Savvy Salvador

Salvador is said to be "Africa in Exile", a city where african culture is fused with western culture in all aspects of everyday life. One hundred and sixty-six Catholic churches sit proudly next to Candomble temples, a facinating mix of old and new, rich and poor, African and European, religious and profane. The city was established in 1501 as a safe harbour for exporting the wealth and abundance of South America to Europe; a wealth created by sweat and hardship of the Africans transported here during a slave trade which lasted three centuries.

Every Tuesday is the feast day of St. Anthony, the patron saint of Salvador, and the streets come alive with music and celebration. Drums beats, the rhythm of which touches your very soul can be heard on every other street corner. Music fills the air and is of such fabulous quality, it is hard to believe this is just your average Tuesday in Bahia. A similar display in England would mark a much awaited, annual festival rather than a weekly get together. There is so much to catch the eye and the imagination; Capoeira dancers, fire eaters, Bahia ladies selling sweets dressed in 18th century costume, jugglers and food and drink stalls in the market squares. All this with beautiful colonial buildings and cobbled streets as the stage...