QT (Quick Trip/Tour) to São Paulo

April 21

Tour Day

I arose later than usual Monday morning, following our late-night/early morning talk the prior night. Ana mãe and I had brunch and then went to pick-up Demitila and Edgar. Before exploring some of the city of São Paulo, we went by the bus station so that I could go ahead and purchase my return-trip ticket to Itajubá for the next day. The rodoviaria was huge! When searching for the right bus company, we saw a stand that sold tickets for Peru. What a trip that would be. Ana mãe said that would be a very scenic trip, being able to see so much landscape traveling across the continent. I said that I would no longer have a butt after a trip like that [haha]. 

A trip to Peru from São Paulo would hands-down be the longest bus ride of my life! Ha.

Centro Histórico

In front of Edifício Itália

The weather was great for a walk about the centro histórico (historic center) of São Paulo. Along with Ana's mom, aunt, and uncle, we walked around visiting certain buildings and streets that were significant places to the history of the city and Brazil.

Teatro Municipal

Entrance to the theater. Cool architecture.

Fountain nearby. Big flag in the praça do Brasil.

Demetilia, Me, and Edgar standing in front of Pateo do Collegio, where the city of São Paulo was founded.

House #1

Street Artist

(L) Cones were set up along the street for bikers. The red trucks collected the cones and equipment.
(R) An example of two types of public buses that run in São Paulo: gas and electric.

Had to snap a picture of the name of this street! ;)

Mercadão (Mercado Municipal)

We stopped by the central market in order to grab a snack and visit the place. It was huge! Not all of the stands were open, but it was evident that on a regular business day- that place was hoppin'!!

Pastel- a popular fried snack food (salgado). The juice was good! Suco de abacaxi com hortelã. (Pineapple juice + mint)

Palmitos (palm fruit) inside. The snack was as big as my face! Biggest pastel I have eaten.

Ironic name for a meat stand... no way the pig is happy.

Yes that's a fruit stand with a chocolate fondu machine.

We ate pastel and walked by a several different stands selling a variety of items. Edgar stopped at a stand that sold different types of nuts. There, I too made a purchase. I bought two bags: one of sweet cashews, and the other was a mix called misto americano. Before leaving the market, Demetilia and I bought small fruit salads from this stand <---. Fresh and delicious.

Drive Around

After leaving the market, we drove around different parts of the city. Unfortunately there was not enough time for me to really get to know each place, but I was able to see some the spots I hope to explore next time.

A glimpse of Liberdade, a Japanese-cultured neighborhood in São Paulo. Kind of like how China town is in NY, São Paulo also has a number of ethnic enclaves. I would like to visit this district next time!

Another futebol stadium!

The Estadio Municipal is used by a number of soccer teams in the area.

Inside is not only a field, but a soccer museum.
A must-visit for the next time I'm in SP.

Along Avenida Paulista, there were two models having a photo shoot.

On the side of a building- an artistic tribute to Oscar Niemeyer, the famous Brazilian architect.

 A man passed-out on a patch of grass along the avenue. Reality of how some live.

An obelisk monument found near Ibirapuera Park.

Ana mãe drove me around to several places. It was a nice trip, and possible because traffic was lighter than usual.

Shopping Again

That night, Ana mãe, Demetilia, and I went to a mall. I visited a few more stores and left with two new pairs of pants and a nice long-sleeve shirt (it's now getting cooler down here in Brazil). The Southern Hemisphere is in Fall, whereas back home in Georgia, it is Spring time. It's fascinating how the tilt of the Earth's axis affects these things. We later stopped at a restaurant to pick-up some food to eat once we arrived home. 

Esfiha aberta. Basically like a mini-pizza without the pizza sauce and with different types of toppings.

Easter Sunday

April 20

Mass. Family Lunch. Futebol!

Easter Mass

Sunday morning, Ana's mom accompanied me to Mass. It was very nice of her, and I learned that she grew up as a catholic too. Now, Paulo Pai and Ana Mãe are 7th Day Adventists. The church we went to Easter morning was really nice, with a big painting of the Last Supper depicted on the wall behind the altar.

After mass, Paulo Pai picked us up and we stopped by a magazine/newspaper store to see if they had any World Cup albums. Around this time of year, an album is released that contains all of the competing teams in the FIFA World Cup. What makes these albums attracting and fun, is that fans (especially kids) enjoy collecting all the different figurinhas (cards) of the different soccer players in order to complete their albums. Pablo Pai told me about this, and I was interested in finding one and starting my own collection. It would be a great way to get in to the spirit of the upcoming tournament, and make for a great souvenir! The albums come in a soft and hard-backed covers. When we arrived at the shop, we asked about a hard-covered album, but they didn't have any. Preferring the sturdier type, I didn't buy one right then and there.

Almoço

Next on the day's agenda was the family lunch. I met more of the family, on Ana Mãe's side, and eat a Portuguese dish: bacalhau - a cod dish that is prepared with a number of things. This one had potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, olives, and carrots [hmmmm!] and was baked with a covering of cabbage. The bacalhau is covered in foil there^ (I will show a picture of what it looks like a little later).

São Paulo FC

Paulo Pai and I had to eat our lunch quickly, because we had an engagement to get to... a São Paulo FC match!! Paulo Pai asked me the prior day if I would like to go to "his" soccer team's home match. After asking me which Brazilian soccer club I supported and teasing with me about having to support São Paulo FC from then on, I told him that I would really enjoy going to see them play. I was also interested because the US Men's National Team will be based at São Paulo FC's facilities while they are here this summer for the World Cup. So I already had a kind of connection to the team. Ana mãe and her sister Demetilia drove us to the stadium.

When we arrived, there was a loooooooooooong line of fans, waiting to purchase their ticket and enter the stadium. Paulo Pai and I were surprised at the number of people that had come out one of the biggest religious holidays of the year. We missed most of the first half, but when the fans inside the stadium cheered, everyone outside began to yell and cheer too. São Paulo FC scored two goals while we were waiting in line. They dominated the game and ended up beating Botafogo by the score of 3-0.

Estádio Morumbi

Bacalhau- is to the top-left corner of the plate. 

Late Night Talk

Once we returned home after the game, I enjoyed the left-overs from lunch as supper. I had a little bit of everything on my plate: torta de frango e catipury, arroz, bacalhau, bife, e pudim. I tried cashew fruit juice as well, it was good. 

After dinner, Paulo Pai asked me about my faith. We then entered in to a long, in-depth conversation about Christianity, God, beliefs, and a few differences between different dominations. I learned more about 7th Day Adventists and some of their customs. It was a really good talk and I am thankful that he asked me. There is still so much to learn about Jesus and I have a lot to investigate in order to affirm my own faith and build a better relationship with God.