We took a bus from Paraty to Sao Paulo, the "New York of South America". It is as I expected, a humongous metropolis with high-rises spreading like weeds to the horizon. We stayed a few blocks off Avenida Paulista, the main street with many big banks decked out for Christmas in summer season. Huge colorful ornaments adorn the edifices, and the streets downtown are bustling with people. We tried to enter the signature Italia tower's top view deck but was refused for lack of proper attire. We hang out at the Museum of Art Sao Paulo and the nearby Trianon park with Fernando's friends Valdeck and David, who is visiting from Cuba. In Ibirapuera park we saw black swans hanging out in the tranquille lakes amidst the urban chaos.
Fernando took me to see his relatives in Sao Bernardo, a suburb of Sao Paulo two hours away by bus. They were holding a party attended by a few family friends with pasta lunch and impromptu dancing. Although I spoke little portuguese it was still very memorable to hang out with such a jovial group.
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