Leaving Brazil behind

Well, soon we will be leaving Brazil behind (I had to make up some lame sentence to use this picture, right?).. As our last few days approach, so does Carnaval. Some places ooze culture, but this time of year Salvador sprays it. It´s as if everday is a contest to be the most Brazilian and for better or worse, we leave this town the day it hosts the biggest party in the world. Bold words, I know, but we have witnessed the prologue and it´s hard to imagine the main event. Every night this week thousands of people pack the narrow, cobbled, streets that were paved by their enslaved anscestors nearly 450 years ago. Drummers march past 16th century churches and street vendors selling fried meat, mounds of spicy black beans, and cold beer while dancing locals (and tourists) fill in every last square inch of free space. In short this place is New Orleans on more steroids than an Eastern Bloc powerlifter. Meredith and I are not sure when we will back to celebrate Carnaval, but we will (maybe even next year)... Anyone wanting to split an apartment down here for 10 days next winter?

During the day we really just walked around the historic district.....(We had to walk cause it wouldn´t start)

.....snapped a few pictures of the ladies.... kicked it with the kiddo´s..... After all that walking I was hungry, so we ate the worlds most delicious ugly fruit from ripped old man...... and then to the worlds most crowded beach....... and well, I don´t remember much after that... Sadly, the end of our South American adventure is winding down, in just a few days left we will be running frantically from elephants, lions, and my mom. While we know we could stay longer, we also know another great chapter in this adventure is just a few pages away. We´ll keep you posted.