Hoje foi a uma parada enorme que celebrou a independência da cidade. Aprendemos um pouco na aula sobre isto, mas acho que nao entendi muito bem. Gostei muito das bandas "brass," todas foram de escolas no Salvador. Tambem muitoas pessoas no desfile representavam grupos políticos, incluindo a partida comunista. Se seja uma partida comunista representada nos estados unidos num desfile, acho que receberiam atenção negativo. Nunca tinha visto nada como esse desfile! Comencou as oito da manha num barrio que se chama "Liberdade," e continua ate Campo Grande onde termina as três da tarde! E tao longe que nao ficamos por tudo, almocemos num buffet perto.
O Pelorinho, onde fomos para assistir a parada, originalmente foi a lugar onde moravam os escravos. No centro do Pelorinho tem um lugar onde os escravos foram (lastimados?) Posso imaginar a sangue no meu mente. Sonei que a sangue foi correndo entre as rocas nas ruas. Agora o Pelorinho e um lugar onde celebra os cidadanos, e andam as turistas. Tem iglesias velhas e muito impressivos, tudos cubertos de oro dentro. Foram construídos no c. XVI, no período barroco! As figurinas de santos tem caracteristicas como negra, mas tem pele branca e pelos loiros.
A noite passada alguém me perguntou o que penso sobre Salvador. Depois de pensando demais, acho que agora sinto um pouco (trapped). Sinto o perjuicio contra os estrangeiros. Tinha experiencia com tudo; de sentindo muito querido e admirando ate hoje, quando alguém (psit at me). Sinto a opressão de sendo um menoridade, e uma mulhar num cidade de pessoas com pele negra e homens agressivos. Nao posso sair qualquer tempo que quero, e nao posso sair sozinha. Sento frustrada por que Salvador e uma cidade tao grande e tao interessante, mas nao posso explorar. Poderia com algum outro Brasileiro acho, mas tenho que esperar para isto.
Today there was a huge parade that celebrated the independence of Salvador from slavery. We learned a little in class about this, but I didn't quite understand all of it. I really liked the brass bands, they were all from schools in Salvador. I think the students in the bands have to maintain their grades to stay in the band. There were also a lot of political groups represented, including indigenous groups and the communist party. If the communist party was represented in a parade in the US, I think it would receive a lot more negative attention. I have never seen anything like this parade before! It started at eight am in a neighborhood called Liberdade, and it went all the way to Campo Grande where it ended at about three pm! It was so long that we only saw the middle, then had lunch in a nearby buffet.
The Pelorhino, where we were to watch the parade, originally was the place where black slaves lived. In the center of the Pelorinho there is a tall pole where slaves were tied and whipped. I can imagine the blood in my mind. I dreamed that the blood was running between the rocks in the streets. Now the Pelorinho is a place where the citizens celebrate and tourists walk. It has impressive, old churches, all covered inside with gold. They were constructed in the 17th century, in the baroque period, so the art and detailing is all very classic, fluid, and opulent. The figures of saints and cherubs have facial features and body proportions of the black slaves that carved them, even though their skin is white and tier hair is blond.
Last night someone asked me what I though of Salvador. After thinking about it too much, I think that right now I feel trapped. I feel the prejudice against foreigners, or tourists. I have had experience with everything from being adored by my Mae's grandson Dudu, to being spit at in the square in the Pelorinho. I feel the oppression of being a minority, and a woman in a city of people with dark skin and aggressive men. I can't leave whenever I want and I can't leave alone. I feel frustrated because Salvador is such an intriguing city, but I can't explore it. I would with another Brasilian I think, but I have to wait for this.
The floor above mine in my apartment building used to be a gym, but now it is empty. I like to go there when I feel trapped in the apartment because I feel more peaceful there.
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