4 Dec 2007 – MSC Sinfonia – Day 16 – Salvador
Tuesday
Unlike yesterday – we decided to take a walking tour of Salvador. With the sun backing on our heads and the city most of the way up on the hill over looking the harbour, this was really an excuse to avoid aimless walking around. In a city of over 2 million where you don’t speak the language, it just seemed better.
If you are not familiar with Salvador, Brazil – the short synopsis : Established by the Portuguese – it was their entry way into Brazil from the 1500s on. This includes the slavers of course, who needed workers for the sugar cane plantations.
Travel
The city itself varies from new buildings back to those which are abdonded and falling apart.
As a result, the city is quite racially mixed between European, Native peoples and African Origin individuals. Slaving ended with a rather nasty rebellion in the early 1800s, but listening to the guide a certain amount of differential treatment and attitudes seem to remain to this day.
Did I mention that today was also St Barbara’s Day – with the expected street processions, celebrations and general milling around? Red, apparently, is the key celebration colour.
There are aspects of the city which seem very Portuguese – fromt the lighthouse through doors seen through out the city. And yes, there were many areas of the black/white mosaic sidewalks.
Knitting
Mein Weg is progressing well. Since I want the fronts and backs to match, I have a steek between the two halves.
Audio Books
Making Money by Terry Pratchett
Heading back to sea at the end of the day, you really notice when the sun sets.
-Holly
