(I'm so so sorry for the huge delay on this post!!)
I guess it could be worse, but there is a music shop just outside Vivis apartment that has "Billie Jean" by MJ on repeat! Every morning we will hear it at least twice before leaving the apartment. Oh well! xD
This morning we head out to try and buy our coach tickets to Assis. We successfully bought one-way tickets to Assis but after trekking to the second bus station it was established that we would have to wait until we were in Assis before buying tickets home. We tried an internet café to book online, but again to no avail.
Fuming, we stopped back at the apartment, 'cooled down' and head back out and enjoyed the rest of the city.
The weather had cleared up so we stopped at a Café before heading up to Edifico Itália, one of the highest points in SP. Edificio Itália has incredible views. It's literally like looking out at a concrete jungle. Nothing but buildings stretched across the horizon! Although of course it was overcast, you don't see any mountains or sea. It's fascinating! Haha! Very different to the horizons of London, Paris and Shanghai.
I can't remember if I've mentioned this already, but there are a lot of music shops here! Complete contrast to Floripa. So many musicians too! I like it, it felt nice to be in a creative, alternative city. Same with the variety of people. I know that Brazil is obviously has multi-racial and multi-national heritage, but in SP it was a pleasant change not feeling like the only international person. Due to the amount of international students in UFSC I'm of course not the only international student in Floripa, but it's not so touristy in SP.... I dunno! I can't quite explain it!! xD
After a failed attempt to the Museu Afro-Brasileiro (Afro-Brazilian Museum) in which we had a lovely chat with an elderly lady who was an ex primary school teacher and she advised us against going to the museum because there is apparently not much to it. She also said that we were lucky to have bumped into her in particular because most people in the city probably wouldn't have actually known where it was due to the lack of cultural interest in SP! Shocking!
Zuz and I had a quick look around Casa das Rosas, the last mansion on Avenida Paulista. It has a beautiful garden and it feels like being transported back in time to the colonial age. I felt almost as if I'd stepped into a "Tarzan" movie, ha! As with the rest of SP though it felt surreal being there because it's wedged between very tall, modern skyscrapers, like a time warp.
We then headed to Shopping Pátio Paulista, a huuuuge shopping centre on Avenida Paulista. I almost bought a big blanket/throw/quilt but it would've been too bulky to bring back home in a suitcase. After browsing a couple of other shops and getting horrendously lost in the mall we headed back home.
I was desperate to eat out at one of the corner diners near the apartment: so we did. It was a brilliant meal and we left extremely satisfied. I'd mention the name of the restaurant but I can't remember it right now: check the highlights video!!
That evening we along with Vivi and Ramone head out to a 'secret' night club for a work event of Vivi's which turned into a really great night out! You had to be on "the list" to gain entry! It was like being a celebrity. Great music and great company!!
Thank you sooo much Vivi and Ramone!! I do miss these wonderful girls!!
Check out my highlights video for the visual details!!
*Note: we used up our last 'viagem' on our Cartao Fidelidade.
I guess it could be worse, but there is a music shop just outside Vivis apartment that has "Billie Jean" by MJ on repeat! Every morning we will hear it at least twice before leaving the apartment. Oh well! xD
This morning we head out to try and buy our coach tickets to Assis. We successfully bought one-way tickets to Assis but after trekking to the second bus station it was established that we would have to wait until we were in Assis before buying tickets home. We tried an internet café to book online, but again to no avail.
Fuming, we stopped back at the apartment, 'cooled down' and head back out and enjoyed the rest of the city.
The weather had cleared up so we stopped at a Café before heading up to Edifico Itália, one of the highest points in SP. Edificio Itália has incredible views. It's literally like looking out at a concrete jungle. Nothing but buildings stretched across the horizon! Although of course it was overcast, you don't see any mountains or sea. It's fascinating! Haha! Very different to the horizons of London, Paris and Shanghai.
I can't remember if I've mentioned this already, but there are a lot of music shops here! Complete contrast to Floripa. So many musicians too! I like it, it felt nice to be in a creative, alternative city. Same with the variety of people. I know that Brazil is obviously has multi-racial and multi-national heritage, but in SP it was a pleasant change not feeling like the only international person. Due to the amount of international students in UFSC I'm of course not the only international student in Floripa, but it's not so touristy in SP.... I dunno! I can't quite explain it!! xD
After a failed attempt to the Museu Afro-Brasileiro (Afro-Brazilian Museum) in which we had a lovely chat with an elderly lady who was an ex primary school teacher and she advised us against going to the museum because there is apparently not much to it. She also said that we were lucky to have bumped into her in particular because most people in the city probably wouldn't have actually known where it was due to the lack of cultural interest in SP! Shocking!
Zuz and I had a quick look around Casa das Rosas, the last mansion on Avenida Paulista. It has a beautiful garden and it feels like being transported back in time to the colonial age. I felt almost as if I'd stepped into a "Tarzan" movie, ha! As with the rest of SP though it felt surreal being there because it's wedged between very tall, modern skyscrapers, like a time warp.
We then headed to Shopping Pátio Paulista, a huuuuge shopping centre on Avenida Paulista. I almost bought a big blanket/throw/quilt but it would've been too bulky to bring back home in a suitcase. After browsing a couple of other shops and getting horrendously lost in the mall we headed back home.
I was desperate to eat out at one of the corner diners near the apartment: so we did. It was a brilliant meal and we left extremely satisfied. I'd mention the name of the restaurant but I can't remember it right now: check the highlights video!!
That evening we along with Vivi and Ramone head out to a 'secret' night club for a work event of Vivi's which turned into a really great night out! You had to be on "the list" to gain entry! It was like being a celebrity. Great music and great company!!
Thank you sooo much Vivi and Ramone!! I do miss these wonderful girls!!
Check out my highlights video for the visual details!!
*Note: we used up our last 'viagem' on our Cartao Fidelidade.