The soul of Brazil in party mode for us

We were given a recommendation for some accommodation in Salvador at an apartment rental by some dutch people we met along the way. So that was where we were headed. Rudely e discovered that a taxi from the airport to centro historico would cost us 60 reis. Quite expensive we thought but our other options were not very attractive. Climbing into the taxi I wondered if the airport taxis of the world were united in any way. A thirty five minute taxi ride covered in 25 minutes seemed pretty ordinary unless you were in the cab. We knew nothing of Salvador however Serena the German girl travelling with us had spoken with the apartment owner before we left the airport so she at least was expecting us, As it turned out Salvador was in the middle of one of the most important festivals of the year so there were local tourists everywhere, partying on the street of our intended neighbourhood. The road closure we encountered was unexpected and when the taxi driver turned to us and said “terminar’ we knew we were in trouble. Climbing out of the taxi the driver explained to three local Policia Militar that these three tourists had accommodation in the area very nearby and that they should make sure we were safe. Yeah sure. There were two thousand people just on this street corner and they were going to look after three white tourists. I laughed, strapped on the back-pack and began walking confidently in the direction as pointed out by our driver. He indicated straight forward with a right turn at some point and then arriba (up). How hard can that be in a place without street signs or numbers in the dark on a party night with thousands of Salvadorian locals out for a good time?

Wearing seatbelts on these buses is obligatory

Surprise! It was a lot easier than expected or we were very lucky. I reached the first corner and looking right saw a hill that the road went up. The problem for us was that this was a five way intersection so we had two streets to choose from to go up. One went up steeper than the other and choosing that as a natural instinctive thing proved difficult for my companions but the faithfully followed and we were rewarded within a couple of minutes by an overhead sign indicating we had arrived at our hostal. In reality less than five minutes from were we were left by our driver but this could have turned out much worse. Non of us spoke any Portuguese so …

Dropping our bags we headed straight back out to the party zone. Why not? What a place. Not once did we fear for our safety. People were friendly, beer was cold and cheap and the food was smelling great. Live music was being played in several locations and the main square was packed with about 15000 people drinking and dancing and enjoying the festival. It was about 2am by the time we returned to our room and our bed. The party was still in full on mode and would last until about 5am so ear plugs were thhe order of the night and what followed was a really fitful nights sleep.

We spent he following days wandering aimlessly around the Salvador area having decided that three nights here would be appropriate. On our third day I elected to rise early and head out to the bus terminal to get our tickets for Lencois. My travel partners were clearly not morning people (I knew that of Kaylene and Serena just doubled the trouble). Managed the trip out to the terminal without any problems. Tourist information centres are so helpful. Getting back was not a problem either until I realised that the bus was not going to take me back to where I had caught it. OK so where was I going? By the time I had referenced myself to the map we were on our way back to the bus termnal so I did two trips out, not being prepared to hop off in unfamiliar territory. I knew the terminal and where to get buses there (but not where to hop off obviously) so I caught the next one back again. Following on a map I managed to get off and only have a short walk back to the familiar territory of my residential neighbourhood. Tickets in hand I was quite proud of my achievement. The girls simply said, ’where have you been, we were going to leave you a note to say we have gone out”. Love that appreciation thing.

Our hostess at the hostel was prepared to give us a ride to the bus terminal at 6am the following morning so we took up that option. Lencois was a 7 hour bus ride. It was unnerving just a little when the signs on the bus indicate obligatory wearing of seat belts and the 2^nd in charge on the bus (they always have conductors, I think to keep the drivers awake) walks through tell you to belt up.