Cachoiera

Last weekend the program took a trip to Cachoiera. Cachoiera is a town on the Paraguacu River a few hours drive inland of Salvador. The town was once a booming center whose wealth came from the fruitful sugarcane plantations. However, since the decline of sugarcane, the town, too has slowly begun to deteriorate. The town is a has a nice mix of colonial-front buildings next to modern day farmacies next to colonial ruins. There are very few cars which makes the city seem so much more tranquil.





We took a 6 hour boat ride through the bay and up the Paraguacu river to get there. It was raining when we pulled away from the dock, but once the clouds cleared it was blazing hot. The best part of the boat was the cornucopia of fruit that we were served.



Half way up the river we stopped to look at the Sao Francisco Monastary. This (I believe) was the first Monastery built in South America. It is no longer in use and is begining to turn back to nature. We found someone in the town who unlocked it so we could see the inside. Bats live in the roof and lizards on the walls. One room didn't have a roof and the ground was turning to grass. But a lot was still preserved including the notable blue-tile bible motifs on the walls.



We stayed in a convent in Cachoiera that has been turned into a hotel.



On Saturday we crossed is the oldest bridge in South America (still the original construction) and walked along the town that lies on the opposite of the river to go take a dip in the river. Here is a picture taken from the bridge of the HUGE dam. According to our guide if this dam broke, in 12 minutes Salvador's lower city would be underwater. I'm not sure if that is possible, but none the less, it holds an enormous amount of water. (Paraguacu means "big" "arm" in tupi-guarani language)


On Sunday there was the Lavagem da Nossa Senhora da Ajuda. A procession of women (and a handful of transvestites) wearing the traditional white Bahian attire and carrying white flowers in vases on their heads paraded around the city and culminated in washing the steps of one of the churches.



There were also some boys wearing this ridiculous outfits. The explanation of their significance was not exactly clear. Back in the Day slaves were not allowed to participate in any of the Catholic ceremonies, so they would make their own. These costumes represents spirits and they are mocking the Portuguese because they have big heads with nothing in them. They were absolutely hilarious to watch as they danced around or played around with people. (Since you can't see their faces it reminded me of mascoting).



It was super hot, and staying hydrated was a must. Here Daddy is giving this girl some ice cold water