New friends, big party, sore feet....

Top photo: a fraction of the million or so people who showed up for Carnival last night.
Middle photo: A true African lunch-YUM (even made with real palm oil!)
Bottom photo: beautiful historic Salvador-being renewed by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage sight


Yesterday at breakfast I met two teachers from an international school here in Brazil (the one where I will be for the conference in three weeks). My little posada only has five rooms and they are in the room next to mine. YAY. They invited me to tag along for their adventures all day. Along the way I met another teacher from that school and two Australian teachers from Sao Paulo. We went to the market, explored the historic district and ended up eating a late lunch at an alley cafe' while listening to drummers, watching dancing in the street, and gawking at the people passing by in their Carnival finery.

For my nighttime adventure, I met up with ANOTHER American woman staying at my posada (that makes 3 out of 5 rooms filled with single American women-what are the chances?). We had both purchased a ticket to watch the parade from a "private"balcony. We had to wear a special peach t-shirt for this honor (see top photo to see how "special" we really were-LOL). Well, Carnival in Baha turns out to be a lollapalooza type of band party only the bands come to you. They travel on trucks down the road stopping for mini concerts along the way. The prestige of the "balcony area" they are in front of, detetermines how long they stop. Our balcony was the last and most prestigious so we got 45 min. shows from each. There were 40 groups/singers including Will.I.Am...from 3 PM until 5 AM. We stayed from 6-10 and called it a night. WOW...

We ended up back in the historic district where a more low key but still amazing celebration was taking place. Along with all the beautiful hippies and locals, we enjoyed the reggae and samba shows until 1 AM. Jane, my new friend who experienced all this with me, is a 30+ something artist from NYC on a month long volunteering vacation. Her boldness with everyone and willingness to get lost, be late, and have people laugh at her mixed up attempts to speak Portuguese, inspired me.

Today, taking a cue from Jane, I walked around the historic district and market by myself . I filled my bag with cool things for my new apartment and gifts for loved ones. I was bold-trying out some Portuguese and taking pictures everywhere I went. One of my favorite spots I found is the only African Catholic Church in South America. They even dance the Samba during services (missed that part, though).

What was I thinking? Last night I was thinking that I was glad I "did Carnival" but I was happy to leave by 10 PM. I didn't know the singers or understand the songs. My feet are killing me but the two hill hike into the historic district is worth the pain. I am enjoying my meals with my Kindle as entertainment. I am hoping I have room to take home the things I bought (not a lot, just bulky). I am nosy and wonder what is up with the "family life" of the host of my posada. I enjoy being back in a place where I can walk to dinner or hear live music or take an evening stroll just for fun. This vacation is gong by too quickly. I am wishing I could have booked the ticket to Argentina in April.