Local traditions and culture in São Paulo

In Brazil its commom people kiss the face each other when introduce yourself,but only man with woman or woman kiss another woman. Girls be prepare at pub because guys will ask you a kiss(not kiss in the face).
Boys always start conversation with girl when he try date.
the minimum age to drink its 18.
Young people like to go out 11:00 PM to dance or have fun time!
Try to drink caipirinha, Tradicional Brazilian drink , but careful if you drink a lot you can get high.

*****You will have to enlarge this photo to see what I mean: running along the top of the garage wall here is a colorful trim of all sizes of bits and shards of BROKEN GLASS! It sure beats plain 'ole barbed wire or the ugly, generic, clear broken glass....... ;-)))*****

The word " RAPEL "means,to get into a cascade by going down using a lash.
This sport became very popular in Brazil nowadays,and this region definately has it all for its addicts!!
I learned to practice Rapel here in Bocaina,it's not easy,but scaring sometimes,especially in one's first time!!
It requsts a good fitness,and a completely non-fear for heights!!
I'll post here some pictures of our "rapel".
Why it's here in "local customs" tips?
Well,because I learned it from a local guy here!!
Enjoy (and do not practice at home :-))

We like our fruits and vegetables fresh!

Every neighbourhood, from trendy Jardins to humble Santo Amaro, has a weekly market. A side street is roped off and farmers (or agents) set up their stalls, full of vegetables, fruits, fresh eggs, poultry and herbs. Each one is held on a specific day, both during the week or the weekend.

Housewives, housekeepers and families can be seen shopping for fresh produce, often pulling wire carts to make things easier. Most things are sold by the bunch, unit or bowlful. Visit every stall - you will soon learn who has the best of each thing you like.

The stall holders are part of the fun. They yell out slogans to call clients, as well as set lines such as "I don't charge beautiful women - but they can't take anything either!". Bargain, ask for a discount - anything goes!

After all that - I'm usually starved! So off to the pastel. This is a delicious treat of very thin dought (like a spring roll sheet) but instead of rolling it, it is cut in a large square, stuffed with cheese, chicken, palm heart, mince meat or anything else and fried. A lot of calories, but delicious!

To go with your pastel, ask for guarapa or sugar cane juice. You can see the guy extracting the juice in a small hand driven mill! It is very sweet, so add some lemon to cut it slightly.

First do not think that São Paulo is a chaos, if it is a chaos, I would say it is a pleasant one :) São Paulo is modern and the progress here has no breaks, but we have some green territories here where the birds can swim, where the birs can fly and where the birds can sing!

I found that interesting chap when I was in Ibirapuera Park!;)

November 8th, 2004

In a city of 18.000.000 people it is possible to meet people that you had any contact in some previous event. In this case, this very nice lady was in the same flight that Pierre was, and they just met each other in the busiest street of São Paulo, at Paulista Avenue!;)))))

November 8th, 2004

They finally have met!;)))) A brazilian swan saying HOWDIE to his colleague in Canada visiting São Paulo!:))))

It is a pleasure to see so many birds life in one of the biggest city in the World.

São paulo is cool!

November 8th, 2004

In a very remote town in the countryside of São Paulo State when we were returning to São Paulo from Iguazu Falls, in a gas station in Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo, we stop for shower time!

Most of the gas station in the road has shower for you to get cleaned.

One problem, COLD SHOWER, even in the winter!!!!

November 15th,2004