São Paulo: Concrete Jungles and Seriously Good Pastel de Nata
okay, so. São Paulo. Where do I even begin? I just got back, and my brain feels like a tangled ball of yarn someone’s cat got into. It’s… a lot. Like, a lot a lot. I was supposed to be scouting locations for a low-budget indie film - you know, the kind where the drama is mostly fueled by instant noodles and existential dread - but honestly, the city itself is more dramatic than anything I could write.
I’m a freelance photographer, mostly, so I’m always chasing light and weird angles. São Paulo delivers on the weird, let me tell you. It’s this incredible collision of brutalist architecture and vibrant street art, sprawling favelas clinging to hillsides, and these pockets of insane wealth that feel completely disconnected from everything else. I spent a good hour just staring at a building that looked like a giant, concrete honeycomb. Seriously.
I checked the weather just now, and it’s… a humid blanket right now. Like, you walk outside and immediately feel like you’re wrapped in a damp towel. Not unpleasant, exactly, just… present. I’m not a fan, but you might be.
Speaking of present, the people. Wow. I overheard someone at a cafe saying, “São Paulo runs on caffeine and desperation.” It’s… not far off. Everyone’s hustling, everyone’s got a story, and everyone’s got an opinion. I got some interesting advice about navigating the metro. Apparently, you need to be “like a ninja” to avoid getting pickpocketed. Thanks, random guy with a fedora.
I spent a lot of time in Vila Madalena, which is supposed to be the artsy district. It’s got a cool vibe, lots of little galleries and bars, but it’s also packed with tourists. Still, I found some amazing street art there. Check out some of the local artists on Instagram - seriously inspiring stuff. I’m thinking of trying to incorporate some of their techniques into my own work.
Food. Okay, we need to talk about the food. I ate so much. Pastel de nata are a must. Seriously, find a good pastelaria and just… indulge. I also had some incredible feijoada - the national dish, basically a bean stew with meat. It’s heavy, but it’s delicious. I found a great little place on Rua Augusta - check out the reviews on Yelp https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants&find_loc=Sao+Paulo,+Sao+Paulo,+Brazil. Someone told me that the best feijoada is always found in the most unassuming places. They weren’t wrong.
I also wandered around Ibirapuera Park, which is a huge green space in the middle of the city. It’s a welcome escape from the concrete jungle. Apparently, it was designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the same architect who designed Brasília. I should have looked into that more. I’m always forgetting to do that.
If you get bored, Campinas and Santos are just a short drive away. I didn’t make it out there this time, but I’ve heard good things.
Things I learned:
Always carry small change. Seriously. For the buses, for the street vendors, for… everything.
Learn a few basic Portuguese phrases. Even just “obrigado” (thank you) goes a long way.
Be aware of your surroundings. It’s a big city, and petty crime is a thing.
Don’t be afraid to get lost. Some of my best discoveries were made when I was completely turned around.
Check out TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g300923-Sao_Paulo_State-Vacations.html for more ideas.
I also stumbled across a forum for expats living in São Paulo https://www.expat.com/forum/brazil-sao-paulo-31/. Might be useful if you’re planning a longer stay.
Honestly, São Paulo is chaotic, overwhelming, and utterly captivating. It’s not a place you just visit*; it’s a place that gets under your skin. I’m already thinking about going back. Maybe next time I’ll actually finish that film location scouting… maybe.