Well I know it has been a while since I wrote to everyone. I felt like there has been so much to write about that I sort of got overwhelmed just thinking about it. But I owe you some updates, so here goes…
Well in October I went to the islands of Boa Vista and Sal (the names of the islands literally translate into good view and Salt). Boa Vista is gorgeous! The beaches have ridiculously white sand and blue water. There is also a desert there that is so amazing and almost indescribable in its beauty. There were literally times that I just couldn't even speak, I just had to stop and stare. The pictures we have don't begin to compare to the real thing. However, even with all the beauty I could never live there. There were literally no cape Verdeans, ok there were a few, and it was so touristy. They had resorts the size of cities. Everyone we saw was either from another island, Italian or Portuguese. Even with all that I thought that I was ready for Sal…not so much.
Sal is the tourist capital of the islands of Cape Verde. There were hotels and resorts everywhere! It also had magnificent beaches and beautiful scenery. There were also…restaurants! We actually went to an Indian restaurant that was owned by a married couple from India who lived in the Canary Islands for like 20 years. They were really nice and the food was good. But the downside because the islands are relatively remote and far away from Santiago, food is very expensive, therefore restaurants were expensive and the portions were a lot smaller. Even on Boa vista an orange was 4 times more than on the island of Santiago.
In Sal we went to the salt mines. It was really cool. They have pools with water and they are filled with salt and you can go and sit in the pools and your skin comes out unbelievably smooth. People from Spain, Portugal, and Italy come just to lie in these pools and see the salt mines. It is a national park so all cape Verdeans get in for free.
Well in October I went to the islands of Boa Vista and Sal (the names of the islands literally translate into good view and Salt). Boa Vista is gorgeous! The beaches have ridiculously white sand and blue water. There is also a desert there that is so amazing and almost indescribable in its beauty. There were literally times that I just couldn't even speak, I just had to stop and stare. The pictures we have don't begin to compare to the real thing. However, even with all the beauty I could never live there. There were literally no cape Verdeans, ok there were a few, and it was so touristy. They had resorts the size of cities. Everyone we saw was either from another island, Italian or Portuguese. Even with all that I thought that I was ready for Sal…not so much.
Sal is the tourist capital of the islands of Cape Verde. There were hotels and resorts everywhere! It also had magnificent beaches and beautiful scenery. There were also…restaurants! We actually went to an Indian restaurant that was owned by a married couple from India who lived in the Canary Islands for like 20 years. They were really nice and the food was good. But the downside because the islands are relatively remote and far away from Santiago, food is very expensive, therefore restaurants were expensive and the portions were a lot smaller. Even on Boa vista an orange was 4 times more than on the island of Santiago.
In Sal we went to the salt mines. It was really cool. They have pools with water and they are filled with salt and you can go and sit in the pools and your skin comes out unbelievably smooth. People from Spain, Portugal, and Italy come just to lie in these pools and see the salt mines. It is a national park so all cape Verdeans get in for free.
Overall it was a really good trip. I had a great time although I am pretty sure I am going to avoid taking boats after the 8 hour trip to Boa Vista and then another 5 hours to Sal and then the 12 hour round trip back to Praia. I mean it is a lot cheaper but now I understand why. I am gad I went as well because it allowed me to see the beauty in Santiago in a better light. I knew that I picked the right island a year ago. I love Santiago. I love the Kriolu here, I love the culture, the food is great here, the people are beautiful. I have a connection to this island and after coming back from Senegal it definitely has a connection and strong stereotypical African essence. It is a beautiful island but also that is what I love about Cape Verde: that EVERY single island is so drastically different and EVERY island's kriolu is so different and unique but they all are proud and strong in their patriotism and loyalty to Cape Verde.
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