đ§đ· Salvador, Brazil â The Unstoppable Rhythm of Drums
Another weekend getaway, this time with friends to Salvador, Brazilâa city Iâd heard about even before coming to Brazil, a place that, in my mind, was all about vibrant colors and infectious rhythms. As one of the most Afro-representative cities in Latin American culture, my initial impression was just a place with high color saturation. But from the very first day, I felt an instant connectionâeverywhere, the pulse of percussion, colorful colonial buildings, and radiant smiles with gleaming white teeth. đš Bahiacafe Hotel in the Pelourinho historic district was our choice. Within walking distance to all the old town attractions, its common areas oozed local charm with bold, saturated colors, and the rooms were clean and cozy. The only downsides? The weekend music in the old town can get loud, and the twin beds were a bit narrowâjust slightly wider than train sleeper berths. Still, the prime location and friendly English-speaking staff made it worth it. Price: ~„900/night. đ Food Adventures: â Cafelier â Accidentally ordered coffee with caipirinha (Brazilâs national cocktail)âsurprisingly intoxicating! By 2 PM, I was blissfully tipsy. The pasta was great, but the grilled chicken (basically unseasoned chicken breast) was a miss. The sea-view seating and retro vibe made it worth visiting, though. đœïž Mariposa Pelourinho â Tried Moqueca (a coconut milk-based seafood stew, similar to Thai curry but with Brazilian flair). Asked for less salt, and it was rich and flavorful. Paired it with Roska com frutas (fruit-infused vodka)ârefreshing and perfect with the dish. Live guitar music set the mood, and despite the slightly sketchy area at night, a police car parked nearby made me feel safe enough to dash back to the hotel afterward. đ¶ Highlights of the Day: Spontaneous drum circlesâcouldnât resist joining in! Baroque church murals and the historic site where Michael Jackson filmed They Donât Care About Us. Colorful colonial buildings and street artâjust walking around was pure joy. Cocoa fruit cocktailâserved in a cocoa pod with fresh pulp and sugarcane liquor. Açai ice cream (not too sweet!) from an old elevator stationâway better than SĂŁo Pauloâs chain gelatos. Sunset by the docksâfelt like Kennedy Town in Hong Kong, yet literally on the other side of the planet. đ„ The Best Moment? While eating ice cream, we stumbled upon a drum band rehearsing in the square. Their raw energy and passion were mesmerizingâproof that music truly transcends borders. Three months in the Americas, and Iâve collected so many life-changing moments. Grateful for every second. đâš #Salvador #Brazil #TravelDiaries