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+---- Thread: Predrag's adventures in Brazil: Running on the sands of Salvador (/showthread.php?tid=7831)
Predrag's adventures in Brazil: Running on the sands of Salvador - TooDear - 2025-09-01
It was so damn hot in Salvador. Sure, Sao Paulo wasn't exactly continental climate, but here he felt like he was being cooked. The colorful buildings and completely different architecture didn't' help with the thought that his brain was already melting. Despite the temperature, he found the city welcoming and pleasant. Like he did in Sao Paulo, Predrag immediately left his hotel after checking in. He wanted to explore the area on his own.
For his first location of the day, he decided to visit Pelourinho, the historic center of Salvador and a UNESCO heritage site. The architecture reminded him a lot of Europe, which made sense as this was a colonial center in history. Despite the local area's sad history and relation to the slave trade, it has since become a thriving hub of Afro-Brazilian culture. As Predrag walked the streets he could see many drumming groups, or Olodum, capoeira practitioners and other street performers. There were also many beautiful murals on the walls of African heritage. After walking around and admiring everything that was there to see, Predrag got hungry and decided to get the nearest food he could find. It was acaraje, which he was told was a kind of friend bean cake. What he was not informed on was that this particular vendor, loved filling them up with spices and so Predrag's lips were soon introduced to what can only be described as a French kiss with a volcano.
After that lovely moment, Predrag decided to visit the beach. Porto da Barra is not a large beach, but it's very well known. The waters are calm and warm because it's inside of a bay. Predrag was lucky to catch it while it wasn't fully packed. Predrag was only used to rocky Croatian beaches that he would go to whenever he would visit his family. Not having to say "ow" every 3 steps was a wonderful difference. One curios thing did catch his eye, there was a group of about 6 guys playing football on the sand. They had makeshift poles stabbed into the ground to represent the goal posts. Curiosity got the better of him and he decided to talk to the lads. As they say, the more the merrier and it didn't take long for Predrag to join in. Beach football was a completely different beast. The balance was completely off, the ball was heavier so it wouldn't fly away, everyone was bare foot and everyone was trying to be more acrobatic and play with flair. It hurts fall less to fall on the sand after all. He felt like an Academy kid all over again as he got nutmegged and dribbled past. It didn't take long for him to adapt however and soon he was showing them why he was a professional.
When the game was done, it was already well past 5 in the afternoon. The guys he played with invited him to join them for a festival. The Festa Junina was happening. The atmosphere was completely different in the city than when Predrag walked the streets in the morning. There were paper flags everywhere, straw dolls and balloons littered the ground. People were dressed in costumes and patchwork dresses meant to mimic countryside farmers. Lots and lots of drumming could be heard as many performers kept the whole city vibrating to a rhythm. There were rows of food stands set up and everything was made with corn. Pamonha, Canjica, Bolo de milho, Milho cozido. He walks, eats and drinks with his new friends. One of them gives him a straw had and Predrag has no idea why but he doesn't complain.
Then he wakes up in his hotel. Completely hammered and barely aware of what happened last night. His straw hat is there but the clothes he's wearing aren't his, in fact he doesn't remember what happened to his outfit. There is an old soccer ball in his room, at least the 90s maybe even 80s. He has no idea how it got there, if he stole it or if it was given to him. If he's being honest, he doesn't even care. One thing he knows for a fact is that he had a great time and sometimes that's all you need in life.
This dramatic retelling of events was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by Montreal United.
RE: Predrag's adventures in Brazil: Running on the sands of Salvador - roquefort - 2025-09-01
I also want to get hammered in Brazil after playing some beach football. Sounds like a fun day out
RE: Predrag's adventures in Brazil: Running on the sands of Salvador - Hero19 - 2025-10-02
A dramatic retelling and a solid one at that.
Media Grade 4/5