day sixteen: our first goodbye
Another morning of meetings, and another afternoon in the city. Another official from the U.S. Embassy who spoke with us about some of the changes she has seen in Brazil since she arrived thirty years ago. We talked about the political scandals that are mentioned so often when we think about Brazil, but her opinion is that things are actually improving, because these are issues that also happened in the past, but the press did not address what everyone knew was happening. Education inequity, corporate payoffs to campaigns of elected officials in order to get deals at the state and local levels, and inadequate funding for the infrastructure . . . how can a country move forward when these are the issues? After our discussion we all were able to agree that our country has quite a bit in common with our host country.
In the afternoon we had a choice between going to a beach or back into the city. I chose the city, because I had just spent a week on the beach at Natal.
In the afternoon we had a choice between going to a beach or back into the city. I chose the city, because I had just spent a week on the beach at Natal.
The city is comprised of the "Lower City," near the port, and the "Upper City," which is the Old Town. Today we went to the Lower City and visited the Mercado, which is now a souvenir shop with lots of vendors. However, since it is right on the port, in the past it was where slaves were held until auction day. The plaza in the second picture was used for slave auctions.
A tribute to a leader in the Afro-Brazilian struggle for freedom from slavery.
Last stop on our shopping trip was to a local mall. This is definitely a very different view of Brazil. Top designers and an indoor ice skating rink to cool down on a hot day.
A nice quiet night after my night out. A few of us sat on the rooftop and had pizza and a chance to see Salvador from a different view.
A nice quiet night after my night out. A few of us sat on the rooftop and had pizza and a chance to see Salvador from a different view.