Sao Paolo Brazil 巴西圣保罗 – 4/2017 (25)

28-29/4/2017. I touched down in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, in no time. The flight took an hour, but the taxi ride from the airport to my accommodation took about two hours, bogged down by the traffic.

Today was my second day here. The public transportation and subways were closed due to worker strikes. The main streets in the city center were closed for street protests by about 20 organization bodies. I asked a local in the crowd what happened. He insisted emotionally, in his hesitant English, “It is not acceptable to throw the people in the toilet!” The protestors paraded replicas of their scorned politicians in air-filled statues and proceeded to lecture and ridicule them. Freedom does have its inconveniences. It was frustrating for them, but fun for me.

I ventured out on a city tour of São Paulo today. I did not see much in the way of impressive colonial buildings. Quite a big difference between the old colonies of Spain, such as the many cities in Peru, and Portugal, which is Brazil. This city had a significant presence of African descent and of mixed ethnicity. I also noticed more Asians here, making it easier for me to be less conspicuous. This was an interesting melting pot. Beggars and the homeless were common sights, while merchandise hawkers lined the main shopping streets in the city center. At the same time, there were many tasteful cafes around, and people were welcoming. They enjoyed their freedom; unfortunately, sometimes it was not pretty.

On a Saturday evening, I ventured out around the Paraiso metro station neighborhood to see what the people do. I dined at a jazz restaurant recommended by my host. Although fully packed and with no prior booking, I was given a front-row seat. Young people, families, lovers filled the restaurant, everyone dressed for the evening out and looking their best. I enjoyed one of the best chili burgers, finishing off with one of the best brownies with ice cream. Three jazz musicians kept us in the mood the whole evening. Tonight I mingled with São Paulo— a perfect evening out.

28-29/4/2017 到了圣保罗，巴西最大城市，一小时多的飞行，但到住宿路上却堵车两小时。第二天，公交，地铁都停运，听说二十多个团体罢工了。图中圣保罗最中心地段因而封闭。一位青年用口吃英语告知，情绪稍激动，“这些领导不该把老百姓都扔入马桶！”。群众把充气塑料领导请到台上，大吐苦水讥讽。民主有发言权，也有代价。这天出行不便，只能在这里徘徊湊热闹。

乘观光巴游遍圣保罗，好像没太多殖民时期建筑，可能这就是西班牙和葡萄牙在殖民地留下痕迹各有不同。这城市非裔和其混血后裔较多，出现在这里的黄种人也比其他拉美城市较多，我因此容易融入，也感觉受欢迎。这城市的确有多面，乞讨的，风餐露宿的，摆摊的，展示这城市现实风貌。同时品味咖啡馆也比比皆是，人们友善，文明，有风度，时髦，也有他迷人的风范。这城市就是自由，潇洒，在逆境里享受生活。

今晚房东介绍我到小区附近吃饭。虽没预定，迎宾把我安排在雅座，就在演台前。今晚这里吃了最好吃的汉堡加墨西哥辣肉碎，也尝了最棒的布朗妮蛋糕加冰淇淋。餐厅挤满了年轻人，家庭，情侣，都打扮得时髦体面。整晚三位演奏爵士音乐调节情调。这场面搭配得很有品位，晚餐近乎完美。