Salvador: from Acarajé to Yemanjá

Oh, Salvador. What a great city! To me it felt like the most non-European city of my trip, if you know what I mean. With my pale skin and my – according to Brazilian standards – ‘blonde’ hair I was clearly a minority. Add the fact that you can feel and see so many different religions living together, of which many have an African background and a historical centre in South-American baroque and you have a recipe for four exciting days.

I have to admit, though, that there was one person who gave some extra flavour to my Salvador trip: Michelle (left picture up). She hosted me at her artist residence in Santo Antônio, along with other crazy and fun artists. You can already see that the architecture gives you a lot of input when it comes to colours and details. The picture on the right is the Dutch consulate, by the way.

Salvador is hot. Very hot. Which means people prefer to take it easy – and dogs too.
The elevator who connects the upper and the lower city, Elevador Lacerda, is a must-do. It’ll cost you only a couple of cents and the view is incredible.

When you go to Salvador you can’t escape the fact that you have to visit the churches. They are simply too pretty.

I really liked this shop with the statue of Yemanjá, the orixá (aka goddess) of the sea, according to the candomblé religion.

Religion and superstition is everywhere in Salvador. One of the typical things to do is go to the church of Bonfim, full name ‘Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim’. Tourists know it especially because of the wishing bracelets. Put it around your wrist with three knots, make three wishes and wait till it falls off. Then your wishes will come true. It’s just that easy.


I had to have some typical food of Bahia, which means one thing: I had to eat acarajé (left picture). Michelle was also so friendly to take me to a local market to shop for ingredients and then she made some great Brazilian soul food with meat, beans, fresh vegetables, rice, farofa (toasted manioc flour mixture) and much more. It was so delicious! Michelle also took me to a samba bar at night and we partied until the morning. I can tell you one thing: alcohol makes it easier to speak Portuguese.

To Michelle: MUITO OBRIGADO, QUERIDA! TENHO MUITO SAUDADES DE VOCÊ! BEIJOS PRA VOCÊ E OS OUTROS!

Vincent