A little harbour in Salvador de Bahia…..

First we thought we were in the wrong place. Only a door in what looked like a dubious neighborhood. Just the stairs going up… It was alright though. On the first floor was a good hotel with a fantastic breakfast room. And then the surprise was complete. When we came onto the general balcony of our hotel… the view was stunning: Blue waters with an old fortress, a little harbour, a marina, stylish barracks for mariners, the old lower town, the statue - Monument for the city of Salvador (1970) - by Mario Cravo Neto. We could have spend our time there, but there were no parasols and the sun was uncompromising.

The “Elevador Lacerda” takes you down to the lower town. There is the Mercado Modelo; a large covered market. It has everything a tourist could want. From mini birimbau’s to hand bags and beautiful white linen. Outside are even more stalls. The restaurants are on the first floor. 

The balcony of the restauant offers a view of the small old harbour. The food is good, everybody is friendly, the toilets are terrible. But just sit there and look at what happens beneath you. It is the perfect place to spend the morning.

People, most young men, hang around there waiting for the odd job. The poverty is obvious.

The old man sitting on the stairs just washed himself, top till toe.

Next to the “Elevador Lacerda” is the former palace of the governor of Bahia. Another world. Extremes that will never meet.

A yuppie theme park: Puerto Madero

Thinking it would be nice to go to a part of Buenos Aires that was completely unknown to us, we decided to go to Puerto Madero. Our hotel was not far. We only needed to cross some busy avenues. We were not prepared for the surprise. There was Puerto Madero, but it was as if we were arriving in the Docklands in London.

It was “cool”. New and trendy old mixed together to a yuppie paradise. 

The old cranes and old ships are like artefacts on a set. Walking along the docks you have no idea even of being in Latin America. The cafes and restaurants play rock, beat and other western music. 

The one thing that comes near to tango is the bridge of the women - the puente de la Mujer. Companies have European / North American names. Prices are adjusted to the level of European cities.  

Sure, the weather is much better than in London. The pieces of meat on the menu are huge. You get them with a lot of potatoes… the green is separate. The wine is excellent and the glasses are much larger then in Europe.

Everything is smooth. I found just one derelict building. I suppose in a few years it will also be transformed into something beautiful and expensive.

I loved to be there; just watching the scenery. The blue sky, the colors, the feeling of being safe. At the same time it feels artificial, like being in some theme park. It is nice for a change to be “back” for a while, but after some time I miss the noisy, busy and lively atmosphere of Latin America.