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Well since I last blogged (and arent i good for doing it again so soon?) i have found some friends, learnt some german and a bit of portuguese, got sunburnt, not been robbed (touch wood) and arrived in Salvador, previously described as, Dangerous Salvador. And im sitting in a cafe with a man smoking cigars. Not that im with him, he is just there. How i am growing to appreciate our smoking ban back home.
From Turtle-less Town, Itaunas I got several buses to Itacare, where I arrived having slept very little after sitting next to a fat man who kept putting his legs in my space. I kept kneeing them back but it was a bit rank really. the experience has led me to the desire to try buying valium for the next (36 hour!) overnight bus. (only joking, mum).
I arrived bleary eyed to the lovely little beach town of Itacare where i was harranged as soon as I got off the bus and lucked out on a strange and not altogether trustworthy-looking Swiss man who took me to a hostel called Buddy´s that, strangely, is run by a couple from Crouch End (near where Adam lives). I was befriended by some lovely Germans who were very young and had forgotten all their ENglish from school which made for some interesting cnversations! And also, Aussies and spent a few days relaxing on the beaches which were all beautiful and I really should have gone surfing but it was too hot... lame i know. So cheers, Andrea, for the recommendation!
From there, the Germans and I got an overnight Microbus (so micro, all the luggage wouldnt fit and we ended up sleeping on it), then a ferry across the bay to salvador. which looks beautiful and quite like new york until you get up close and see the peeling paint and falling down buildings. we got a packed bus (interesting with the backpacks) to the Elevador which is a 72m high lift that wizzes you up to the Cidade Alta (upper city) where the old historic centre (and my hostel) is. I left the Germans there and wandered round the Pelorinho. Found my hostel which is brilliant, theres a pet dog, massive dorms, really nice staff and lots going on.
Salvador is meant to be pretty rife for theft so ive been keeping a watchful eye on my stuff. Other than that is a great place, i love it. very colourful with capoiera dancing everywhere (although they~´re pretty sneaky and if you even look in their direction they come running over with their tambourine demanding money). Women wearing massive dresses who serve Acaraje (that gloopy stuff i was going on about), and kids all in their samba uniform drumming their way down the streets practicing for Carnival.
And the museums are brilliant, after a bit of a cultural drought spending all that time on the beach im loving dousing myself in the Bahia history. God im a geek.
So tomorrow is my first Capoeira lesson and then the day after im heading rainforestwards....! Im going to see if i can put some picture on here now...
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