Salvador Bahia

Brazil is a country with a spark and its colonial cities convey well their incredible history, their remarkable traditions and their infamous past. I have been several years ago in Parati, Ouro Preto and other places in the south. But i had never been to Salvador and this nomadic travel starts and terminates here - you can spend  a  week  here  without  being  bored.

Pelurinho, the old town, make you feel good with its colors, its music, his traditional customs men and women wear in the street and, of course, with its characteristic food, African in spirit but with the fantastic flavours brought by the local sun. The sincere way  people laughs, their sing-a-song way of talking are  so  captivating  that  even a  wild  bore  like  me  gets  excited  in  the restless  streets  and open air  cafes where  music  is  played  all day  long.

If you care to know about the roots and the traditions of the town go to the Olodum center  near  the Igresia de Sao  Francisco, to the casa di Benim and to the casa do Nigeria close to the Igresia Nossa Senhora do Rosario dos Pretos and to the Museo Afro-Brasileiro in  the  main  square. The you can learn  about the Yoruba culture and get a glimpse of the life lived  by the about the 4.5 millions people whi where taken away from their country to work in the sugarcane fields of central and south America by the Portuguese. The view is shocking, at the minimum. And  do not forget  about the Steve Biko center in front of Carmo monastery and, of course, Praca reggae  (Bob Marley square).   

Just wander in the street, stop where you hear percussions or songs, breath the scent and  the  mood  and you will remember the place forever.

One advice.  The  best  restaurants  in  the center  are  after  the convent  of Carmo  toward Forte Santo Antonio not  in  Pelourinho. It is  just  20  minutes  walk  and  it  is  worth.