One Love

    Perched into the mountainside of Morro De Sao Paulo, a tropical island off the coast of Bahia in Brazil, is a majestic hang out called 'One Love'. A colorful mural of Bob Marley is painted on the only wall in the place, leaving the rest open to fresh air and sunshine. People lounge in the hammocks and sunbath to the sounds of live music typical to Northern Brazil. The waitstaff sits and smokes and laughs with the patrons, only getting up to crack a fresh tall bottle of beer to pass around amongst friends. People drink from small chilled glasses, filling anyone's glass that is within arm's length.
    Anyone who is in the mellow mood can pick up a hand-drum or tambourine and play along with the local musicians. Bob Marley's universal lyrics rings through the air as people sing along to 'Redemption Song'. There are no cars on Morro, and 'One Love' is located off the beaten path down a jungle trail, so people come and go at a much slower pace than I am used to. The unusual foreign, yet comfortable sounds of people's conversations from the corner's of the World pass through my ears as I daydream looking out at the sunset. Maybe it's just because I am an observer, but it seems people in Brazil have a lot more to talk about in a much more animated way than people from The States.
    The cigarette's and weed burn constantly as if the smoke is necessary to keep the mosquitoes at bay. I find myself indulging in both more frequently than back home, trying to fit into the Brazilian culture. Walk down 10-steps to the beach for a refreshing swim in the ocean or for a walk down the white sand beach. Either way, 'One love' is the place to go to relax and forget about time or anything else that may be bothering you.