Home Sweet Almost Home

The moment we arrived in Porto Seguro, I felt as if I had returned to a second home. I served a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the south of Bahia, Brazil from 2009-2011. I spent a little over a year in Porto Seguro and the surrounding regions, so this place holds a special place in my heart. During the bus ride from Rio de Janeiro, I was remembering everyone I had met and become friends with in this area.

We arrived in Porto Seguro around 4pm and headed straight to where we would be staying for the next few days. The Branch President (or local ecclesiastical leader) of the local LDS Church, João Pires is a dear friend and he opened his house to us. The first night was not very exciting as we had just finished an 18 hour bus ride and just wanted to relax. We showered and picked up some dinner. On our way back to the house we stopped by a few of my friend's houses for a few surprise visits.

João Pires and his wife Maria Santa kindly let us stay with their family 

We all had the same plan for the next day: BEACH TIME. This region is known for its beautiful beaches. We took a city bus and stopped at a random beach along the coast. After walking down and scouting the beaches, we found a place to set up camp. It was close to perfect. Decent waves, clean, warm water, few people. The only thing that was lacking was the perfect weather. It was slightly overcast, but still a beautiful day. We found a few coconuts to play catch with. We figured we would teach Brazilians an American way to have fun. Later in the afternoon a group of three men came running down the beach, yelling and laughing. Apparently they had just caught a fish with their bare hands. 

Porto Seguro is pretty much a peninsula. There are huge stretches of beaches. 

Justin wishing for the wind to die down. Or contemplating the vastness of the universe. We really never know what's going up there. 

You have no idea how excited these guys were. The guy holding the fish was FREAKING out. It was hilarious. 

The hours passed, and a brisk wind brought the smell of rain on the horizon. We grabbed a quick bite to eat right on the beach and rode a bus back into the city. That same night, we found out about a large activity at the Church. We attended and were able to see many of my friends from 3 years ago.

The next day was a split adventure: Porter and Justin stayed in Porto Seguro while I traveled an hour inland to the city Eunápolis to see more friends. 

Our time in Porto was great, but the weather didn't allow for as much beach time as we had hoped for. Itching for more sand in their toes and hair, Porter and Justin left a day early for Salvador while I stayed to visit and hang out with more old friends. 

Funny enough, the day I spent alone was gorgeous.

It was a beautiful day. Later I heard that the day Porter and Justin spent in Salvador was pretty rainy. Patience pays off, eh?

Seriously. It couldn't have been a more perfect day. 

In the morning I visited the city's aquarium. It is on its own private island, called Ilha dos Aquarios. The guide, Marta, was great. She has studied marine biology for years and years. She is actually planning a trip to visit Mexico and California. When I told her I lived in Monterey, she got so excited and told me she was planning on visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The tour was with a high school group. So, naturally, all the student swarmed me with questions and pictures. I will miss the feeling of every single girl staring at us wherever we go. We  feel like rock stars.

Marta the Marine Biologist. Side note: For some reason every person we ask to take pictures for us thinks we want our whole bodies in the picture. Some people take the pictures from so far away.

Example A: You can barely see anything in these pictures. However, that is a pretty good looking fence... I am split on this picture actually. But you get my point.

While walking through the center of the city, the streets were decked out with decorations for the upcoming São João parties planned for the end of June. I wish were able to stay for São João. This time of year is especially fun. The streets are filled with traditional decorations, music and food.

One of the small squares near the coast decorated for the upcoming festivities

This road is a few miles long. The whole thing looks like this, with varying patterns. 

The rest of the extra day I had was spent visiting as many people as I could. It was great seeing so many people, but it was also sad. I wasn't able to see everyone. With those I was able to visit, I would walk in the door and say "Hey! I'm back! But I have to leave tonight!" The next time I come back to Bahia, I will be sure to stay long enough to see everyone and spend time with them. 

Once the time came for me to catch my bus to Salvador, it was was even harder to part with the city and people I had come to love. For the second time. A few friends came to see me off at the bus station. I can feel this trip coming to a close. I am ready to go home, but part of me has adopted the spirit of traveling. Many of my viewpoints, opinions, and goals have changed while some have been reinforced. I am already drawing up plans of where I will go next.

Another candid shot of Justin doing what he does best: Posing. 

With love from Bahia,

Derek

PS: I know the main reason you all follow our blog is for our pictures, but we may not have access to our cameras for a day or two. On our flight back to the States, it seems our backpacks were lost. Sorry, but for now you'll just have to imagine three very tan, good looking guys surrounded by beautiful Brazilian women on the beach. That's pretty much what happened. We'll let you all know when we upload pictures!