category.

[Admirer]

Hola
So I didnt know male hookers catered to tourists only ? Just kidding :-) I am waiting for the picture with you and the hairy chest to show up...i do have to admit that you seem to be shrinking from the beginning of the trip....are you eating ? is this wide spread shrinkage? I worry about these things pookie. Sounds like you are having fun though which is great.