Hot Chocolate with a Local: Arielle Loren in Bahia, Brazil

Before you read any further, grab a cup of your favorite hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Do you have it? OK. Now read on :0). Hot Chocolate with a Local will be a recurring post where I sit down with a guest and chat about travel over a delicious virtual cup of hot chocolate. I created this series to bring you real advice about travel around the world. Today we catch up with the lovely Arielle Loren, Freelance Writer and Owner of L Media House: “A multimedia agency dedicated to producing quality video projects, catalytic online brands, and strategic sustainability.” You can read more about Arielle at her website ariellloren.com.

Imported Chocolate: Hey Arielle, thanks for having a virtual cup of hot chocolate with me! First question, what part of Brazil are you in?

Arielle: I’m currently living in Salvador, which is in the Brazilian state of Bahia.

Imported Chocolate: Bahia is known as the part of Brazil that is predominantly populated with Afro Brazilians right?

Arielle: Yup, even though Afro-Brazilians live all over Brazil.

Imported Chocolate: Why Brazil and why Bahia?

Arielle: I wanted to live Afro-Brazilian culture as a daily experience. While the African Diaspora certainly has impacted Brazil’s culture as a whole, Bahia is very special and holds a lot of history.

Imported Chocolate: Was there anything specific in Bahia’s history that jumped out at you and compelled you to go there? Like a story or historic figure?

Arielle: I can’t say that there was a specific event. But I did find it extremely powerful that Salvador was one of the largest slave ports in the Americas. That in itself grasped my curiosity and made me want to explore.

Imported Chocolate: Gotcha. How long have you been there?

Arielle: Tomorrow will be two weeks!

Imported Chocolate: Wow! Awesome! What was your first impression of Bahia when you first arrived?

Arielle: All of the colorful buildings, smiling brown folks, city happenings, and ocean water gave me a sincere reawakening. I felt alive when I got to Salvador, like I truly was living in the moment. I haven’t seen any of Bahia beyond the city, but I hear it’s just as beautiful.

Imported Chocolate: I love that feeling! It’s a feeling someone would not understand unless they travel.

Arielle: Exactly!

Imported Chocolate: Any culture shock moments yet? Culture shock usually kicks down the door within the first day to week. Something always happens to make you think “I’m sooo not in the U S of A anymore!”

Arielle: I decided to walk from my neighborhood, Dois de Julho, to Barra, which is one of the most popular beach communities in Salvador. At the time, I didn’t know the pedestrian route to get there, so I ended up just following the shore. Needless to say, I passed a plethora of homeless Bahians, and it was shocking to see that they were primarily LGBT, which definitely bothered me. I also watched a woman squat and poop right in front of me. And even though I had seen lots of poop along the way, it’s another thing to see it come out of someone’s behind. I can’t say that I didn’t “expect” to see a certain level of poverty, but it definitely was eye-opening to witness it first hand.

Imported Chocolate: Giiiirl! Wow, to see poop come out someone’s bare bottom is definitely an eye opener! That’s another thing I respect about traveling: the ability to be able to see beyond our comfort zones and witness the entire world and the plights of others. Because as human beings, sometimes we can get stuck in our bubbles and think that where we live is the entire world and it’s not true. I’m sad to hear that most of the homeless people were LGBT. That hurts my heart. Is it a big issue to be from the LGBT community in Brazil?

Arielle: Every country has it’s issues, but it seems like Brazil is more accepting of the LGBT community than the United States. But those are just my observations and talking to LGBT folks. I haven’t done any legislative or policy research in the country.

Imported Chocolate: OK. What are the citizens like in general?

Arielle: Salvador is like being in the South of America in terms of hospitality. The people are very welcoming, talkative, and helpful, at least from my experience. Very few people speak English, but they will try to work with you to get your point across in Portuguese. Pronunciation is big here, it’s not enough to “know” the word, you have to say it exactly right.

Imported Chocolate: That’s exactly how it was for me in Buenos Aires too! If I pronounced one letter wrong they could not understand me. It’s great to know the people of Salvador have such warmth. So is the Brazilian beauty legend true?

Arielle: Yes, the people are truly beautiful, and the men! Just wow! They look like they’ve been sculpted out of the earth. I’ve seen some of the best bodies in Brazil in my entire life.

Imported Chocolate: I knew it! So what are the boys like? I mean their personalities? Are they Casanovas? Tell me more please! *puts chin on fist* lol.

Arielle: They’re a bit possessive and clingy. That’s been a turn off for me. I revel in my freedom, so I’m never turned on by someone determined to latch on to me when I first meet them. But men in Salvador are excellent sweet talkers. They will give you all sorts of compliments. They’re not shy.

Imported Chocolate: Again, sounds exactly like Buenos Aires. I am beginning to think Argentines and Brazilians are like cousins. Or it could just be a South American thing. Anyway a few dates would be fun I bet.

Arielle: I’ve had a good time, no regrets! I’m certainly never against having fun, particularly with beautiful men!

Imported Chocolate: That’s what I am talking about! Moving on to food. Did you try any dishes that made you want to smack your mama? Not literally, of course. :0)

Arielle: I loved this dish called Makeka (I might be spelling it wrong) but it’s divine! I was having serious food orgasms as I ate it. You can get it in all types of different meats, but I chose shrimp (not a huge meat-eater anymore).

Imported Chocolate: OMG! That sounds yummy! What is it exactly?

Arielle: it’s like a gumbo, but lighter and yellow. There are tomatoes, peppers, and onions served with it and this special sauce made out of corn meal I think. I can’t really explain it, but it’s delicious!

Imported Chocolate: I want some now! Waaaaah! Have you checked out the beaches yet?

Arielle: lol…I’ve basically been to most of the beaches in Barra, but that’s it. They’re beautiful and the sound of the ocean is therapeutic.

Imported Chocolate: Sweet! Any good places to shop?

Arielle: I honestly haven’t been looking to shop much, but there’s all sorts of cool cultural/artistic spots in Pelourinho, which is the historic center of the city.

Imported Chocolate: I always love when there is a historic part of a city. Sometimes it feels like the past whispers to you when you walk old streets. Have you claimed any favorite spots yet?

Arielle: I’d say that the more secluded parts of Barra have won my heart. But I need to venture out more. There are a few islands that surround the city, so I plan to do that in a week or so.

Imported Chocolate: Awesome! What’s it like traveling in Brazil as a black American woman?

Arielle: Well, I can only speak for Salvador, but the biggest blessing is that I blend in with the people and therefore, get to see things that most tourists don’t. For instance, when I was walking that off beaten path to Barra, I could’ve easily been robbed. But because there’s such a strong African diasporic influence in Salvador, most assume that I’m Bahian and thus, I’m not treated any different than a local. I also try to dress down and wear no jewelry. The style here is very simplistic. Colorful, but nothing flashy.

Imported Chocolate: Wow. That’s good to know. What will you be doing for the remainder of your stay in Brazil?

Arielle: I’ll just be “living.” I don’t have a particular plan, just going where the universe leads me.

Imported Chocolate: And that is the perfect way to travel. The way I prefer, actually. What’s next on your itinerary? Do you plan to explore other parts of Brazil?

Arielle: I do, but I’m not in a rush. I’d like to see Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Sao Paulo, and other parts of Bahia. In due time though. When the opportunity or urge arises, I’ll go!

Imported Chocolate: Cool. How did you make this opportunity to travel to Brazil happen?

Arielle: I honestly didn’t plan for Brazil. I quit my job, prayed for more freelancing opportunities, and trusted the universe. Everything worked out, I’ve been surviving as an entrepreneur and full-freelance writer, and now I’m living my dream in Brazil.

Imported Chocolate: Do you have any advice for the everyday woman of color who is still on the fence about traveling?

Arielle: I’d just say GO! Traveling only changes you for the better, so what do you have to lose? Get some life experience and see other cultures. I promise it will be worth the effort.

Imported Chocolate: Any travel safety tips for women?

Arielle: I tell women to use common sense as you would in any situation. Don’t go out alone at night. Dress according to the local culture, so you don’t become a target. Learn the basics of the local language. And try to explore in general with at least one other person. That’s it!

Imported Chocolate: Thanks so much Arielle!

NOTE: Photo is Arielle’s own. I do not own any rights.

Tags: African American Women of Today Travel, Bahia Brazil, Black Girl Travel, Black Travel, Black Travel Blog, Black Travel Blogs, Black Women Travel, Black Women Traveling, inspiration, Travel