BAHIA: Some Like It HOT!!!!

 BAHIA AT NIGHT

So this is Bahia.
Its reputation precedes it. I’ve heard Salvador de Bahia, Brazil is a happening place. I’ve heard there is no other city like it in the world. I’ve heard it can’t be missed.
Since my ears were burning, I decided to go see for myself whether this cultural mecca could live up to the hype.
Now that I’ve been there, only two words come to mind.
Oh, My!
    Oh, My, what a beautiful, black city! Oh, My, what a unique culture! Oh, My, aren’t the people stunning and friendly! Oh, My, the food is mouthwatering! Oh, My, why didn’t I come here sooner?
    Not only are these good and accurate declarations, they are all excellent reasons to visit Bahia.
And, here’s another one - Bahia is hot in every sense of the word!
Whether you’re talking about the people, the culture, or the temperature – it all sizzles!

 BAHIA PIER

    The city, located near the equator, is visually stunning and culturally appealing. It’s an exotic, tropical locale with a spicy disposition and a saucy persona.
Whether your mission is food, museums, music, nightlife – or just to relax, Bahia, the third largest city in Brazil, is a metropolis with plenty to do and see.
And, to get you there, American Airlines has made it as easy as one, two, three.
Now, more than ever, there is no excuse not to make your way to Bahia.
    With an edict to increase visitors to the region, American Airlines has not only made it faster and more economical, the company also added daily, nonstop flights from Miami to Salvador de Bahia and to Recife, located in the northeast region of Brazil.
To that end, Bahia’s hospitality begins at the airport when - a "Baina do Acarage," (one of the women who still practices "Candomble," the ancient African religion of her enslaved ancestors) donned in a large, circular, white dress with colorful adornments, greets you with rainbow blushed ribbons of Senhor do Bonfim -signifying loyalty and belief to the inhabitants of Bahia.

 BRAZILIAN DANCER

If you’re not fluent in Portuguese, and you plan to take a tour of the city, you may want to hire a guide as much of the signage is in that language and not everyone speaks English. Of course, if you know some Spanish, you more than likely won’t be lost in translation.
    Now, it’s time to start your tour of an amazing city that boasts everything from rain forests to deserts.
    The identity of most cities is housed in their museums and their small towns. Bahia is no different. The culture and its significance are on view at the Afro-Brazilian Museum, located in the Central Historical section of the city.
Here are just some of the highlights: Praça Municipal, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Cruz Caída – Charriôt, Terreiro de Jesus – (the history of benediction), Laranjeira Street, Boutique Ilê, Project Axé, Jorge Amado’s House and Church Rosário dos Pretos – Carmo’s Church and Oludum Creative School.

 CHILDREN FROM OLODUM CREATIVE SCHOOL

In Bahia, the percussive impulse of Olodum has become an internationally known musical and cultural phenomenon. Olodum is the music of the culture, the music of the streets, the music of the heart.
Olodum, Salvador's best-known drumming group, gained international fame when it participated in Paul Simon's "Rhythm of the Saints" tour and recordings. The group, which has its own venue, the Casa do Olodum, has served as a backbone for the Black community of Salvador.
Music is big in Bahia. There is a rhythm swirling in the air that is infectious and powerful. One couldn’t stand still if they wanted to.

 ESCOLA OLODUM CREATIVE SCHOOL

    The Escola Olodum school for kids, launched by the Olodum Cultural Group, is a remarkable facility that caters to children having problems. Part of the curriculum includes the discipline of learning to play the drums, dance and team work. But, it goes even deeper. It’s about building self-worth and a sense of well-being, as well as a sense of satisfaction and inclusion.

 CHILDREN FROM ESCOLA OLODUM

    If you’re into arts and crafts and want to get a great deal on some authentic pieces of Brazilian art, be sure to visit the Mercado Modelo, a spacious indoor/outdoor marketplace. Great deals are sure to be had!

 MARKETPLACE

    When visiting Bahia, don’t limit yourself to only tourist attractions. You want to see and become familiar with the real Brazil. Immerse yourself into the Bahian Afro culture. Visit Acaraje da Cira, located at Largo de Itapuã as well as in Rio Vermelho on the Largo do Mariquito. It’s a restaurant where locals and visitors chow down on the acaraje, which is a deep-fried bread that's made with mashed beans that have had the skins removed. It’s a staple in the area.
    Buccaneers Restaurant is only a ferry ride away. The shrimp, pineapple and orange appetizer, fish entrée and ice cream with ginger are all too delicious to adequately describe.

GOOD EATIN'

    Another great place for dessert is Sorveteria Da Ribeira for some of the most incredible ice cream/gelato your tastebuds have ever experienced. It truly is not to be missed.
    Once your palate has been sufficed, be sure to check out The Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, which is the most famous of the Catholic churches in Bahia. It was built in the 18th century on a hill in the Itapagipe peninsula and is the subject of deep religious commitment by the people of Salvador. It is believed that the church has curative properties and that those seeking divine intervention often leave replicas of body parts or photographs of the infirm inside the church. It’s also the site of Festa do Senhor do Bonfim, a famous celebration held in January annually.

ONE OF MANY HISTORIC CHURCHES

    Legend has it that the number of churches located in Bahia is 365 – to match each day of the year. It hasn’t been verified, but there does seem to be a church on every corner.
    One of those is St. Francis Church (1708-1750), done in baroque and decked out with gold leafs. It’s considered one of the most beautiful churches in South America.
    Religion is a major part of the Bahian culture. While Catholicism is dominant, so, too, is Candomble, an Afro-Brazilian religion originated by the Yorubas in West Africa.
A local and tourist favorite is the 110-sq. meter Dique do Tororó, a lagoon decorated with 12 large “Orixas” statues, by artist Tati Moreno. Orixá is a divine figure that, in life, establishes a connection with certain natural forces such as thunder, wind, water, ocean, or the exercise of certain activities such as hunting, working with metals, the knowledge of properties of plants and its use.

 ORIXAS POND

       
WHERE TO STAY
After all of that sightseeing, it’s time to rest your head and relax at one of many hotels and/or resorts. Each has its own personality and offers something unique to its clientele.
The GRAN HOTEL STELLA MARIS RESORT, which is only seven kilometers from the International Airport of Salvador and the Convention Center of Bahi, is the first five-star all-inclusive hotel of the Sol Express Chain in Salvador. It has 334 apartments, including a presidential suite, one master suite, two special needs apartments, plus triple and conjugate apartments facing the sea and the garden.
The urban resort has wireless internet, cable television and 110 volt electricity (same as the U.S.).
    The International Restaurant serves up to 520 people. There is also a “kitchen restaurant” specializing in Italian food that serves 160 people and a Japanese restaurant for up to 60 people.
Highlights include a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a children’s swimming pool, poly-sports and squash court, Kid’s Club, health club, and a game room.

PELOURINHO
Pelourinho is as good a place as any to start your adventure. It’s the oldest part of town and has an elevator that eliminates the precipitous climb from the sea level harbor to the buildings situated in the mountainside. What you’ll find are numerous 16th century churches and monuments, along with thousands of multihued homes decked out with blue Portuguese picture tiles that line the narrow cobble-stoned streets.
If an out of the way, exquisite, five-star hotel is your thing, THE CONVENTO DO CARMO, the first luxury historic hotel in Brazil, is sure to please. A former convent dating back to the XVI Century, the hotel, located in Pelourinho, is decked out with colonial furniture and graceful works of art.  There are 79 elegant rooms and suites as well as internet access.  Dining is outrageous. Offerings include traditional Portuguese and contemporary cuisine, complemented with a special local touch. Extras include the L'Occitane SPA. Event and meeting space at CONVENTO DO CARMO can handle up to 300 persons.
    CACHOEIRA
For a great day trip from Salvador, experience the fascinating city of Cachoeira (which means waterfall), located near All Saints Bay. Soak in the city's unique history and colorful, mostly preserved colonial architecture. This tour also includes a visit to the town's churches - Igreja Matriz and the Ordem Terceira do Carmo.
Cachoeira is known for sugar cane, tobacco, cassavas, plantations and for The Boa Morte, or Good Death Festival, a celebration based on Brazilian faith that celebrates the end of slavery in Brazil and also pays homage to the Virgin Mary. The festival, held in August annually, is helmed by women over the age of 50 who are part of the Sisterhood of the Good Death, a charitable organization that began in Salvador at the turn of the 19th century, but moved to Cachoeira. The founding members were freed, black female slaves.
Back in the day the sisterhood, a organization totally controlled by mature women in a secret society, raised funds to purchase the freedom of slaves.
The Sisterhood’s objective was to end slavery and the oppression for their people. The Sisterhood continues to wield a great deal of influence in the area.
SANTA CRUZ restaurant, is nestled in the hills of Cachoeira. Actually a home, the food, which includes great steak, fish and chicken, is some good ‘ol home cookin’.

 SANTA CRUZ RESTAURANT

This is just a small offering of what Bahia, Pelourinho and Cachoeira have to offer. There is, oh, so much more. The country is teeming with highlights and infinite hidden cultural nuggets just waiting to be uncovered
So this is Bahia! 
Oh, My!
NEED TO KNOW BASIS:
American travelers rejoice! Brazil as of this writing, is a fabulous economical meeting or vacation spot because the exchange rate hugely favors the dollar.   
    GETTING TO BAHIA
***American Airlines also has flights from Miami to Belo Horizonte three times a week.