Weekend in São Paulo

After my first few days in São Paulo I have to agree with the New York Times when they said "It may be the ugliest, most dangerous city you’ll ever love". There have been times that have been quiet unnerving and then times where we have stumbled upon some of the most beautiful places. It really is a city of great contrasts.

None more so than on Saturday morning when we visited the downtown area of São Paulo. There is the beautiful São Paulo Cathedral (pictured below) surrounded by some of the most interesting (read: scary) characters I have ever encountered. If it wasn't for the large police presence I would have been straight back in a cab and back to the hotel!

We did find a great Brazilian place for lunch. The Brazilians love their meat and beer, as you can see by all the beer bottles lined up on the ceiling. They also had a band playing and an old member was telling us all about the music, but as he was speaking Portuguese Michael and I missed most of what he was saying. We are getting very good at the smile and nod.

After lunch, we got our skates on and headed to a nicer part of town (read: a part of town we didn't feel so vulnerable).

On Sunday we walked from our hotel to the Parque do Ibirapuera, São Paulo's Central Park. There is the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo inside where they were showing a great Eco Living exhibition.

We got some fresh coconut water while in the park. I have gotten into coconut water back in New York but I have to say that it is nothing like the stuff you get straight out of the coconut. Delicious, refreshing and surprisingly filling.

Michael has had to go to work today (that is why we are here after all) and now I have been left to my own devices. I think I will do an outing a day to a museum and/or gallery. And I will definitely stay away from downtown!