salvador da bahia

Salvador da Bahia was Brazil´s first capital and the most African influenced city, where blacks preserved the roots of their African culture. this is very evident in the rich, vibrant music and art, seen and heard around every street corner in the restored historical neighborhood of Pelhourinho. we saw the very popular local band Timbalada at which performance Caetano Veloso made a guest appearance. we felt much like brazilians!! we also became acqainted with the orixas, Afro-Brazilian gods very elaborately carved in wood, seen at the Museo Afro-Braziliero. after spending 3 days in the intense heat and energy of Salvador, we joined the sea turtles at a small ecological beach resort, Praia do Forte. this is where a national project, Tamar, is working with local communities to preserve sea turtle breeding grounds, as they are an endangered species. turtles are such fascinating creatures!