Yesterday after I wrote the last blog entry I went to the Afro-Brazilian museum in Pelourinho with a group from my program. The top floor was dedicated mostly to artwork and artifacts associated with candomblé, while the bottom floor (the archeological museum) had information about the various indigenous groups that lived in the region and along with some of the original architecture built by the Franciscans during the colonial era.

After the tour we went for ice-cream next to the Elevador Lacerda and I must say that I’m quite in love. They have the most intriguing and exotic fruit flavors that I’ve ever tasted. This is the second time I’ve had ice-cream there and I doubt that it will be the last…

After ice-cream I walked around a bit and looked at berimbaus and artwork. When I got back Berna and Conchita were watching the opening ceremony to the Pan-American Cup and I sat and watch it for a while with them. Berna cooked a banana de agua for me to try that was absolutely incredible. I asked how it was prepared and she told me she just took the banana when it was well ripened and boiled it in a little water. (Don’t try this at home! We aren’t talking your run-of-the-mill banana. This is a WATER banana.) It tasted like cinnamon and spice goodness, but all the flavor is from the banana it self!

This morning I went with my friend Sonia to a mall and bought some CDs of Brazilian music and shoes for dancing. (I figure I’ve committed myself to try samba at least once here now that I have the shoes.) After lunch I spent the afternoon reading a few articles and starting my paper. Bethany called around 5:30 and I met her, Sonia and Felipe for dinner. We talked about going to see Harry Potter but I decided to take a rain-check for later this week so that I can get some more of my paper knocked out tonight. I did however agree to go the beach tomorrow morning to throw around the Frisbee for a couple hours. Wish me productivity tonight!