First day in Sao Paulo, 12/02/2008

Trip Start Feb 11, 2008
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of Brazil  ,
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

After getting a bus to the centre of Sao Paulo, we wandered the noisy, bustling streets trying to find our hotel. Homeless people lined the streets, sleeping in the hot muggy 31 degree atmosphere. I am used to seeing the odd homeless person but these were sleeping in rows, almost like dead corpses.
After a few hours of sleep, we headed out to explore the city. We tried to find a tourist information but to no avail. We soon realised that there are not really many sights, unlike other cities I have been to.
We had a wander through the shopping area. Having heard many stories of being mugged and what a dangerous place the cities can be, we were both on our guard all of the time. Luckily we didn't get approached apart from one kid, who came up to me with outstretched arms. I just ignored him and quickly walked away. Homeless people were milling around on streets and in parks, doing their laundry in fountains and hanging it to dry on park railings - quite unusual Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo
 ! I suppose at least they have some personal hygiene standards!
Sao Paulo has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan, with apparently some excellent sushi restaurants. We took the metro (2.40 Real per journey) to Yamaga (rough guide recommendation), where we had a katsu curry, a big tray of sushi and two beers for £25.00 - the food was delicious.
When we arrived back at our local metro station, it was pouring down with rain and we'd both left our umbrellas in the hotel room. After sheltering under a shop front for a while and with no sign of the rain easing, we jumped into a cab just to go around the block to our hotel!
Tip: Always take an umbrella with you!
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