The streets around the port area are packed with people – it’s the business district, with more banks than anything else, and it’s clogged with people and cars. We find the elevator that takes us up to the old town pretty easily. It’s about a quarter mile to the left of the ship with a cute little market beginning to open up right outside. $0.05 Reals each, and we ride up to the top of the hill where we spill out onto a square with a concert beginning to take place. The old town is a very walkable area, with cathedrals and old buildings to explore. We hit the gold leafed cathedral ($2 Reals each) and wander through the attached halls of the sacristy. The artwork and ceiling tiles are beautiful and would probably hold more interest if it weren’t so doggone hot (yeah, the Bavarian pup is even feeling it now – I am just not cut out for these hot weather climes – give me my snow capped alps please!).
After wandering through the cobblestone streets filled with shop after shop of Brazilian/African artifacts, clothing and trinkets, we run into Andrea and hubby in the main square. We chat for a while, then head off again in search of beer and wine. There isn’t a grocery or mini market in sight. No where. Everyone we ask says we have to take a bus – anything is 20 minutes away – where do these people shop? It’s odd! As we wander we happen upon a nice jewelry store that has these large silver hangers with silver fruit hanging from them (these things are all over and Cathy really wants to know what they are). The owner, a lovely young man who spoke great English, explained these are symbols of African freedom that were given to the slaves when they worked for their masters. When the slave first came to work, they were given the holder (in gold), which depicts birds on each end, to symbolize freedom. Each year the slave worked, she (he only mentioned women, so…..) was given a gold fruit to hang off the holder. Once the slave had worked 15 years, they had filled up their holder and were given freedom. The holder and fruits then became not only the symbol of their newfound freedom, but also the money they needed to set up a household on their own (they could trade the gold in for living money). A great story!
The shop owner also helped up find our beer! As we were leaving, we asked him where we could buy some beer. He negotiated with the internet café next door to sell us beer at a discounted price! Awesome! So not only did we get our little history lesson, we also scored beer for the crossing and managed to handle our emails! Perfect! Because now it is about noon and it is too damn hot to do anything but go back to the ship!
We head back down the elevator, wander through the market – which had cool wooden things – but are too hot to even bother! We trudge back to the ship to cool down – boy does that air conditioning feel good – and head up to the Brazilian buffet for lunch. Sampled all the Brazilian specialties, like beef and chicken skewers (didn’t need to go to the churrasceria after all!), beef stew and shrimps in a coconut/tamarind type sauce. Food is not an issue on this ship (or maybe I should say it is!!). Were offered dinner in Toscana (that’s never happened before) and snapped it up!
Ran to the laundry to do another load (managed to make it before the hordes came back), snoozed while waiting for it to dry, then headed outside one last time for phones and another beer run (got lucky and found a weird little grocery at the end of the “safety” zone –didn’t look like we should walk further away from the ship past this store).
Back on board, we cooled off, hit the gym, then the 2 fers at Martini’s this time. Sipped our drinks until it was time for dinner – then off to Toscana. The bread up there is just too much! And Cathy can’t keep her hands off it – combined with the roasted garlic and the oil and balsamic vinegar, there’s really no need for the real food! We are responsible tonight: Ed gets the shrimp and prosciutto app, salad and roasted chicken. Cathy only has the Caesar salad and lamb chops (everything is delicious!!!). No dessert except for the biscotti that comes after every Toscana meal!
Since it is still so early, we decide to hit the hot tub for a soak. Great night to do it, we’ve already sailed so there’s a nice breeze, and we are alone in the tub. Almost alone on the deck save for the private dinner party being held in the lounge area at the side of the deck. Back in the cabin – we fall asleep way too early! But it’s been a hot and tiring day – and we can’t keep our eyes open!!!
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