Finally here in Salvador!!!

Hey there everyone! I hope this finds you well. I arrived in Salvador a week ago tonight, and it has taken me a week to post because I am adjusting to the slower life here. The joys of moving to a new city have been overwhelming me, not knowing how to take the bus if I know the place I'm trying to go, walking for two hours to get to a place that should be less than 1/2 hour away by distance, not knowing what classes you can take... Anyway, things are going better now that I've had a week to shock because I'm bouncing back now. Everyone here is getting ready for Carnaval. It is funny because everyone is working very, very hard to prepare for a week long party. I bought my ticket for a bloco for Carnaval today! (A bloco is a group of people that follow a 'trio-eletrico' a big truck with speakers and a band playing on top. Within the bloco there is supposed to be good security, and there are bathroom and drinks on the truck too.) I am going to join a bunch of other people for 3 days in like a big parade, and then maybe go one day to Pelourinho (which has an old, traditional celebration), and maybe spend the other days at some places that are recommended to me. I think it would be cool to get to experience the different sides. I heard that the business side of the city is pretty much shut down for a week, so I'm not sure how easy it will be to get to a computer. If I can I definately will to update my blog so you can all know about my experiences at Carnaval. As far as classes go, I have to take a Portuguese test at the level I tested into (not sure what yet), then I'm taking Society & Culture, History of Bahia (the state Salvador is in) and a history of popular traditions and customs class. They all sound really interesting, and for the first two weeks you can go to whatever classes you'd like to try them out and see if you like them. So let's see how it goes. I'm going to head because my time is almost up at the internet cafe. Take care, post comments, and I'll update asap! Beijinhos (kisses)!!