No time in São Paulo

Let it go
One of the biggest differences I feel since I have arrived in São Paulo is the notion of time. In Rio I was all relaxed, and slow, and had my dreamy rhythm of beach and books, cinema and city, sleep and drinks… Suddenly, in São Paulo, I feel like I have no time. Days feel like 8 […] Read More

Vila Mariana

Let it go
So here’s my new neighborhood: Vila Mariana. South of the centre of the city, it’s one of São Paulo’s most bohemian neighborhoods. When I found the place on Airbnb I mailed a friend and former colleague, who had lived in São Paulo for three years, to inquire whether this area was a good one. ‘Book it’ was […] Read More

Off to São Paulo

Let it go
And I’m off to São Paulo. Here are the flight statistics: Flight 4 to São Paulo  Date: 20/10/2013 Code: TAM3511from GIG to GRU Airline: Tam Linhas Aéreas Plane: Airbus 320 Distance flown: 303 Miles Duration: 0h55 Well, the actual duration was close to 4 hours… Let’s say Star Alliance will not miss TAM when they switch over […] Read More

Last day at the beach

Let it go
I had not given up hope yet to see Rio from above, the famous Cristo Retendor on top of Corcovado mountain, so I hopped on a bus, even though the statue was still hidden in the clouds. Once at the Cosmo Velho train station, I realized that the next available train was in 2h40. Ok, […] Read More

Exhibition in the rain

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I heard about a little art event at the Parque de Lage Art School that I had visited before, so I went again and had a second look at the exhibition. It was in the evening, with the Rio hip student crowd showing up. The dress code: Guys: scruffy. Girls: artsy-alternative. The setting was even […] Read More

Muqueca de Banana

Let it go
I had to go back. Espírito Santa, the restaurant, I mean. This time: Muqueca de Banana, a stew of not overly-ripe Bananas in a coconut sauce. The bananas were actually rather vegetable-like, firm, you nearly had to use a knife… Of orange color, no idea what kind of banana that was. It came with rice and some […] Read More

Culinary delights of Santa Teresa

Let it go
I had spotted that place when walking through the streets in Santa Teresa earlier, and noted that it had a big choice of vegetarian dishes. Salads, soups, vegetables…. So I strolled back Rua Almirante Alexandrino to Espírito Santa, leaving the Cozinha alemã on the sides, and sat down in this cosy, dark place. First thing: a suco de maracujá that […] Read More

A different kind of Rio

Let it go
So finally I went into Santa Teresa today… despite the low hanging clouds (I wish I had blue skies for the photos!). I nearly would have lived in Santa Teresa. There was a nice place for rent on Airbnb. In the end, I chose Ipanema, because of the beach, and because it seemed more busy, […] Read More