Quick Summary the Second

One of the most complicated personal issues I’ve dealt with during my study abroad has been the housing situation. Unfortunately the exchange program hasn’t been very attentive to my housing needs, but I feel that I have gained a better knowledge of Salvador’s geography as a result of my various homes in different neighborhoods. The first time, I moved because I felt abandoned and hungry,


and then I just had to bounce around for a little while before I moved for the last time to Murilo’s house where I genuinely feel as though I am part of a family complete with three greedy older brothers and two squawking parrots. I’ve been rather surprised to discover what a difference a positive home environment makes in my mood, and I’m eternally grateful to the whole family and in particular to my adoptive mother for allowing such peace of mind.

The new view.

In October the exchange program took a trip to Porto Seguro, a tourist city in the south of Bahia whose pride is the “Point of Discovery of Brazil” where the Portuguese first landed.

Famed point of discovery.

It was beautiful and we had a good time, but we were all a little disturbed by the extreme tourism and our depressing visit to the Jaqueira reservation where Pataxó individuals make their living entertaining tour groups.

Katie and I enjoy a promenade in Tourist Trap, Bahia.

Salvador is known for its cuisine, specifically the wide range of Afro-Brazilian dishes heavy on seafood and palm seed oil. On any street corner you can get an acarajé, a tasty deep-fried local specialty and it’s not hard to find a restaurant that serves muqueca, a deliciously seasoned fish stew.

My friend Nea frying some kibe.