SAN PAULO

10.06.-15.06.11

It wasn't really my plan to go to SAO PAULO!!!! Sao Paulo is a huuuge city, home to approx. 20 Million people and more skyscrapers than every possibly be counted!!! Regarding the "LonelyPlanet" it is the cultural capital of Brazil and has more than 12.500 world-class restaurants, 400 experimental theatres and cinemas and the best Samba clubs and bars.

But when I received an invitation of my friends "David and Monica" who I met in PUCON in Chile I decided to come for a few days. And as it was on my way from RIO DE JANEIRO to FOZ DE IGUACU I took the bus on Friday, 10.06.11 and arrived at 5pm at the "Monster City". Thanks to David who emailed me a very good description of how to get to their place I didn't have any problems taking the METRO and then a taxi to their nice suburb "Itam Bibi". Even though that I don't speak a word of PORTUGESE I also managed to buy the ticket and get the taxi quite quickly. When I knocked on their flat door I was welcomed by David's lovely daughter Melina who was very interested in my travel stories.

It was so nice to see Monica and David when they came home. They apologized about their tiny flat but as I was used to sleep on couches and air mattresses I didn't have a problem to sleep in the living room. As it was late and everyone was quite hungry we decided to go to a Japanese Restaurant which was nearby. Mmmhhh… it was the first time in 8 months that I went to a Japanese Restaurant and all the different meals we shared were absolutely delicious and soooo cheap.

The next day (Saturday, 11.06.11) we drove Melina to her Mum's place in SAN BERNADINO which was approx. 30 Minutes away. After that we took the METRO into the City Centre. It was so nice of David and Monica to show me around the City Centre as they have been living in Sao Paulo for most of their live and therefore I couldn't ask for better tour guides.

We went to the atmospheric old centre which lies between "Praca de Se" and "Praca de Republica". Then walked over to the just restored old "Teatro Municipal" and to the Japanese suburb.

As it was "Valentine's day" in Brazil, David and Monica went for dinner. So I decided to catch up with the Couchsurfer Oldimar who picked me up at 10pm. We drove to the bohemian suburb of "Vila Madalena" where we went to a "Roof top party". Mmmh…unfortunately it was quite cold that night but the conversation with Olidmar who could perfectly speak German was so interesting that we kept chatting until 1am. Even though that we probably could have continued our conversation we left the party at 1am and Olidimar drove me back to David's and Monica's flat.

My plan was to move to Lucianna and Elenir, a Couchsurfer couple who invited me to stay with them at the suburb "Bom Retiro" which was very close to the city centre. But as David and Monica had already planned to take me to Monica's parents place for lunch on Sunday, 12.06.11 I quickly phoned Elinir to tell him that I would arrive a bit later.

So off we went to Monica's parents' house at 12pm. When we arrived I had to lough as Jenny (Monica's mum) just kept touching my hair and my face and said "Que linda y tan alto!" (How nice and she is so tall!) Monica's father was as nice and kept asking me about my travels and I was impressed how good his English was even though that he was about 65 years old.

While we had a lovely lunch with a bottle of wine I told them all my travel stories and we had a lot of fun. Poor David as he had to translate every single word to Monica's parents….but they wanted me to continue and so I did. Three hours later we left and Monica and David dropped me off at the Metro Station where I said "Good Bye" to a wonderful and very positive couple.

Puuhh… what a nice and intense weekend. I would have loved to review the whole weekend but there was no time as I went straight to my next hosts. Elenir and Luciana…..a Couchsurfer couple who invited me to their house for a couple of days.

Elenir and Luciana live in the surburg of "Bom Retiro" and both speak very well English. Elinir welcomed me with a big smile on his Brazilian looking face when I arrived at their flat on Sunday, 13.06.11.! Luciana wasn't at home as she had to do one of her Sunday shifts.

Well after we got to know each other very quickly we went to the supermarket and on the way back Elenir drove me around their suburb which was very close to the city centre. As I was quite tiered from my busy weekend I went to bed early.

The other morning, Monday, 14.06.11 I met Luciana. What a nice, beautiful and intelligent person. As both of them started working after lunch we enjoyed a long breakfast. Later on I went to the "Mercardo Municipal" which was highly recommended by E&L. And Yes I loved the marked as I just went from stall to stall chatted to the merchants and ate lovely local fruits and dishes until I nearly exploded…..but I couldn't help myself, I just love food markets!

From there I walked to the city centre where I went to the "Banco de Brasil" Building. As it is one of the highest high-rise buildings in Sao Paulo you can go up to the top for free. Even though that it was a cloudy day it was worth going up there and to see the "Monster of city" from the top.

On Tuesday, 15.06.11 I booked a flight with Elenir over the internet. Nearly all of the Brazilian airlines don't accept international Credit cards and therefore Elenir was so kind to book my flight over his credit card. I couldn't believe how lucky I was…..as we found a flight from Sao Paulo to Foz do Iguacu for 45 Euro for the next day…..yiphee!!!

That night we went over for dinner to Luciana's parent's house where I also met her two sisters. Again I experienced such a nice, welcoming and friendly family and we had a very delicious "meat soup" and had great fun sitting around a tiny table in a tiny kitchen with 7 people.

The next morning, Wednesday, 16.06.11 when my flight was going to FOZ DO IGUACU Elenir & Luciana also got up with me quite early just to enjoy our last breakfast together. When it was time to leave Elenir insisted to walk me to the Metro station where we finally said Good Bye. Wow what another amazing Couchsurfing experience.