Since the last post I have been getting to know Elci´s neighbourhood a little better. The slideshow on the left begins with workmen installing Christmas lights outside Elci's front balcony. The entire street is now decorated for Christmas. All that is missing from the festive atmosphere here is snow.
Earlier this week Elci took me to look at the historic city. The parallels between Quebec City and Porto Seguro are striking. Porto Seguro is where Brazil was discovered as one of the banners at the entrance to Elci's street declare in the slideshow. Just like in Quebec, the Governor's quarters, the Jesuit church and the cannons to protect the citadel were located on a plateau above the port. The port at the mouth of the Burhanem river is protected by a reef.
Like Jacques Cartier, the Portuguese explorers were welcomed by the local natives. There is even a legend about a beautiful Indian maiden who fell in love with a Portuguese sailor and drowned trying to follow his boat when it returned to Portugal.
I love the waterfront, where there is a lot to see and discover. In a future post I will talk about a bar on the waterfront frequented by the local fisherman. Here I discovered a magic drink called Caxamell, of which I will have more to say. The owner Jose Carllos has said I could take pictures of the interior of his establishment. It, he and the people who frequent this little store/bar are very interesting.
Since I arrived here Elci has been trying to find a beach to my liking. This is my favorite so far, about a half hour bus ride from Porto Seguro. No loud music. Nothing but the sound of crashing waves. The water here is deep and the beaches are practically deserted. The fishing is said to be good although we didn't have any luck yesterday. We have been invited to stay the weekend in nearby Cabralia with Elci's friends Lia and Amilcar. Elci's nephews Julio (shown fishing with Elci) and Victor (about to be swamped) joined us for the day.
