The streets of Salvador are alive with food and music

Our first night in Salvador was perfect timing. We arrived well into the evening and found a hostel to stay. We chose a room with airconditioning as it was warm and three people living in close quarters can easily make a room hot and stuffy. In our room was a bonus, a 34cm T.V and an even bigger surprise was our air conditioner, a fan mounted to the wall. Well first thing first for Andy was to check out what was on the old box, and of course the first channel that we switch on to is the in-house porn. That poor woman coping it in every orifice by those two men. Needless to say that the in-house porn seemed to be on every second or third channel that Andy flicked through, or was he really just changing the channels up and down to make it look like he was channel surfing??

After a quick change we headed out into the Square to stumble across a huge night food market. There was so much to choose from and of course a nice cold beer in this temperature was a must. There were people everywhere and a stage had been set up for the nights music performances. While sitting here Kate and I noticed this group of three guys walk past our table, one of them had what came to be know between Kate and I as the 3B's, Brazilian Bubble Butt. After our meal and a few SKOL's, Brazilian beer, we walked the streets. So many poor in this town, and many of them children. I don't like giving money out to them, only because I don't know where it is going. So instead I would buy them something from a local street merchant and make them eat it there and then. If they were truly hungry then they would. But if they insisted on cash then they would go without.

Walking the streets on our first night we could hear the drums being played. It was close by so we walked towards it, and here we found a crowd encircling a band of drummers. The drum noise was loud and energetic, the crowd was dancing in the streets. It was contagious and you had no option but to move with the beat. As the drummers moved along the streets, the crowd would shuffle with them, like the Pied Piper. In the crowd Kate and I noticed 3B, and he and his two mates, and they were looking our way. Kate and I would whisper to each other and they would do the same. There was a lot of looks going both ways for awhile, eventually I ended up talking to 3B. Three B's name is Regis, cant remember the name of the other's, and he spoke a little English. He told Kate, Andy and I that we had arrived on the best night of the week as its the only night where they have this food and street festival. We hung out with them for a bit walking the streets and following the band. We headed towards where there was suppose to be a Samba Club but when we got there it was closed. From there we said out goodbye went our separate ways. After being ripped off in Rio it was nice to meet some friendly people.

The street partying went on into the wee hours of the morning, we could hardly get any sleep. Once the street party was over, the street cleaners began. The room was hot even with the 'airconditioning' and the next morning we changed our Hostel. We found another one just around the corner and closer to the Square. It was brilliant and the breakfast was included. It was a great breakfast too. The room had an real 'airconditioner, a full size fridge and there was no street noise. Couldn't have asked for more. Here was when I first got into trouble, well not really in trouble, for putting toilet paper into the toilet. I blew my nose on some and just threw it in. Kate pointed out the sign that said 'no paper to be put in toilet but to use the little bin next to it. Eeeww! What? Apparently the septic systems can't handle toilet paper, and after use it gets placed in the little waste paper basket next to the toilet. Again eeww. Needless to say I wasn't having a bar of that, and any that I could flush, I would.

The next few days were all about taking in the town and checking out the beaches. It is truly a colourful city and one filled with friendly people.