As I imagined, getting off the ship (after 12 days) in Salvador was just what I needed. As much as I love the challenge of running on a treadmill while bouncing along the ocean, I forgot how good it felt to run outside, as a group of us did at 6 each morning. I was also able to buy the items I needed to make my own coffee on the ship, and as trivial as that sounds, it was essential. But more importantly, our first port made me realize what everyone who has sailed before was raving about. Almost no one spoke English in Salvador, but we communicated with gestures and smiles, and the people in the Pelourinho and outdoor markets seemed happy to barter with the "Americanos" on the ship, and frequently yelled out "Obama."
While many people flew to Rio or went to the Amazon during our 5 days, I stayed in Salvador and did a 15 km bikeride in Pituacu park (ecological reserve) with a group, and a ferry boat trip to Itaparica island in the rain. A bunch of us also took cabs one afternoon to the local Barra beach, where it was even more obvious that we were Americans. I also went to a condomble, a Brazilian religious ceremony, where everyone wears white. So a group of us put together outfits that more or less conformed (like an inside out SAS white t-shirt) to the dress code. Pictures weren't allowed, but it was an amazing visual experience.
The food in Salvador has an African influence....lots of meats (lamb, oxtail, beef, tongue, etc.) shellfish, coconut, rice and spices. A local cooking school offered a buffet lunch and dinner, and a number of us went there to get a sampling of the cuisine. I have a number of color and texture issues with food but was proud of the fact I tried some things that resembled baby poo and survived.
We're all back to the routine of classes for the 7 days we sail until Namibia. We're also losing an hour a night, for 5 nights. And I believe I've finally found my "sea legs"---that, or I just got tired of complaining about not feeling quite right each day. So between that and good coffee, all is well.
Pictures: Cathy at a Brazilian grocery buying chocolate and coffee, some SAS friends on the beach, another view of the beach, the MV Explorer ship at night, a shot from the ferry on the way to Itaparica island.
