Exploring the Living Museum of Brazil: Salvador City

Global Travel Stop No. 23: Salvador 🇧🇷 Founded in 1549, Salvador is the oldest (and arguably the most beautiful) city in Brazil. The city faces west, offering a view of sunsets and twilight skies almost every day. In winter, you can even spot whales from high vantage points. 🐳 The entire city feels like a living museum, having given birth to music genres such as bossa nova and samba, and it has intricate connections with Jamaica. It is also home to the largest African diaspora, with food that is tastier compared to the south, featuring a unique chili sauce made with onions and peppers, distinct from other states. The wealth disparity here is stark, with many homeless individuals alongside the centro. Yet, it is incredibly moving, composed of all its fragments: The racing cyclists (as seen in my previous posts), the cheerful children in the old town bouncing and wishing me a good afternoon, the little girl selling cakes on a rainy night, people spontaneously gathering in the square to play music, the packed bars on Monday nights with samba melodies that are so captivating; 🚴‍♂️🎶‍♀️🎵 On the beach, vendors offering various services and foods, making a living while dancing to the music; 🏖️🍹💃 On Sunday afternoons, the old town is nearly deserted, with dogs seeking shade from the hot weather, the sunlight so intense it illuminates the dilapidated buildings, broken streets, homeless individuals, and the sea reflecting a thousand rays of light; 🌞🐕🏘️ The waiter who mistook me for Japanese and recommended a cultural festival, then said goodbye nervously; 🇯🇵🙏 The warm Airbnb host who actively participates in the city's cultural activities; 🏡🎉 The place I stayed, hidden among gardens, with the sound of frogs at night during a thunderstorm, and the sight of greenery each morning upon opening the window; 🌳🐸 The slow-setting sun, with people on the beach applauding and cheering, celebrating the end of the day... 🌅👏 #Travelogue #GlobalTravel #TravelTips #BrazilTravel 🌍🧳🌟