Portuguese and culture class started winding down at the end of January and I gave my final presentation on brazilian soap operas (telenovelas). Then it was time for ferias do carnaval ("Carnival Vacation")! On February 2nd CIEE took us out on a boat trip so that we could partake in one of the biggest Candomblé celebrations: Festa da Iemanjá. A large street party takes place in Rio Vermelho, a coastal neighborhood in Salvador not far from where I live, but the real celebration happens on the water. Countless boats of all sizes (from large party boats to row boats) follow several fishermen in small motor boats out to a certain point. A horn is blown and baskets of flowers, perfumes, and other gifts are thrown into the sea as offerings to the Mãe D'Agua, Iemanjá, also referred to as Rainha do Mar (Mother of the Water/Queen of the Sea). It was a gorgeous day and beforehand we stopped at an island to relax and enjoy the warm Bahian sun.
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