Bem-vindo a Salvador!

Bem-vindo a Salvador!

Today we went on a panoramic tour of Salvador, Bahia. At first glance, Salvador appeared to be like many other cities around the world outside of the US. However, as we continued to explore and delve deeper into the city, it became evident that Salvador is a special place. This tour was far more than the average tour you might receive as a tourist in other cities. It is so unique because Salvador’s history is so rich! I was astounded when I learned how the people of Salvador have preserved so many traditions from their African heritage. On this tour, we learned about Candomble, an official religion, which was disguised and infused into Catholicism during a time of religious persecution in the past. Some of the main gods and goddesses, called “orishas”, that comprise this religion can be found in various locations around the city. We had the opportunity to enter a house of Yemoja, goddess of the ocean. We also passed this area in the upper city where statues of the most famous orishas were located. I was in complete awe at how much Salvador’s African history has been preserved and interwoven into the city’s architecture.

The tour began in the “upper” region of Salvador, which is also a wealthy region in comparison to the “lower” part of the city. The differences between the upper and lower cities can be observed aesthetically in the architecture and how the buildings are maintained. The wealthier areas appeared to be more of a tourist hotspot in comparison to the lower part of the city.  In the lower city, life seemed more peaceful and enjoyable. People were sitting outside talking, others were dancing, and some were simply shopping at a local market. It seemed as though people really took the time to enjoy life in this area. This was a huge contrast to the hustle and bustle that was so customary in the upper city. Even so, what I’ve noticed overall is that people are generally happy in Salvador. There is a sense of joy and tranquility that blankets the city.

We ended the day by sharing a meal at Boi Pretu which was absolutely delicious! The restaurant has a buffet-style service. It’s an all you can eat restaurant with a twist. The servers bring the food to you. I was determined to be open and try new things and I am so glad that I did. We were served so many types of meat, and I was satisfied with all of them! The desserts were amazing and I left the restaurant stuffed! I recommend this place to anyone who decides to visit Salvador because I am certain they will not be disappointed.

Overall, I had an incredible day! I learned a lot about Salvador’s history and how the fusion of so many races and cultural beliefs have manifested into what we see today. I’m excited to learn more and absorb as much as I can during my stay here!

 

-Victoria Sanon