"Various Interventions"

As we approach election times, many neglected city improvement
projects find new life. The upcoming world cup games (upcoming being
in a couple of years, which are more like weeks when you factor in how
quickly things move here and how much there still is to be done) have
added increasing pressure, enough even to get an actual train put on
the Metro track, though the track remains unfinished and the train
does no actually move. Signs begin to go up near elections - operation
"filling in holes" or operation "dredge the river" (both also
sometimes called operation "elect me".) It's a sign that shows you
that not all your tax dollars are going into the politicians' pockets
(some of them go to pay for large signs too).

This sign showed up near my house about a week ago. It ruffly
translates into "various interventions-your government working for
you." About a week later, another sign went up facing the other way
saying the same thing. What these "interventions" might be remains
vague. Perhaps the sign is the intervention in and of itself.

Sunny seas... Missing beer

For those familiar with Bahia and our lovely beaches, this is old
news, but in the time table of this blog, it has yet to be addressed.

I take a lot of pride in the fact that you can go to the beach here
fully clothed and acquire everything you need on site - biquini,
sandals, sunscreen, canga, food and beer - to have a fine day at the
beach. We had barracas that served a whole fried fish, steamed clams,
fried aipim and cold beer and coconuts. It was always a good time.

The the barracas were bulldozed to be replaced by more uniform and
structurally sound buildings with bathrooms and proper sewage and
electricity. This was progress? It would seem. Half way through the
project construction was stopped and those who ran the barracas just
found their own jeitinho to fill in the structure where the city
government had stopped.

And then, for environmental reasons, all the barracas were bulldozed
again and completely removed. Now there is a lack of full sustenance -
no fish or fries to be had. It's a sad state for many of us. You
should now bring your own food to the ocean excursion lest you faint
from hunger. There is also less security and less vendors walking
around. I have to make sure I take sunblock with me because it may not
waltz by. But now the drive along the Orla sure is pretty.

Red River at night

Rio Vermelho has quite a bit to do at night. Numerous bars dot the
area closest to the Orla and there is the burracharia for after hours.
It is also
privilege to some of the worst traffic jams in the city at nearly all
hours of the day and the least amount of official parking areas. I
love it here, personally. But then again I never have to drive or
park.

Mmmm, sound appetizing? I'd like some squid vinegar, wouldn't you?
Despite having a plethora of English teachers in the area, it seems
Google translator is an easier choice when it comes to placards in
nicer restaurants here in Salvador. The regular restaurants don't even
bother with English - if you want to know what you're eating, bring a
translator.

Building invasion

Here sits the last house that I believe actually functions as a house
and not a business of some kind. It is surrounded on all sides by high
rises built in the last 15 years. Much of Salvador has been under
construction in the last year, apartments going up all over the city,
especially in the green spaces on the coast and the Paralela. This
lone house sports the extra security features of razor wire and bars
on the windows. How long until it becomes like it's neighbors?