My fourth night in Salvador de Bahia and things have been good, and things have been bad. Its bloody hot and Salvador is fantastic, but Ive been feeling a bit rough. Not sure whats going on, havent needed the loo or anything like that, but something definitely wasnt right - feeling better now though so fingers crossed... So yes, Salvador, what an amazing city! The African slave background in this part of Brazil makes Salvador like a little piece of Africa and the atmosphere is fantastic. Music. Everywhere! Drums, samba, people dancing at concerts and parades in the street and my hostel is in the thick of it all in the Pelourinho where back in the day the slaves were publicly killed. I felt a bit threatened when it literally took me half an hour to push and shove my way through a sweaty mass of people dancing to those samba beats, especially when most people seemed intent on either grabbing my bag or kissing me!! However the vibe on the run up to Carnaval is infectious, only a shame that I couldnt enjoy it to its fullest really. Although I did manage a trip to the beach, a wander through the old and new sections of town listening to the samba music and watching capoeira, along with a visit to a Candomble religious ceremony which was a tad odd...people being possessed and the like...! Next Id be heding back to Rio and I was keeping my fingers crossed that I hadnt made a mistake by opting to spend Carnaval there, Salvador was gonna be fab...