Sao Paulo for New Years Eve
Feliz ano novo!!! In Portuguese, Happy New Year!!!
After a 30 hour odyssey from Japan (the largest city in the world, we arrive at the fourth largest city in the world, Sao Paulo (Sampa). Sampa is a sprawling metropolis, and we stayed in an upscale barrio called Itaim Bibi. We were couch surfing (www.couchsurfing.org) with a Brit, Stephen Boyd, an profoundly thoughtful, intellectual person who works for an investment bank and dates a marvelous woman (Patricia), a native of Sao Paulo. We were in very good hands.
Stephen and Patricia had just returned from 4 days at the beach, and had no plans for New Year's Eve. Our bodies were still, technically, in Asia, so we were jello-malleable guests open to anything and everything. While Cat took a power-nap, Stephen and Patricia took me on a walk through Ibirapuera Park, the architectural complex created by Oscar Niemeyer and a team of other architects. The park was largely disserted, but magnificent in its layout and buildings. When we got back to Stephen's apartment, I woke up Cat and we proceeded to enjoy chat, eat hors d'oeuvres, and enjoy some South American wine. It was a great venue to get to know our hosts, and to share stories.
Finally,
we collectively decided to make the trek downtown to the Avenida Paulista, and hear the live concert and join the Sampa revellers. It can get a bit dicey in terms of pick-pockets, fights, and other crime, but Stephen suggested that we go relatively early to enjoy the vibe, and then depart before the party degenerated into chaos. It was a great plan. As we stepped out of our taxi, we could hear the samba music, and the murmuring of the building crowd. The policia had closed the access streets to the Avenida, and we cleared the security line without incident, except for Patricia's umbrella. Apparently, folding umbrellas can be used as weapons, and she was denied entrance with her "lethal" rain cover. Once on the Avenida, we bought some cocktails and wandered towards the main stage. More than a few very drunk revellers danced, sang, yelled, screamed, laughed and partied around us. We were pretty mellow by comparison, but were having a good time people watching and listening to the music.
Many of the locals seemed to have a different Avenida plan to ours. Since the policia denied access with containers of any sort, many people were stoned-drunk when they entered, and just rode the wave for the rest of the night. For a change, I was sober enough to simply observe and cherish my sobriety for a night.
Around 11:30pm, and towards the end of grammy award winner Maria Rita's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Rita) set, we hopped a cab for Itaim Bibi and toasted new years on Stephen's balcony with the pops of the fireworks echoing through the high-rise buildings.
It was low-key and highly special to make new friends and get exposed to a wholly new culture. As we
gratefully laid down to sleep after our 3 continent odyssey the night before, we were grateful to Stephen and Patricia, grateful for music and joy on Avenida Paulista, grateful for the friends and family we would call the next day, and especially grateful for the opportunity to travel the world and create such memorable experiences.
Feliz ano novo!!! In Portuguese, Happy New Year!!!
After a 30 hour odyssey from Japan (the largest city in the world, we arrive at the fourth largest city in the world, Sao Paulo (Sampa). Sampa is a sprawling metropolis, and we stayed in an upscale barrio called Itaim Bibi. We were couch surfing (www.couchsurfing.org) with a Brit, Stephen Boyd, an profoundly thoughtful, intellectual person who works for an investment bank and dates a marvelous woman (Patricia), a native of Sao Paulo. We were in very good hands.
Stephen and Patricia had just returned from 4 days at the beach, and had no plans for New Year's Eve. Our bodies were still, technically, in Asia, so we were jello-malleable guests open to anything and everything. While Cat took a power-nap, Stephen and Patricia took me on a walk through Ibirapuera Park, the architectural complex created by Oscar Niemeyer and a team of other architects. The park was largely disserted, but magnificent in its layout and buildings. When we got back to Stephen's apartment, I woke up Cat and we proceeded to enjoy chat, eat hors d'oeuvres, and enjoy some South American wine. It was a great venue to get to know our hosts, and to share stories.Finally,
we collectively decided to make the trek downtown to the Avenida Paulista, and hear the live concert and join the Sampa revellers. It can get a bit dicey in terms of pick-pockets, fights, and other crime, but Stephen suggested that we go relatively early to enjoy the vibe, and then depart before the party degenerated into chaos. It was a great plan. As we stepped out of our taxi, we could hear the samba music, and the murmuring of the building crowd. The policia had closed the access streets to the Avenida, and we cleared the security line without incident, except for Patricia's umbrella. Apparently, folding umbrellas can be used as weapons, and she was denied entrance with her "lethal" rain cover. Once on the Avenida, we bought some cocktails and wandered towards the main stage. More than a few very drunk revellers danced, sang, yelled, screamed, laughed and partied around us. We were pretty mellow by comparison, but were having a good time people watching and listening to the music.Many of the locals seemed to have a different Avenida plan to ours. Since the policia denied access with containers of any sort, many people were stoned-drunk when they entered, and just rode the wave for the rest of the night. For a change, I was sober enough to simply observe and cherish my sobriety for a night.
Around 11:30pm, and towards the end of grammy award winner Maria Rita's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Rita) set, we hopped a cab for Itaim Bibi and toasted new years on Stephen's balcony with the pops of the fireworks echoing through the high-rise buildings.
It was low-key and highly special to make new friends and get exposed to a wholly new culture. As we
gratefully laid down to sleep after our 3 continent odyssey the night before, we were grateful to Stephen and Patricia, grateful for music and joy on Avenida Paulista, grateful for the friends and family we would call the next day, and especially grateful for the opportunity to travel the world and create such memorable experiences. 
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