E: São Paulo exhibited
I am actually in Brazil. The fourth largest city in the world, third largest metropolitan area, second most dense populated city in the world, and biggest city in South-America. Hooked up with broadband at a hotel room (@ Ibis) in the middle of São Paulo, life is good.Despite the prolonged duration, my journey south came about nicely via Oslo, London and Madrid. The longest stretch, from Spain to Brazil overnight, was shortened through constructive discussions with a fellow traveler from London. Thadus I think his name was.
No sleep did not affect my activity level. After arrival Sunday I walked around a bit in the commercial and bank area where I stayed, Avenue Paulista, before heading down to the huge park Ibirapuera. Families, singles with dogs, photographers and exercisers enjoyed the well-kept grasslands. As rain starting to pour down, many people took shelter in the museums of the park. I visited the ones of modern art and Brazilian-African art.
Yesterday (Monday) I met Fernanda, a local who I met at Camp during my year in the US and her American visiting friend Amanda. We explored Liberdade, the Japanese part of São Paulo, saw the very city center, Sé, and ended up at Fernanda’s place where I met her very nice folks.
Today became a marathon of activities. Museum of São Paulo has painting of Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Picasso among others. The stock exchange was paid a visit, as was a peak over the city from the top of a viewing tower in the central area.
Morumbi stadium is the arena for noone less than São Paulo Futebol Clube – a team who has won the worldcup for clubs twice, had Leônidas da Silva (who introduced the Caesar’s kick) and has a stadium who introduced the use of a white/light colored soccer ball. Thanks to the fact that Fernandas dad, John, knows the marketing manager, me, Fernanda and Amanda, got a magnificent tour of the facilities this afternoon.
Bela Vista is the Italian quarter of SP. Tonight we enjoyed pasta and fish while an enthustiastic violion-dude played an ocean of tunes accompanied by a accordian-lady.
The public transportation is functioning well. The rain has visited frequently. The attractions are many. Yet São Paulo is not the place with the unique sites that couldn’t have been built elsewhere. Museums and exhibitions dominates, as there is no beach.
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