salvador, bahia.

WE'RE IN BAHIA!

...salvador to be exact :)

first day excitement!

farrol da barra 

in front of Brazil's first fort! 

Elevator Lacerda, Brazil's biggest public elevator which began working in 1869.

view from the elevator

view from the elevator

mercado modelo!
We visited this market which is one of Salvador's biggest tourist attractions.  It is known as the largest handcraft Shopping in Brazil with more than 250 shops. If you visit the underground of the building, several tunnels are located that were found during a renovation.  Newley arrived slaves used to be put down there when they arrived to Brazil, and since it is located below sea level it is constantly flooded.  The slaves would just drown. :(

One of our first stops was to the Basilica Cathedral.  It was built in the early 17th century and is in the Baroque style. This Basilica was where the first European Royal Family attended Mass in the America's- the Portuguese Royal Family. It is covered in gold & so beautiful! 

 Just outside the Basilica is the first school of Medicine of Brazil, inaugurated in 1808.

Later on, we wandered the streets in search of new museums/churches/sites to see! 

At times I felt like I must be in Italy or France or something because it was just so beautiful with all the little cafes and cobble stone streets. 

Salvador is full of artists! We see art like this everywhere & we have bought a bunch to bring home :)

This is the Church of Our Lady of Rosary of Black People.

We attended Catholic Mass there on Tuesday Night which was actually a mix between Candomble & Mass. It was so interesting to hear the music & drums & see the people singing and clapping to their music. Candomble is huge here in Bahia & it's a huge part of their history & culture since it comes from Africa & the majority of the population here is of African descent. (Brazil was the highest importer of slaves than any other country in the world I believe)

This is the type of clothes a typical, native "baiana" would wear back in the day :) Do you see the African influence in her dressing style?

This is acaraje, a food that is widely popular here in Bahia. You can find it on any street corner. You can't come to Bahia without at least TRYING acaraje :P 

I wish I could post more but my time is coming to a close (had to pay for hotel internet)!

Salvador is beautiful. I'm so happy to be here! I will try to post in more detail next time.