Bom dia!

It has been a nice, routine week of going to classes and doing homework without too many extra adventures going on. It’s a good feeling to be comfortable taking the bus and walking to and from my different classes. This is the building where I take my culture class in the morning and where the study abroad office is located.

One thing I’ve noticed is that Salvador is a pretty dirty place most of the time. The gutters are often clogged with trash and most neighborhoods smell faintly of urine. Thankfully, there are plenty of uniformed servicemen working on keeping things more tidy. The other day these motivated workers set about completing the important task of raking the hill across from my apartment.

Yesterday, we went to Cidade Baixa which is a more modest section of Salvador contrasting to the industry and bustle of the upper-class neighborhoods where we live and take classes. It is also the location of the Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim.

People come here to ask Senhor do Bonfim to heal them and make wishes by tying colored ribbons to plastic molds of whatever body part is ailing them and hanging it up in the church. This makes for a very spooky “wishes” room.

The colored ribbons of Senhor do Bonfim are extremely common and all over Salvador. Many people will try to sell them to you and they're available in most gift shops, but if you hang around the right places they'll be gifted to you for free. A friend is supposed to tie it to you with three knots and with each knot you make a wish. Supposedly, when it breaks your wishes will come true. Almost everyone here has one on their wrist or ankle.

That’s all for now!

Love and beijos..