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<\/p>\nNamed after Saint Paul of Tarsus, S\u00e3o Paulo is Brazil’s vibrant financial center. As well as being Brazil’s richest state, it’s also the largest city in South America.<\/p>\n
Located in the southeast region of Brazil, it’s well worth a visit, especially if you are into cool architecture. We’re thinking here of its iconic buildings, from its neo-Gothic cathedral and the 1929 Martinelli skyscraper to modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer\u2019s curvy Edif\u00edcio Copan.<\/p>\n
Travel blogger Alisa shares the lowdown on S\u00e3o Paulo!<\/p>\n
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What comes to mind when I tell you that I went to Brazil? Football? Salsa dancing? The Amazon rainforest? Tanning at the beach? I went to Brazil and I did none of those things!<\/p>\n
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The purpose of my trip was to meet my dear pen pal of 10 years, and get to know his city, S\u00e3o Paulo. When I tell Brazilians that I only visited S\u00e3o Paulo, they usually look disappointed and tell me that I saw the boring, business side of Brazil. I beg to differ\u2014Brazilians have a rich, artistic heritage that is more alive than ever, so take a day to explore the art and architecture this city has to offer.<\/p>\n
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Catedral de S\u00e9 sits in the city centre, and the plaza buzzes with demonstrations by people of many different religions. This neo-gothic cathedral took 54 years to build, and was finished in 1967. But the church plaza has been in use since the 16th century, serving as a spiritual, political, and physical orientation point. I was impressed at how the neighbourhoods around the church have blended their European, African, and Asian roots to make up modern-day Brazil.<\/p>\n
From S\u00e9 Square, make your way to Avenida Paulista, the most famous street in S\u00e3o Paulo. It is a financial hub, a major artery in the city, but is pleasantly walkable. Stop for lunch at one of its delicious sidewalk caf\u00e9s and enjoy a couple of hours of people watching.<\/p>\n
Stroll down Avenida Paulista to the Museu de Arte de S\u00e3o Paulo, otherwise known as MASP. The art museum is suspended over an outdoor square that has local artisans vending their handiwork, antique sellers, and depending on the day, political demonstrators. The museum itself owns an impressive collection of important historic and contemporary works\u2014including pieces by C\u00e9zanne, Matisse, Picasso, Botticelli, El Greco, Van Gogh, Diego Rivera, and Almeida J\u00fanior. Can you tell I was in heaven?<\/p>\n
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For an afternoon pick-me-up, I highly recommend visiting Coffee Lab. Its team of informed hipsters handpicks the coffee blends and supervises the roasts on site. When you visit, you can order a \u201cservice\u201d and have a professional explain the creation of that perfect cup. I ordered the cappuccino service, and got a taste and a short history of the differences between Italian and Brazilian cappuccinos. Buy some bags of beans and traditional Brazilian rapadura candies to bring back as gifts for your not so lucky friends.<\/p>\n
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