Capoeira and Caipirinhas

Hello chums, you join us in San Salvador de Bahia, truly the capital of dancing, drumming and drinking Brazil. Everyone talks about the one in Rio, but if we were to come back to go to Carnaval, we would definitely come here. Anthony finally joined us in Rio after his hideously delayed flight and we spent a pleasant few days seeing the sights, lying on the beach and generally enjoying his company. We then flew a few hours up the coast to Salvador which was where the Portuguese first landed and hence the original colonial capital. It was also the centre of the African slave trade and the majority of the remaining population are of African descent. It´s an amazing place. Very pretty old buildings and cobbled streets abound, but unlike some of the other colonial towns we´ve been to, they´ve managed to retain a really strong local community here, and hence it has a fantastic atmosphere and energy that the other places just don´t have. It´s not a city to come to if you want peace and quiet (we´ve been lulled to sleep every night by pounding drums), but they certainly know how to enjoy themselves.

Anthony has been taking lessons in Capoeira and Caipirinha, and, despite diligent study of both, we have come to the conclusion that the latter is his stronger subject. Capoeira is a type of martial art originating from an African tribal ritual where young men used to fight to decided who would get a particular girl. The Portuguese banned the fighting so the slaves disguised it with dancing and drumming and it´s now a very hypnotic combination of all three. It´s incredible to watch, Anthony was so impressed he signed up for a few lessons. I think it´s a good idea that Sam and I decided against it. Tony is significantly fitter than both of us and he returned every day with a very pained grimace on his face. Caipirinha, on the other hand, is a very pleasant beverage made from sugar cane spirit and limes. Sounds easy eh? Not so straightforward if you combine it with trying to dance samba, salsa or forro. True to form, Anthony did a pretty respectable job while Sam and I watched, occasionally venturing onto the floor to bounce around for a bit and then sitting down again to gaze in admiration at the locals who look like they could do this before they could walk.

We are planning to enjoy the independence day celebrations today (you´ve guessed it, more drumming and dancing in the street) and then head back to Rio for a few more days before we come home. Very excited about seeing you all!

Love Sam and Liz
xxx