Mercure Campinas Hotel

A Kiss on the Cheek!

by klarson

When two women or a man and women greet each other in Brazil, they will usually kiss each other on the cheek and say "Tudo Bem?" or "Tudo Bom?" ("It is fine with you?"). There is nothing sexual about this practice. People are very sociable and place much importance on family. When I was visiting my friend, often extended family members would drop by unexpectedly, and it was important to greet them!

ABPF in Campinas, January 2001

by glabah

"ABPF Symbol on the Side of a Passenger Car"

This is the symbol the ABPF uses on the sides of the passenger cars in Campinas.

"Interior of Cars"

The cars have a few modern features, such as the floor material, but restoration has been done to maintain a historic appearance.

"Locomotive Collection"

The locomotive collection includes a number of steam locomotives, almost all of them wood-burners. There are a few diesel as well.

"Loading the Wood"

Loading the wood on the locomotive includes some modern equipment, such as chain saws.

According to one of the ABPF people, the wood mostly comes from used pallets from a nearby factory.

"Scenery Along The Line"

Scenery Along the Line, at least at the time of this visit, was mostly rural. Lost of trees and pasture land, as well as old coffee plantations that were the reason for the line to exist to begin with.

"Up-Close Look of Plant Life"

In same cases, the line-side grass had grown so high that it actually came in the windows, and was higher than the train.