Luckily, my study abroad program put me with a host family that lives close to the beach. Although I haven't taken advantage of it as much I should have, when I do it's always a good way to spend my day. Salvador is a peninsula so it's surrounded by water on three sides. The neighborhood my program is based in is directly next to the beach, so I have easier access to it than the people who live in the middle of the peninsula.
Although Salvador's beaches are not necessarily different from any other beach in the world, beaches are special because they are spaces for people to come and hang out with friends and family. It's especially packed when the days are really hot. Many people come in groups to play futebol or beach ping pong. People also like to play music and talk. It's a great place to watch the sunset. When it sets, everyone on the beach claps.
The people depend on the ocean for food since many important cultural dishes include a lot of seafood. The beach also benefits local people through tourism. Since it's a location where many people, both locals and foreigners, visit regularly, there are hotels and hostels near the beach as well as travel agencies that organize trips.
