The three week mark is nearing and I
don't really know where the time went. That's a sign that Barra has
been good to us. We rented a one bedroom apartment in Barra ( the
double r is pronounced like an h), a neighbourhood in Salvador de Bahia. It's an upscale neighbourhood with all the amenities you would
expect, with the added touch of the beach being only five minutes
away. Having our own apartment feels like a luxury after all this
hosteling and we have loved the simple pleasures of Salvador life.
Early Morning Awakening
I forgot our cellphone on the boat we
took to Manaus. It was an old phone anyway, nothing important, and we
really only used the alarm on it. There isn't a need for an alarm
here though. The city awakes early and we awake to the chirping of
beautiful, green, parakeets in a mango tree just outside our window.
The ancient mango tree is nestled between a concrete jungle of houses
and it's home to what sounds like hundreds of birds. It's as if the
tree is an ancient site and all the birds know to go to this special
place. Even on the days we wanted to sleep in, it wasn't happening.
So every morning we wake around 7:30am and I don't mind it at all.
Fruits
There are fruit vendors on every second
street corner near our apartment. You cannot miss the lady selling
Jack fruit, just follow your nose and it will lead you to her. For
two weeks straight, breakfast has been standard American, with a side
of deliciously fabulous fruit salad. Jack fruit, guava, mango, and
papaya for breakfast every day. I could seriously get used to this!
But I do think my waistline is expanding a little.
Sunday is Beach Day
I remember this from the last time we
were in Brazil. Sunday is beach day. The whole country heads to the
beach and it's totally a lazy day. You arrive at the beach, and
someone will set you up nicely-chair, umbrella, beer, whatever you
need. More than remote beaches, we like the city beaches because it's
where you see the locals. The water is wonderfully warm, especially
if you arrive in the afternoon. And once your get in your chair, you
never have to get up-the perfectly chilled green coconut comes to
you.
Sunset Walks
After the afternoon sun dies down, the
boardwalk comes alive with runners, skateboarders and those just
leisurely taking a walk. I have seen nicer sunsets, but something
about taking a walk every day in the evenings, feeling the warm
breeze, and watching the sunset over the lighthouse, it never gets
tiring for me.
Home-cooked Meals
Eating-out in Barra is not cheap. We
have only gone out once to eat, and between the meal, drinks and tip,
the bill was at 100 reais, which is about 50 dollars. But more than
that, I do not want to eat out. I miss cooking, and I miss eating my
vegetables. The kitchen in our apartment is far from glamourous, (as
you can see from the photo) but three weeks of home-cooked meals has
been a delight!
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