Bimbo Blitz: A Sticky Situation in São Luís
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. i landed in São Luís yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a thing. the humidity is clinging to everything like a desperate ex. 23 degrees, feels like 21.64, temp min 23, temp max 23, pressure 1010, humidity 11, sea level 1010, grnd level 970. yeah, that’s the data. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
first off, the vibe. it’s not bad, it’s just… intense. like a Salvador Dalí painting that’s been left out in the rain. the architecture is insane - these massive, crumbling colonial buildings crammed together with brightly colored, almost aggressively cheerful, modern additions. it’s jarring, beautiful, and slightly terrifying all at once. i’m talking about the Centro Histórico, obviously. you have to wander around there.
my gear list is already a disaster. i forgot my lens cloth. seriously. and my charger. and i’m pretty sure i left my noise-canceling headphones at the hostel. classic. i did, however, manage to snag a vintage *biscuit tin - perfect for carrying snacks. and a ridiculously oversized straw hat - essential for dealing with this heat.
i overheard some drunk advice at the bar last night - someone told me that the best pastel de bacalhau (codfish pie) is at ‘Casa da Lua’. i’m skeptical, but i’m also starving. check out Yelp for more options: https://www.yelp.com/search?keyword=pastel+de+bacalhau&location=Sao+Lu%C3%AAs
and speaking of locals, if you get bored, Maranhão is just a short drive away. apparently, they have this incredible festival called ‘Bumba Meu Boi’ - a giant, colorful parade with music and dancing. i’m adding it to the list.
i spent the morning exploring the Mercado Central. it’s a chaotic, overwhelming explosion of sights, smells, and sounds. mountains of fresh fish, piles of exotic fruits, and vendors shouting prices. it’s a sensory overload, but in a good way. i bought a bunch of weird spices and a bag of dried mango. i’m pretty sure i’m going to make a terrible curry.
someone told me that the Museu Histórico e Artístico do Maranhão is worth a visit - apparently, it has a fantastic collection of colonial art. i’m not a huge museum person, but i’m willing to give it a shot. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1073089-d1633333-Reviews-Museu_Historico_e_Artistico_do_Maranh%C3%A3o-Sao_Luis.html
i’m currently sitting in a little cafe called ‘Café do Sol’, nursing a cafézinho (a tiny cup of coffee - seriously tiny) and trying to figure out my next move. the wifi is atrocious, which is a major bummer. i need to upload these photos before my data runs out.
i heard that the beaches outside of the city are beautiful, but they’re a bit of a trek. maybe i’ll check them out tomorrow. i’m thinking of renting a scooter - but i’m terrified of getting lost.
honestly, this city is just… a lot. it’s overwhelming, exhausting, and completely captivating. i’m not sure i’m cut out for this kind of travel, but i’m also not sure i want to leave.
i’m going to grab another pastel de bacalhau* and see what happens. wish me luck.
check out this local board for events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saoluisbrasil/
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