campinas: where humidity meets chaos and my shoes regret everything
just got back from campinas, and let me tell you, it’s not exactly the first place that pops up when you google ‘tropical paradise.’ the weather? i just checked and it’s *21.5°C with 97% humidity thick enough to chew, so pack your extra deodorant and a fan, if that’s your jam. not exactly ideal for marathon walking, but perfect for growing fungi on your backpack.
first things first, you gotta hit the mercado municipal. it’s a food swamp of epic proportions. someone told me that the tapioca vendor there uses a family recipe that’s been passed down since dinosaurs roamed the earth. i also heard that the pastel stand in the back corner secretly serves meat versions to vegetarians, which is either chaotic genius or a cry for help.
“dude, if you go to the market, wear clothes you’d burn after. the grease stains are basically trophies.” - a guy wiping his hands on a paper towel that disintegrated mid-wipe
“avoid the feira livre on tuesdays unless you wanna see a guy juggle pineapples while arguing about politics. it’s a vibe.” - a local who smelled like cheese and existential dread
if you get bored, são paulo and Santos are only a short drive away for a day trip, but honestly? campinas has its own weird charm. the hipermercados here are dystopian wonderlands with aisles dedicated solely to brazilian cheeses. i spent 45 minutes lost in the coffee section, and it was the most zen i’ve felt in months.
also, pro tip: the bar do zé near the university has coxinha so good it’ll make you question your life choices. the line’s always long, but the guy behind the counter moves like he’s got ants in his pants. efficient chaos, i tell you.
oh, and the ponte penteado? it’s this pedestrian bridge that’s basically a canvas for street art. one night, i saw a dude spraypainting a giant taco while arguing with a pigeon about parking rights. campinas is that kind of place.
“if you’re looking for quiet, you’re in the wrong continent. bring earplugs and a sense of humor.” - a bartender who served me something that tasted like liquid fire
before i forget, check out this campinas food tour on tripadvisor if you wanna follow in my greasy footsteps. also, yelp’s list has some hidden gems, like that one pastelaria* that’s only open when the moon is full and the humidity’s below 90%. good luck with that.
so yeah, campinas. it’s not pretty, it’s not polished, and my feet still hate me. but it’s got this messy energy that’s kinda… addictive. like eating street food at 2am: you know it might backfire, but you’d do it again.
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